July 27, 2009
Foreign Service Directives effective April 1, 2009
The Foreign Service Directives Committee has developed the following additional questions and answers in order to provide departments, agencies and employees with further clarification on the application of certain new and existing FSD provisions which came into effect April 1, 2009.
FSD 34 – Education Allowances
1. Question:
I notice that University application fees and academic course evaluation fees which are in excess of those paid by students residing in Ontario are now reimbursable. My child is applying to a college as opposed to a university; will the application and academic course evaluation fees be reimbursed?
Answer:
The reimbursement for application fees and academic course evaluation fees refer to both university and colleges alike. You are entitled to reimbursement so long as the fees were incurred on or after April 1, 2009 (refer to FSD 34.01(c)(i)(H)).
FSD 41 – Health Care Travel
2. Question:
What is the maximum cost reimbursable for board, lodging, and laundry in private accommodation while on health care travel leave in the United States?
Answer:
The cost of board, lodging, and laundry in private accommodation while on health care travel leave is now reimbursable in accordance with Appendices C and D of the NJC Travel Directive – Private non-commercial accommodation allowance, at the rate of $50 per day Canadian (CAD) world-wide except for the United States of America, which is 50 U.S. dollars (USD).
FSD 55 – Post Living Allowance
3. Question:
I am currently posted at a mission where I am required to work overtime on a regular basis. Am I entitled to receive PLA for the overtime I work?
Answer:
No. Employees are entitled to receive PLA on the basis of compensation days. Compensation days are defined under FSD 2.01(f) as "any day other than the one or two days per week designated as a day of rest at the post". The Guideline to FSD 69.04 clarifies that there are 260.88 compensation days in a calendar year.
FSD 56 – Foreign Service Premium
4. Question:
On April 1, 2009 I began receiving Foreign Service premium in accordance with Appendix C – Transitional Table as I met the criteria under FSD 56.02(a)(ii). My premium is calculated at the "Accompanied by two or more dependants" rate; my salary is between $100,363 and $125,453; and I am at step II on the table. Effective October 2009 I will have enough Foreign Service premium points to move from step II to step III. I have read the Question and Answer published on the National Joint Council website on April 1, 2009, pertaining to Foreign Service premium, and am still confused. Do I remain under Appendix C of the directive effective October 1, 2009, or do I move to Appendix A?
Answer:
The foreign service premium is calculated in accordance with Appendix C for employees at post prior to April 1, 2009, until the rate under Appendix A is equal to or greater than the rate (which would be payable) under Appendix C, or the completion of posting, excluding any extension, which ever comes earlier (refer to FSD 56.02(a)(ii)).
As you were at post prior to April 1, 2009, you will only move from Appendix C to Appendix A when the rate under Appendix A is equal to or greater the rate under Appendix C; this includes when you move from one step to another. In your case, the rate for step III under Appendix C is $21,082. The corresponding rate under Appendix A is $20,171. Therefore, effective October 1, 2009 when you move from step II to step III, you remain under Appendix C.