Posting and relocation – frequently asked questions

As a Regular Force member, postings are an integral part of your employment and career progression. If personal or family circumstances arise which could affect your ability to be posted, let your chain of command know. If you want to ask for the cancellation of your posting, submit your request in writing as soon as possible.

Your chain of command can outline the steps to follow and the information required to support your request. If more detailed recommendations are required about personal, sensitive, or medical information, your commanding officer may refer you to a social worker. The social worker will draft a report for your commanding officer to make a recommendation and to forward to the Director Military Careers authority for consideration.

While your request is being considered, you may discuss questions or updates with your chain of command.

If your posting cancellation request is denied by the Director Military Careers, you may request clarification through your chain of command. You may provide new or additional information to your career manager via your chain of command for consideration.

If you remain unsatisfied with the decision, you can submit a grievance. Refer to our Redress of Grievance information for more details.

If there are exceptional reasons that prevent you from addressing your concerns through regular channels (for instance, time sensitivity, health, security, or financial concerns for you or your family), you can contact our office by phone or in writing. We can assist when there are compelling circumstances to ensure 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.

The Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group (CAF TG) has a mandate to support all members with professional services as they transition from active duty to post-military life or prepare members for return to duty. The Canadian Armed Forces Transition Centres (CAF TC) provide personal administrative support and programs to ill and injured CAF members. CAF members do not have to be posted to the CAF TC in order to receive services.

The CAF TG offers a full suite of services to support:

• serving or retired members;
• healthy, ill, and injured members; and
• the families of deceased members.

For more information on accessing services, visit the Military career transition and the CAF TC websites.

If there are exceptional reasons that prevent you from addressing your concerns through regular channels (for instance, time sensitivity, health, security, or financial concerns for you or your family), you can contact our office by phone or in writing. We can assist when there are compelling circumstances to ensure 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.

The Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group (CAF TG) supports all members with professional services as they transition from active duty to post-military life or prepare members for return to duty. The Canadian Armed Forces Transition Centres (CAF TC) provide personal administrative support and programs to ill and injured CAF members. CAF members do not have to be posted to the CAF TC in order to receive services.

The Director Military Career (D Mil C) approves the posting of an ill or injured CAF member to the CAF TC based on the recommendation of the member’s unit commanding officer and medical authority. The member’s career manager forwards the recommendation for D Mil C approval.

Those posted to the CAF TC are under the command of the nearest CAF TC Support Platoon. While some of these members may eventually be released due to their medical condition, the primary objective of a CAF TC is to provide support to the member throughout recovery in order to enable a return to duty.

For direction regarding postings to the CAF TG, consult:

• For Reserve Force members: CANFORGEN 166/22 - Posting Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Members (Mbrs) to the CAF Transition Group (CAF TG) (available on the Defence Team Intranet or via the CAF Mobile App).
• For Regular Force members: Canadian Forces Military Personnel Instruction (CF Mil Pers Instr) 04/22 - Posting Regular Force (Reg F) Members to the Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group (CAF TG) (available via the Defence Team Intranet).
• In all cases, the member’s commanding officer must initiate the posting request.

As CAF TG has recently been stood up, posting administration policies and processes are under review. If you are ill or injured and believe that you should be posted to the CAF TG, discuss this with your chain of command or your local CAF TC They will be able to provide further instruction on the process.

If there are exceptional reasons that prevent you from addressing your concerns through regular channels such as time sensitivity, health, security, or financial concerns for you or your family, you can contact our office by phone or in writing. We can assist when there are compelling circumstances to ensure 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.

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, under 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.

Separation Expense is a benefit administered by base or wing administrative staff. This benefit reimburses members for some additional living expenses resulting from short-term separation from their dependents as well as household goods and effects. It is applied following relocation within Canada in order to reimburse expenses such as quarters or accommodation, parking, basic internet, cable, cellular or land-line telephone connection expenses, up to the maximum allowable amount.

There are several criteria that you must meet in order to be entitled to the Separation Expense benefit:

1. You must be a Regular Force member or a Reservist on Class “C” Reserve Service who is eligible for Imposed Restriction Status.
2. Your career manager must have approved your Imposed Restriction Status.
3. Your immediate former place of duty must be in Canada or outside Canada, and in relation to that place of duty, the move of the member’s Dependents, Household Goods and Effects ((D)HG&E) was prohibited.
4. You must have a principal residence in Canada.
5. If you are a Reservist, you must be posted to or on Class “C” Reserve Service at a new place of duty in Canada.
6. You must be entitled to a move of dependents, household goods and effects at public expense to the new place of duty.
7. The move of your dependents, household goods and effects at public expense to the new place of duty is, for service reasons, prohibited or restricted pursuant to orders or instructions issued by the Chief of the Defence Staff.
8. You are not moving your dependents, household goods and effects to the new place of duty.
9. You occupy an accommodation at a new place of duty.
10. A dependent lives in the principal residence on a full-time basis.

For more information, review the Compensation and Benefits Instruction 208.997 - Separation Expense. As well, the Imposed Restrictions – Frequently Asked Questions, which is accessible only on the Chief of Military Personnel Intranet site.

If your request was denied, you can ask for clarification through your chain of command. An informal request is often the most efficient way to receive a response to your questions. If you have new or additional information to add to your request, you can provide this information to your career manager by way of your chain of command.

If you remain unsatisfied with the decision, you can submit a grievance to your Commanding Officer. For more information, refer to our Frequently Asked Questions related to Redress of Grievance.

Under the Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program (CFIRP)

Review the Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program (CFIRP) Directive or discuss your questions with your BGRS Relocation Services provider and CFIRP Relocation Coordinator. The contact list is under the Relocation Management tab on the Military Personnel Command website. It is accessible only on the Defence Team Intranet.

In addition, you can find benefit information by visiting the Know your Benefits - Relocation and the Children Education Management – Inside Canada websites.

Under the Compensation and Benefits Instructions (CBI)

Review the Compensation and Benefits Instruction 208 – Section 8, and then address any questions you may have to your orderly room staff.

Under Military Foreign Service (OUTCAN)

Review the information found on CAF Connection website. There is detailed information if you are moving to Europe or to the United States. For other locations, contact the Military Foreign Services Section that is accessible only on the Defence Team Intranet. You can also engage with your OUTCAN Coordination and Support (URS) and review the OUTCAN Coordination and Support Unit SharePoint (accessible only on the Defence Team Intranet).

The CBI 10 – Military Foreign Service Instructions provides information about OUTCAN benefits. As well, the Foreign Service Directives applies to Canadian Armed Forces members if specifically referred to in the corresponding Military Foreign Service Instructions.

First, contact your BGRS agent for help navigating the on-line portal and addressing your concerns. You can also contact your base or wing Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program (CFIRP) Coordinator. The contact list is under the Relocation Management tab on the Military Personnel Command website that is accessible only on the Defence Team Intranet).

If you still cannot find the information you need or you wish to submit a complaint, contact the Director Relocation Business Management (DRBM) by e-mail at DRBM2_DGAR2_DPRFC@forces.gc.ca.

For general information about postings and relocation, refer to our ABCs of Military Postings and the Postings and Assignments outside of Canada. As well, you can review the Director Military Careers – Posting page that is accessible only on the Defence Team Intranet.

Postings to an Isolated Post or Isolated Unit often require a screening process. The DND 4176 – Posting Screening for Isolated Posting and Isolated Units is available on the Defence Forms Catalogue. This application form is accessible only on the Defence Team Intranet. As for related benefits, read CBI 11 - Isolated Post Instructions for more information.

The Post Living Differential (PLD) is a benefit paid monthly to eligible Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members who live within established Post Living Differential Areas (PLDAs).

Compensation and Benefits Instructions (CBI) 205.45 defines a PLDA as “a location in Canada within the boundaries of a place of duty where the cost of living exceeds that of the Standard City cost of living”. The Standard City is the National Capital Region (Ottawa/Gatineau).

The purpose of the PLD is to reduce the negative financial impact on CAF members and their families when they are posted to a region with a cost of living above the national average. PLD rates are taxable and are set annually based on a Treasury Board-approved methodology. These rates do not apply to isolated posts.

For more information about the PLD, review CBI 205.45 and the PLDA maps. You can access these documents only on the Defence Team Intranet.

A Regular Force member whose principal residence is located within a Post Living Differential Area (PLDA) may be eligible for Post Living Differential (PLD). This eligibility will be subject to Compensation and Benefits Instructions (CBI) 205.45 (7) to (19) according to the rate established for that area.

A Reserve Force member who has authorization to move their household goods and effects at public expense to their place of duty for a period of Class “B” or Class “C” Reserve Service may be eligible for PLD. This eligibility will be subject to Compensation and Benefits Instructions (CBI) 205.45 (6) to (19). The PLD entitlement will apply to the Reserve Force member’s period of reserve service so long as:

• the member’s place of duty is within a PLDA;
• the member’s principal residence is located within that PLDA;
• the move is for a period of Class “B” or Class “C” service; and
• the move is not authorized as a return move.

Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members are entitled to receive 75 per cent of their PLD if they jointly live in a principal residence with another member who is also entitled to PLD. This includes service couples.

Learn more about PLD eligibility criteria and exceptions by reading Compensation and Benefits Instructions (CBI) 205.45 (7) to (19). In addition, review the PLDA maps that are accessible only on the Defence Team Intranet. Since these maps serve only as guides, you should consult with your base or wing administrators prior to taking any decision about moving to a location within a PLDA.

You can find the current rates (April 2008) for various Post Living Differential Areas and Transitional Post Differential Areas across Canada in Compensation and Benefits Instructions (CBI) 205.45.

Due to the notable cost of living discrepancies between military locations across the country, the “Post Living Differential” (PLD) was implemented in June 2000. As described in Compensation and Benefits Instructions (CBI) 205.45(3), the PLD allowance is scheduled to be set annually according to a methodology approved by the Treasury Board.

In April 2010, the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces froze PLD rates at their 2009 levels. This on-going freeze is allowing the DND, the CAF, and the Treasury Board to review how the PLD is calculated. The review is still ongoing.

Under the Canadian Armed Forces Relocation Directive (CAFRD) Chapter 2. Administration, you must follow two steps in order to obtain approval to live outside the geographical boundaries of your new place of duty:

1. You must submit your request in a memorandum to your gaining unit commanding officer who has the authority to approve or deny such requests.
2. If approved, you must submit your request by way of your Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program (CFIRP) Coordinator to Director Compensation and Benefits Administration (DCBA). This second approval will authorize you to relocate your household goods and effects.

Living outside the boundaries of your new place of duty may affect your eligibility for the Post Living Differential. Consult your orderly room staff to get clarification from the DCBA before making any commitments.

For more information, review the Compensation and Benefits Instructions (CBI) 205.45 and the Post Living Differential Areas maps. You can access these documents only on the Defence Team Intranet.

If your request for a Post Living Differential (PLD) allowance has been denied, confirm that you are eligible according to Compensation and Benefits Instructions (CBI) 205.45. You can request the reasons for the denial through your chain of command. You can also ask your chain of command to send a review request to the Director Pay Policy and Development (DPPD).

If you are not satisfied with the decision, you can submit a grievance to your Commanding Officer. For more information, refer to our Frequently Asked Questions about Redress of Grievance.

If your Post Living Differential (PLD) allowance has stopped and a period of the payment is being recovered, confirm that you are still eligible according to Compensation and Benefits Instructions (CBI) 205.45. You can request the reasons for the decision and discuss a possible payment plan through your chain of command. You can also ask your chain of command to send a review request to the Director Pay Policy and Development (DPPD).

If you are not satisfied with the decision, you can submit a grievance to your Commanding Officer. For more information, refer to our Frequently Asked Questions about Redress of Grievance.

Regular and Reserve Force members, foreign military or exchange personnel as well as employees of Military Family Resource Centres, Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services, and the Government of Canada are among those who are eligible to apply to live in residential housing units (RHUs) or military housing. The Canadian Forces Housing Agency (CFHA) manages military housing on behalf of the Department of National Defence.

Learn about military housing eligibility criteria on the CFHA website.

Note: Military housing is available for members and employees permanently posted or residing in an area. They are different than Single Quarters (commonly known as barracks) which are furnished residential, training and transient quarters that are managed, operated and maintained under the authority of the base or wing commander.

The Canadian Forces Housing Agency (CFHA) helps applicants who are moving to a new location find a suitable home as soon as possible.

There are 27 military housing locations across Canada. Each local CFHA assigns housing using the three priorities listed on the CFHA’s website.

Visit the Canadian Forces Housing Agency’s website for the complete list of 27 military housing locations across Canada as well as to learn how to apply for military housing.

The Canadian Forces Housing Agency (CFHA) manages military housing through local CFHA - Housing Services Centres. Housing Services Centres assign units on a priority basis and by household size. Each Centre processes applications with the same priority on a first-come, first-served basis, rather than by rank or position.

For example, if a family with two children applies for a house on Monday, and another family of the same size applies on Tuesday, the family who applied on Monday will receive the first offer. If the household size is different, the family offered housing first will depend on the size of the unit available.

The cost of military housing varies from location to location, based on the unit size as well as other factors such as local market value.

According to government policy and Department of National Defence regulations, rent for all military housing must reflect market value for similar homes in the area. You can find rent costs for specific locations across Canada on the Canadian Forces Housing Agency’s website.

Rent is subject to annual adjustments. You can learn more about updates to the annual rent adjustment process as well as increase limits by reading Rent Adjustments.

If you move into the local housing market, the Canadian Forces Housing Agency (CFHA) may still consider your application for military housing. However, you must reapply and as a result this means your priority status will change.

You should also note that requesting military housing after living in the local market may change your relocation benefits. To learn more about this potential change, contact your Orderly Room support staff in order to schedule a meeting with your Base or Wing Canadian Armed Forces Relocation Coordinator.

For more information, review CFHA’s priority categories.

Housing Repairs and Maintenance: Your local Housing Services Centre is your first point of contact for housing repairs and maintenance. The Housing Services Centre will schedule your work based on repair and maintenance priorities. For more information on repairs and maintenance, visit the Canadian Forces Housing Agency (CFHA)’s website.

Delays in resolving housing issues: If you are not satisfied with the amount of time it is taking to resolve a housing issue you have reported, follow the steps in the CFHA complaint resolution process.

Emergency maintenance: If you have an emergency maintenance issue outside of regular business hours, call the Emergency after-hours response service toll-free at 1-800-903-2342. Please limit your requests for emergency maintenance to problems that affect health and safety, or that will cause significant damage to your home. Visit the Emergency after-hours response service page for more information.

The Canadian Forces Housing Agency (CFHA) considers the health and safety of families and communities first when scheduling maintenance and repairs. This includes evaluating if the repair is essential for your family’s health and safety as well as whether it will prevent further deterioration of your home. The local Housing Services Centre will plan work based on repair and maintenance priorities. To learn more or make a request for repairs, please consult Requesting repairs or maintenance for your unit.

In non-urgent circumstances, CFHA will schedule work based on other factors. For example:

• Would waiting until there is a change in occupancy reduce disruptions to families?
• Is the work required to meet current codes or standards?
• Will the work benefit both current and future households?
• Can the work be done using the home’s current structure?
• Can the work be completed while the home is occupied?

For questions about work scheduling, contact your local Housing Services Centre. You can also communicate with the CFHA Head Office Customer Service team by e-mail at CFHA-ALFC.HOPSCS-GLSC@forces.gc.ca or by phone toll-free at 1-888-459-2342.

You may have several reasons to be concerned about your military housing unit. Your concerns may be personal or they may be community-related, for example, involving things like pets or noise. You may also have problems with Canadian Forces Housing Agency (CFHA) programs, services, or decisions. To make a complaint, follow the steps in the CFHA complaint resolution process.

If you have submitted a complaint to CFHA and wish to escalate your complaint to Step Two, you must submit your complaint in writing to the Head Office Customer Service section at CFHA-ALFC.HOPSCS-GLSC@forces.gc.ca.

Government departments and agencies receive budgets for specific activities.

At the Canadian Forces Housing Agency (CFHA), there is a budget for planned activities such as additions or renovations to meet current codes and standards. Building a new garage is an example. The CFHA also has a budget for repairs, maintenance, and emergency work, such as replacing a furnace.

Since the demand for work and improvements to housing units is greater than the amount provided for in their budget, the CFHA looks at the health and safety of its families and communities first when setting work priorities.

For more information, contact the CFHA Head Office Customer Service team by e-mail at CFHA-ALFC.HOPSCS-GLSC@forces.gc.ca or by phone toll-free at 1-888-459-2342.

The Licence to Occupy that you signed with the Canadian Forces Housing Agency (CFHA) before you took possession of your unit describes why you may have to vacate it.

Paragraph 11 says the Minister may “terminate this Licence without notice upon breach of any term thereof by the Occupant, or by giving at least a 30-day written notice to the occupant.”

In addition, a change in your occupant status may mean that you will receive a vacate notice. For example, this may be due to a change in your priority status, a change in your family status or size due to divorce or the birth of a child, or a change in your employment status such as a release from the Canadian Armed Forces.

For more information, review the CFHA Occupant Handbook or contact the Canadian Forces Housing Agency.

Yes, you are still responsible.

If your house will be unoccupied for a period longer than 48 hours, you must ensure your residence is checked daily so that emergencies can be dealt with promptly.

Let your local Housing Services Centre (HSC) know the name and telephone number of someone who can provide access to your home while you are away. Otherwise, you will be held responsible for whatever your HSC may spend to gain access to your unit in an emergency situation, as well as all related damages.

While you are away, you are also responsible for the maintenance of your lawn, sidewalks, steps, and driveway.

For more information on your rights and responsibilities as a tenant, please read the Canadian Forces Housing Agency (CFHA) Occupant Handbook.

It is part of your occupant’s responsibilities to provide your Housing Services Centre with emergency contact information if you plan to be away for more than 48 hours.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be entitled to benefits for the care and maintenance of your home. For example:

• Custodial Expense (CE): The CE benefit covers expenses for maintaining a vacant residence while on deployment outside Canada. This may include contracting for snow removal, lawn maintenance, security, minor maintenance, and additional insurance costs. For more information, review Compensation and Benefits Instruction (CBI) 10, article 10.28.01 of the Military Foreign Service Instructions.
• Incidental Expense Allowance: In the case of Temporary Duty (TD) or an attached-posting in Canada or the continental USA, you could be entitled to the incidental expense allowance. As defined in articles 5.16 and 7.16 of the Canadian Forces Temporary Duty Travel Instructions as well as by the National Joint Council Travel Directive, the incidental expense allowance reimbursement of costs for work-related travel that are not otherwise covered under these directives. Examples include but are not limited to, grass cutting, snow removal, home security checks, and plant watering.

For more information on benefit entitlements and limitations that are specific to your case, contact your base or wing orderly room staff.

It is part of your occupant’s responsibilities to provide your Housing Services Centre with emergency contact information if you plan to be away for more than 48 hours.

At a minimum, before leaving your home you should:

• Visit your local Canadian Forces Housing Agency (CFHA) office;
• Have someone check the residence daily and be available to deal with emergencies on a 24/7 basis;
• Close your water shutoff;
• Drain your pipes;
• Reduce your home’s temperature to no less than 15 degrees Celsius;
• Unplug all small appliances;
• Ensure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly;
• Have someone maintain your lawn, sidewalks, steps, and driveway; and
• Ask your property insurance company if you require additional insurance during your absence.