Scope
Introduction
Where the deputy head has authorized a pre-posting briefing program for a spouse or common-law partner and/or dependant(s) who accompany an employee on a posting, additional costs may be incurred as a result of such program. In such cases the deputy head may, in accordance with this directive, authorize reimbursement to the employee for actual and reasonable travelling, temporary accommodation, living, local transportation and dependant care expenses, incurred on behalf of the spouse or common-law partner and/or dependant(s).
Directive
12.1 Pre-Posting Briefing Program
12.1.1 Where the deputy head has authorized a pre-posting briefing program in the National Capital Region for the spouse or common-law partner and/or dependant(s) of an employee who is employed at and who resides at a place in Canada outside the National Capital Region and whose dependant(s) will be residing with the employee at the post, the deputy head may authorize payment of the following expenses, not exceeding those which would be authorized under the relevant provision of FSD 15 – Relocation, incurred by the spouse or common-law partner and/or dependant(s):
(a) actual and reasonable return travelling expenses between the employee's normal place of residence in Canada and the National Capital Region;
(b) actual and reasonable accommodation and living expenses in the National Capital Region for the duration of the pre-posting briefing program;
(c) actual and reasonable local public transportation costs (including taxis when, in the judgment of the deputy head, the use of such transportation is justifiable and reasonable) for one return journey each day to the briefing centre;
(d) the cost of a weekly ten-minute station-to-station long distance telephone call at weekend discount rates from the briefing centre to the place of residence in Canada of the separated family member(s). However, telephone calls shall not be reimbursed where the employee is receiving assistance for home communications under the NJC Travel Directive.
12.2 Pre-Posting Briefing Program for Cross-Postings
12.2.1 Where the deputy head has authorized a pre-posting briefing program in the National Capital Region for the spouse or common-law partner and/or dependant(s) of an employee who is being cross-posted and whose dependant(s) will be residing with the employee at the new post, the deputy head may authorize payment of the following expenses, not exceeding those which would be authorized under the relevant provision of FSD 15 – Relocation, incurred by the spouse or common-law partner and/or dependant(s):
(a) actual and reasonable return travelling expenses between the employee's old post and the National Capital Region, where travel to the headquarters city has not been authorized for the employee and accompanying dependant(s) under the provisions of FSD 50.4.1;
(b) actual and reasonable accommodation and living expenses in the National Capital Region for the duration of the pre-posting briefing program;
(c) actual and reasonable local public transportation costs (including taxis when, in the judgment of the deputy head, the use of such transportation is justifiable and reasonable) for one return journey each day to the briefing centre;
(d) the cost of a weekly ten minute station-to-station long distance telephone call at weekend discount rates from the briefing centre to the separated family member(s) at the employee's post. However, telephone calls shall not be reimbursed where the employee is receiving assistance for home communications under the NJC Travel Directive.
12.2.2 Where travel is being authorized under FSD 50.4.1 in respect of an employee's cross-posting, travel shall not be authorized under this directive. It should be noted, however, that where travel is authorized under the provisions of FSD 50.4.1, the provisions of paragraphs 12.2.1(b), (c) and (d) as well as Section 12.3 may be applied.
12.3 Dependant Care
12.3.1 The deputy head may authorize payment of dependant care expenses which are incurred as a result of the absence of a spouse or common-law partner who is attending the pre-posting briefing program. These expenses are paid for dependant(s) under 18 years of age who reside permanently with the employee where these are in excess of any existing permanent dependant care arrangements. The employee shall be reimbursed actual and reasonable dependant care expenses in accordance with the relevant provisions of the NJC Travel Directive.
12.3.2 Where expenses for dependant care are incurred at a post, the maximum amount may be exceeded on the recommendation of the appropriate foreign service interdepartmental co-ordinating committee.
12.3.3 Dependant care assistance shall not be provided when the child's other parent resides in the same location as the child who requires dependant care.