# 2021-130 Careers, Meal Expenses

Case summary

F&R Date: 2022-06-07

The grievor complained that his Commanding Officer's (CO) refusal to delay his Report for Duty (RFD) date on posting forced him to relocate and stay in quarters, without his dependants and household goods and effects. As redress, the grievor sought reimbursement for his meals and the weekend travel costs he incurred to return to his family.

The Initial Authority (IA), the Director General Compensation and Benefits, found that the grievor was not entitled to a meal allowance because he proceeded unaccompanied to his place of duty and was provided quarters at public expense. The IA also determined that the decision to maintain the RFD date rested with the CO and that the grievor was not entitled to compensation for weekend travel costs.

The Committee first found that the CO's reasons for not delaying the RFD date were logical and that, because there were no service reasons for the grievor to undertake weekend travel, he was not entitled to travel benefits. Noting that Canadian Armed Forces members who have dependants and proceed unaccompanied to their new place of duty are entitled to benefits listed in Compensation and Benefits Instructions 208.997, the Committee found that the benefits include quarters and other minor miscellaneous expenses, but not a meal allowance.

The Committee recommended that the Final Authority not afford redress.

FA decision summary

The Chief of the Defence Staff, acting as Final Authority, agreed with the Committee's findings and recommendation.