# 2019-225 Pay and Benefits, Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program, House Hunting Trip, Imposed restriction

Case summary

F&R Date: 2020-02-25

The grievor was posted to a new location and was granted imposed restriction (IR) status. He secured accommodations a couple of weeks prior to proceeding on a house-hunting trip (HHT) and therefore conducted a destination inspection trip (DIT) instead. The Director Compensation and Benefits Administration denied reimbursement for his DIT expenses on the basis that that the Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program (CFIRP) did not permit reimbursement of DITs for unaccompanied members who had secured semi-permanent accommodations at the new location.

The Committee found that Chapter 11 of the CFIRP, which governs unaccompanied moves, specifies two limitations on benefits for unaccompanied members and that otherwise benefits are as per Chapter 4. Neither limitation restricted the grievor's entitlement to a DIT in these circumstances.

Consequently, the Committee recommended that the Final Authority (FA) authorize reimbursement of the grievor's DIT expenses.

FA decision summary

The FA agreed with the Committee that section 11.2 of the CFIRP provides that benefits for unaccompanied moves are the same as for other moves except where limitations or enhancements are specified. Chapter 4 sets out the standard benefits for moves and the limitations to this are set out in articles 11.2.08 and 11.2.09, neither of which applied to the grievor's case. The standard benefits provide that a member who has secured accommodation may convert an HHT to a DIT, and therefore the grievor was entitled to a DIT.