March 1, 2005
The National Joint Council (NJC) is pleased to announce that the consultations led by the NJC Government Travel Committee (GTC) have resulted in a new NJC Integrated Relocation Directive. The NJC–GTC is composed of representatives from Federal Public Service bargaining agents, the employer and departments.
The new NJC Integrated Relocation Directive will be the sole relocation authority for all Public Service employees.
Trust, flexibility, respect and transparency will continue to be the cornerstone principles of the new Directive.
Implementation Date
The new NJC Integrated Relocation Directive will become effective on April 1, 2005.
Minor Changes
The NJC - IRP Directive has been re-named the NJC Integrated Relocation Directive.
This Directive has been re-structured and re-organized to better rationalize its layout and improve user-friendliness.
Substantive Changes
Highlights of the substantive changes are regrouped as follows:
Appendix C has been eliminated. The definitions are now located at the beginning of the Directive. New definitions have been inserted and existing ones updated to reflect the current structure of the public service.
The section dealing with the Overview Committee has been eliminated.
In exceptional circumstances, employees requesting reimbursement of expenses not identified in the Directive may do so by submitting a business case to the departmental national coordinator, who would forward the submission with their recommendation to the Project Authority at TBS for approval.
A more definitive listing of employees who may or may not be authorized to receive payment of relocation expenses.
Non-EX/GIC employees have now been provided with a Transfer Allowance equivalent to two (2) weeks pay (sub-section 3.4.2.1.1).
A caveat has been added to the Core Benefit Transferable Savings, whereby an employee, opting for not selling the former principal residence, must now exercise this option within fourteen calendar days of receiving the principal residence appraisal report.
With respect to benefits outlined in Funding Overview, the rental of a compact car has now been re-adjusted to that of a mid-size model.
Entitlements regarding meal allowances for dependants have been generalized.
Renting in advance of a move (sub-section 7.4) has been augmented from one (1) month to two (2) months.
A new sub-section has been added for Non-EX/GIC employees – Weekend Travel Home Every Two Weeks While on TDRA (sub-section 7.9).
The timeframe for selling a home and purchasing a replacement residence has been limited to two (2) years from the date of registration with the contracted service provider. Extensions beyond two (2) years will only be granted in exceptional circumstances. (Refer sub-sections 8.2, 9.2 and 2.13.1)
The Conditions of reimbursement (sub-section 8.13.2) have been adjusted.
The Department of Finance kilometric rate has been replaced by the NJC Travel Directive kilometric rate with respect to Shipment of a PMV by Commercial Carrier (sub-section 11.13)
Sub-section 12.1.5 dealing with the non-authorization in the payment of relocation expenses for persons engaged as part-time or as term employees for periods of one year or less has been enhanced and moved to another area within the Directive (sub-section 1.4.2).
The sub-section dealing with Telework has been adjusted (sub-section 13.1)
An employee who opts to have the family remain behind while he/she proceeds to the new destination alone will now be provided with 35% of the funds from the Personalized Envelope rather than the Customized Envelope (see sub-section 13.3.4)
Future relocation (sub-section 13.3.6) has been adjusted.
Employee-Requested Relocation (see sub-section 13.4.1) has been adjusted.
Appendix B has been adjusted.
Training Sessions
Beginning in February 2005, training sessions on the use of the new directive will be offered by Treasury Board and the Bargaining Agents.
More Information
The new directive is available on the NJC Web site: http://www.njc-cnm.gc.ca/doc.php?lang=en&did=142.
Conclusion
The NJC Executive Committee would like to acknowledge and thank the bargaining agent side and the employer side members of the NJC Government Travel Committee for their commitment and their outstanding work involved in the review of this directive.
The success of the new NJC Integrated Relocation Directive is now in every user's hands. We invite you to become familiar with the new directive and to apply it in compliance with the cornerstone principles.