Rigidity of the Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program Directive

Topic

Rigidity of the Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program Directive

Case number

• 2016-121 (F&R date: 2016–07–22)

Issue

The purpose of the Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program (CFIRP) is to minimize the negative financial impact on Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members by enabling them to relocate at a reasonable cost to the public.

In its current form, the CFIRP directive is rigid and has undesirable effects. Simply put, the directive does not allow relocated members to review or adjust their original decisions when necessary based on changes, difficulties or personal circumstances; this hinders their ability to divest themselves of their principal residence.

The Committee believes that CAF members should have the opportunity to review their original decision and claim the allowances that are most compatible with their situation when divesting themselves of their primary residence in the context of a relocation, without exceeding the amounts provided by the directive.

The Committee therefore concluded that section 8.2 of the CFIRP would benefit from a significant overhaul in order to better meet the needs of military members, the CAF and the general public.

Recommendation

The Committee recommended that the Chief of the Defence Staff order the review of section 8.2 of the CFIRP so that amendments be made to enable CAF members to review their original decision, including when they sell their principal residence as part of a relocation, without exceeding the amounts provided by the directive.

Final Authority decision

The Final Authority did not directly address the Committee's systemic recommendation concerning the review of section 8.2 of the CFIRP so that changes could be made enabling but simply wrote that a copy of an earlier decision was sent to the Director General Compensation and Benefits to start discussions with Treasury Committee and substantially improve the CFIRP.