April 30, 2009
The Travel Directive is applicable to employees who are travelling outside Canada normally for periods of less than 31 consecutive days on government business. (For example, an auditor travelling internationally for an extended period from location to location would be subject to the NJC Travel Directive.)
FSD 8 is applicable to employees who are assigned outside Canada to an office of the Government of Canada at a post for a short-term for periods greater than 30 days, but less than one year. (For example, an employee assigned to the Mission in London, England for 5 months would be subject to FSD 8.)
| Provisions | Travel Directive | FSD 8 Assignment | FSD 8 Assignment |
| Periods less than 31 consecutive days | More than 30 consecutive days and less than 121 consecutive days | In excess of 120 consecutive days, but less than one year | |
| Travel |
· Employer makes travel arrangements most economical and practical means available (Sections 3.3.11 and 3.4.11) |
· Choice between employer making travel arrangements or a non-accountable allowance equivalent to full economy Y fare, 2 days accommodation and meals as per FSD 15 – Relocation |
· Choice between employer making travel arrangements or a non-accountable allowance equivalent to full economy Y fare, 2 days accommodation and meals as per FSD 15 – Relocation |
| Incidental Expense Allowance (TD)or Incidental Relocation Expense Allowance (FSD) |
· Provides for a daily incidental expense allowance as per Appendices C and D (Sections 3.3.7 and 3.4.7) |
· Employees receive an allowance of $250.00 when initially going to assignment location and upon return to Canada |
· Employees receive 50% ($1,419) of the Incidental Relocation Expense Allowance as specified in FSD 15.31 initially going to assignment location and upon return to Canada |
| Shipment of household effects |
· Not applicable |
· Shipment of up to 150 kilos (net) of household effects as accompanying baggage or air cargo in addition to the maximum baggage transported free by the carrier |
Shipment of up to 50% of the limit for furnished accommodation in accordance with FSD 15.14 |
| Storage of household effects |
· Not applicable |
· When storage of household effects is approved under special circumstances, the employee must pay shelter cost as per FSD 25 provisions · If an employee has effects in Long Term Storage, the shelter cost applies as per FSD 25 starting on the first day after arrival at post (unusual circumstances) |
· Storage of household effects and a PMV can be authorized if a principal residence is not being maintained · If an employee has effects in Long Term Storage, the shelter cost applies as per FSD 25 starting on the first day after arrival at post |
| Accommodation |
· Refer to all entitlements under Sections 3.3.1 and 3.4.1 · The standard is a single room, in a safe environment, conveniently located and comfortably equipped. |
· The standard is a single room, in a safe environment, conveniently located and comfortably equipped. · Every effort will be made to place the employee in Crown accommodation where available |
· The standard is a single room, in a safe environment, conveniently located and comfortably equipped. · Every effort will be made to place the employee in Crown accommodation where available |
| Meal Allowance |
· Meal Allowance as per Appendices C and D · 100% up to day 30 and 75% from day 31 (Sections 3.3.9 and 3.4.9) · Expectation to go into self contained after 30 days when available |
· Employee receives the daily meal allowance as specified in Appendix C and D of the Travel Directive for the first 30 days · Employees in hotel accommodation without meal preparation facilities – receive 75% of the daily meal allowance from the 31st day · Employees in self-contained accommodation – receive 75% of daily meal allowance from day 31 to day 120 · If there isn't an established meal allowance for the country or if there are sudden changes in currency exchange rates, actual and reasonable expenses can be claimed with receipts |
· Employee receives the daily meal allowance as specified in Appendix C and D of the Travel Directive for the first 30 days · Employees in hotel accommodation without meal preparation facilities – receive 75% of the daily meal allowance from the 31st day · Employees in self-contained accommodation receive 50% of the daily meal allowance starting on day 121 · If there isn't an established meal allowance for the country or if there are sudden changes in currency exchange rates, actual and reasonable expenses can be claimed with receipts |
| Laundry and Dry Cleaning | · Not applicable (forms part of daily incidental allowance) |
· Reimbursement of actual costs for laundry (accommodation with no laundry facilities) · Reimbursement of 50% of the actual costs of dry cleaning (if significantly exceeds those in Headquarters) |
· Reimbursement of actual costs for laundry (accommodation with no laundry facilities) · Reimbursement of 50% of the actual costs of dry cleaning (if costs significantly exceed those in Headquarters) |
| Transportation (TD) or Commuting Assistance (FSD) |
· Transportation as authorized (Sections 3.3.11 and 3.4.11) |
· Covers excess home/office commuting costs, (in accordance with FSD 30) | · Covers excess home/office commuting costs, (in accordance with FSD 30) |
| Weekend Travel Home / Weekend Travel – alternatives |
· If assigned to continental USA, authorized once every 3 weeks on average subject to the provisions of NJC Travel Directive · All other locations 7 weeks = 1 trip (minimum) 12 weeks = 2 trips 17 weeks = 3 trips 22 weeks = 4 trips (maximum) (Sections 3.3.12- 13 and 3.4.12) |
· No longer requires that a dependant resides in principal residence · If assigned to continental USA, authorized once every 3 weeks on average subject to the provisions of NJC Travel Directive · All other locations 7 weeks = 1 trip (minimum) 12 weeks = 2 trips 17 weeks = 3 trips |
· No longer requires that a dependant resides in principal residence · If assigned to continental USA, authorized once every 3 weeks on average subject to the provisions of the NJC Travel Directive · All other locations 7 weeks = 1 trip (minimum) 12 weeks = 2 trips 17 weeks = 3 trips 22 weeks = 4 trips (maximum) |
| Home communication |
· Module 4 –Reimbursement of the equivalent of one 10‑minute phone call home, based on receipts, over each contiguous three-day period away from home (Section 3.4.6) · Module 3 – Included in incidental expense allowance (Section 3.3.6) |
· Reimbursement of the equivalent of one 10‑minute phone call home, based on receipts, over each contiguous three-day period away from home when travel is outside Canada and the U.S. A. · Included in incidental relocation expense allowance when travel is in the continental U.S.A. · As per NJC Travel Directive |
· Reimbursement of the equivalent of one 10-minute phone call home, based on receipts, over each contiguous three-day period away from home when travel is outside Canada and the U.S.A. · Included in incidental relocation expense allowance when travel is in the continental U.S.A. · As per NJC Travel Directive |
| Dependant Care |
· An employee who is required to travel on government business shall be reimbursed actual and reasonable dependant-care expenses up to a daily maximum of $35 Canadian, per household, with a declaration, or up to a daily maximum of $75 Canadian, per household (Sections 3.3.6 and 3.4.6) |
· An employee who is required to travel on government business shall be reimbursed actual and reasonable dependant-care expenses up to a daily maximum of $35 Canadian, per household, with a declaration, or up to a daily maximum of $75 Canadian, per household, with a receipt as per the NJC Travel Directive | · An employee who is required to travel on government business shall be reimbursed actual and reasonable dependant-care expenses up to a daily maximum of $35 Canadian, per household, with a declaration, or up to a daily maximum of $75 Canadian, per household, with a receipt as per the NJC Travel Directive |
| Medical and Health Care |
· Provisions of PSHCP and relevant government insurance programs · Pre-posting exams not required |
· Provisions of PSHCP and relevant government insurance programs · Pre-posting exams not required |
· Provisions of PSHCP and relevant government insurance programs · Authorization of FSD 9 – Medical and dental examinations - to posts designated as unhealthy under FSD 38 – Preventive medical services expenses |
| Foreign Service Premium (FSP) |
· Not applicable |
· Not applicable |
· The FSP is payable (at the unaccompanied rate) and FSP points are accrued for the duration of the assignment |
| Post Differential Allowance (PDA) | · Not applicable | · Not applicable |
· Where an employee occupies self-contained accommodation, the PDA is payable where applicable |
| Special payments under the Post Differential Allowance (PDA) |
· Special payments are payable to recognize extraordinary conditions at a hardship post, in accordance with FSD 58.09 at the unaccompanied rate |
· Special payments are payable to recognize extraordinary conditions at a hardship post, in accordance with FSD 58.09 at the unaccompanied rate |
· Special payments are payable to recognize extraordinary conditions at a hardship post, in accordance with FSD 58.09 at the unaccompanied rate |
| Currency Exchange | · The costs incurred to convert reasonable sums to foreign currencies and/or reconvert any unused balance to Canadian currency shall be reimbursed, based upon receipts, from all transactions and sources |
· The costs incurred to convert reasonable sums to foreign currencies and/or reconvert any unused balance to Canadian currency shall be reimbursed, based upon receipts, from all transactions and sources · As per NJC Travel Directive |
· The costs incurred to convert reasonable sums to foreign currencies and/or reconvert any unused balance to Canadian currency shall be reimbursed, based upon receipts, from all transactions and sources
· As per NJC Travel Directive |
| Accompanied by Dependants |
· Not applicable |
Not applicable |
· Only in rare and unusual circumstances (Consult FSD 8.20) |
| Assistance for Single parents | · Not applicable |
· In lieu of weekend travel as per Travel Directive · Return transportation expenses for pre-school aged children up to the cost of weekend travel home · Dependant care expenses at the work location outside Canada which are in excess of existing dependant care expenses for equivalent care, up to the costs which would otherwise be incurred at the old place of duty and reimbursed under the Travel Directive · If a child accompanies the employee, the employee may claim the expenses for necessary vaccinations and inoculations for the child (Consult FSD 8.22) |
· In lieu of weekend travel as per Travel Directive · Return transportation expenses for pre-school aged children up to the cost of weekend travel home. · Dependant care expenses at the work location outside Canada which are in excess of existing dependant care expenses for equivalent care, up to the costs which would otherwise be incurred at the old place of duty and reimbursed under the Travel Directive · If a child accompanies the employee, the employee may claim the expenses for necessary vaccinations and inoculations for the child (Consult FSD 8.22) |
| Post Living Allowance |
· Not applicable |
· Not applicable |
· Applies when dependant(s) are authorized to accompany an employee |
Note:
The hostility bonus and special payments under post differential allowance are payable to an employee regardless if they are under the Travel Directive or the Foreign Service Directives. For example, Kandahar has a 50% hostility bonus which is 50% of the level V Post Differential rate for an unaccompanied employee. As of April 1 2009, the Level V rate is $12,045 per year, 50% is $6,023. The $6,023 is pro-rated for every day an employee is assigned to Kandahar.