# 2019-138 Pay and Benefits, Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program, Reimbursement of mortgage early repayment penalties

Case summary

F&R Date: 2020-01-21

In 2014, the grievor was posted. He submitted a grievance contesting the denial of reimbursement for Mortgage Early Repayment Penalty (MERP) costs under the Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program (CFIRP) Directive then in effect. The Final Authority (FA) in that grievance found that although the grievor had been treated in accordance with policy, he had not been treated fairly. The FA also concluded that no redress was available. On 19 April 2018, a new version of the CFIRP Directive came into effect, providing for reimbursement of MERP costs. The grievor submitted a new grievance, seeking retroactive application of the new policy to his 2014 posting.

The Committee found that there was no authority to reimburse the grievor for his 2014 MERP costs under the 19 April 2018 CFIRP Directive.

FA decision summary

The FA found that the MERP policy in effect at the relevant time had been unfair but that the policy correction had not been retroactive and there was no Treasury Board authority to extend benefits beyond the approved framework.