Part A—Before you receive your posting instruction

Updating your budget by completing SISIP’s Financial budget worksheet is an excellent way to get ready for your posting.

Consider using your completed budget sheet as a starting point for discussing your financial situation with a financial advisor during a SISIP Financial counselling session. You can schedule your session by:

• connecting with yourlocal SISIP office directly,
• booking an appointment on line, or
• calling 1-800-267-6681.

If you are struggling financially due to the challenges of serving in the CAF, you or your family can apply for financial help through Support Our Troops.

When completing your budget sheet, be sure to include gains or losses that are the results of allowances. Allowance rates may vary according to factors like your posting location, including the Canadian Forces Housing Differential (CFHD) as described in CBI 205.453. Check with your unit or base orderly room staff. Also review information on the Provisional Post Living Differential (PPLD) as described in CBI 205.4535, which was created to ease financial stress for CAF members affected by the transition to the new CFHD.

Be aware of the impact of tax rates on your income when you move to another location. You can find more taxation information by consulting Tax implications guide on relocation benefits for military personnel. You can also learn more by consulting Money and Finances on the Canada.ca website.

You and every eligible member of your family can apply for a CF One card for access to discounts, savings, rewards, and programs exclusive to the Defence community.

If you cannot move your dependants to your new place of duty right away, you may ask for a delay in moving your dependents as well as household goods and effects ((D)HG&E). This is called an “imposed restriction” on your move. If your request is approved, you may be entitled to Separation Expense to help you pay for expenses while you live un-accompanied at your new place of duty. Examples of such expenses are quarters or accommodation, parking, basic internet, cable, cellular or land-line telephone connection expenses, up to the maximum allowable amount. Separation Expense is a benefit administered by base or wing administrative staff.

You can learn about the criteria you must meet to be entitled to the Separation Expense benefits as well as other important information by consulting article 208.997 of Compensation and Benefits Instruction (CBI) chapter 208 - Relocation Benefits.

Two distinct relocation policies govern CAF moves:

• CBI Chapter 208 and
• CAFRD.

To find out which directive applies to your situation, consult the CAFRD FAQ.

CBI Chapter 208 Moves

This directive covers untrained members (members not yet qualified) and members whose moves are prohibited. Learn more by reviewing the CBI Chapter 208 and by contacting your orderly room staff.

CAFRD Moves

The CAFRD describes Treasury Board’s policy on the relocation of dependents and Household Goods and Effects (HG&E) for CAF members. Learn more by contacting your base or wing relocation coordinators available only on the Defence Team Intranet, or your orderly room staff. If you do not have access to the Intranet, your orderly room staff can provide a list of relocation coordinators. Section 2.2 of the CAFRD describes the responsibilities of the various parties who must work cooperatively to relocate military personnel and their families. This includes relocation coordinators and CAF members.

Note:  Service couples can split their HG&E to relocate independently when they are posted to two separate places of duty. Contact your BGRS service provider and review the CAFRD Chapter 10 – Service Couples for more information.

Separation Expense and delay in moving your D, HG&E

Imposed Restriction is an approved delay in moving dependents as well as household goods and effects for one calendar year, with the possibility of extension up to a maximum of five calendar years. Imposed Restriction is a status, not a benefit. As such, the member’s career manager, representing the Director Military Careers, must approve it. Imposed Restriction is an extension of the Restricted Move status. Members can apply for Imposed Restriction status through their chain of command by completing a Request for Imposed Restriction Status Memorandum and the Imposed Restriction Status Questionnaire.

Imposed Restriction is not designed, nor is it intended, to permanently separate families.

You may be eligible for Imposed Restriction status if:

1. you are a Regular Force member or Class “C” Reservist,
2. you are not on your first posting after reaching your Operationally Functional Point, or
3. you are not on your first posting after re-enrollment in or transfer to the Regular Force.

The Imposed Restriction policy applies to all members of the Canadian Armed Forces who:

1. are posted between two locations within Canada, or
2. were prohibited from moving their dependent and/or Household Goods & Effects (HG&E) to an OUTCAN posting and were posted back to a location in Canada which is different from that of their dependent or HG&E.

For more information, review the Canadian Forces Military Personnel Instructions 01/17 – Imposed Restrictions (IR) and the Imposed Restrictions – Frequently Asked Questions. These documents are accessible only on the Chief of Military Personnel Intranet site. Your base or wing orderly room staff is your first point of contact in terms of applying for Imposed Restriction.

If you are unsatisfied with the decision and you can demonstrate your request was not processed in an impartial manner, you may file a grievance. Consult with a Conflict and Complaint Management Services (CCMS) Centre agent for support and guidance about the grievance process. Be aware that the grievance process is time sensitive and that this process may not correspond with the timeframe of your relocation. For more information, consult our web site’s Complaint mechanism and oversight page.

Every member’s situation is unique. If there are exceptional reasons that prevent you from addressing your career concerns through regular channels such as time sensitivity, health, security, or financial concerns for you or your family, you can contact our office by telephone or in writing. In cases where compelling reasons exist, our office can ensure that all relevant parties know about your circumstances and that the proper process is being followed to assist the appropriate authority in taking an informed decision.

Things you should consider before you move

• Consult the CAFRD as soon as possible.
• Prepare any questions before your first meeting with BGRS.
• Review the Relocation Assistance Document (RAD).
• Review the “Relocation Management” tab of the “Benefits - Generic” page available only on the Defence Team Intranet.
• Start thinking about possible moving dates. Do you or your family have commitments or events that you need to consider before you relocate? Examples include an upcoming childbirth or adoption, a scheduled surgery, or a child’s graduation. You can discuss the possibility of a reporting date change with your chain of command, if necessary.
• Make an inventory of your belongings. Are there things such as a pool table, for example, that you cannot or do not wish to move to your new home?
• Think about the things like a children’s play structure that you may have to disassemble.
• Ask your moving company if there are any restrictions around moving dangerous goods.

Buying

Compare your current house or rental prices with those in your new place of duty. Review the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) Buying a home and the Canadian Real Estate Magazine for useful information.

Keep in mind the following factors:

• Some financial institutions will consider your family to be a single income family if your spouse or partner does not have proof of employment at the new place of duty.
• Comparing house prices on theCanadian Real Estate Association's website may give you an indication of a potential financial gain or loss if you sell your home.
• You may wish to use the Homebuying Calculators provided by the CMHC to determine your mortgage, affordability, and debt service costs.
• Canadian Defence Community Banking (CDCB)offers exclusive mortgage rates for military members, including portable mortgages and the possibility of a mortgage break without penalty, if you are relocated under the CAF Relocation Directive.
• Find out about province and territory specific information for condominium buyers.

Renting

Keep in mind the following factors:

• the availability of military housing at your new location; and
• the cost of renting a home with its related rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords as well as rental practices across Canada.

Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS) provides information on Employment for Military & Veteran Spouses. To find information on employment resources specific to your community, go to CFMWS and ‘select your community’ at the top of the web page.

As of 1 March 2024, spouses and partners of CAF members who are relocating have access to a new career coaching tool called CareerCOACH+ offering services to assist them in finding and maintaining meaningful careers. Learn more at CFMWS | Career Development | CFMWS.

Military Spousal/Partner Employment has information and resources. Check with provincial or territorial agencies about Professional Accreditations.

Consult as well our information on Employment insurance available to military families.

Review Education by Province to ensure a seamless school transition when you relocate your family.

Notify your child’s school or daycare about your move as soon as possible and request a copy of their records. Make this request before starting your House Hunting Trip (HHT). It will be needed when you register your children at their future school. If your child has special needs, ask what services will be available at the destination. Need some assistance? The Family Information Line (FIL) is available to you 24/7.

As of 1 March 2021, if you are separated or divorced and have children you must tell your former spouse or partner if you are moving, even if you are moving without the children. Learn more at Information for families. The Department of Justice has prepared the following three forms:

• Notice of Relocation Form,
• Objection to Relocation Form, and
• Notice of change in place of residence: Person with Contact.

Review Health care for military families as well as Military families’ access to health care to learn about health care services available at your new location.

Ask your current medical care providers for copies of your family’s medical, vaccination, and dental records, as well as any current prescriptions. Confirm how to transfer files to your new care providers.

Whatever your relationship and parental status, find information about your local MFRC by selecting your new community at the top of the webpage. These Centres help every member of the Defence community. They provide useful information about employment opportunities, schools, special needs, childcare, as well as a variety of social and community activities.

Military Family Services (MFS) also supports parents of CAF members.

• Local MFRCs offer information and resources for children and youth, including information for families with children with special needs, programs and services for youth of military families, a guide to working with military kids, youth crisis texting service, and relocation resources.
• The Support Our Troops assistance program can also help you and your family face the challenges of military service. 
• The FIL can support you and your family in areas such as finances, logistics, and support for families with special needs. The FIL can be reached 24/7 at 1-800-866-4546 (North America), 00-800-771-17722 (international) or by e-mail at FIL-LIF@cfmws.com.
• Learn about military life by consulting A Family Guide to the Military Experience.
• Join the #MyVoice Facebook group, open to all military families. Your input can help improve programs and services for you and your family.
• CFMWS and MFS also provide information about available resources and services through their social media
• Seamless Canada has province and territory specific information on MFRCs, spousal/partner employment, youth and child education, and healthcare.