FSD 44 - Holidays
Introduction
This directive provides employees with the same number of paid holidays that they would be entitled to if they were serving in Canada. Furthermore, the deputy head may approve the substitution of local holidays for holidays designated in Canada for the employee.
Directive 44
44.01 An employee is entitled to the same number of designated holidays with pay per calendar year as would apply under collective agreement or other appropriate authority for service in Canada.
44.02 Notwithstanding the provisions of collective agreement or other appropriate authority for service in Canada,
(a) the deputy head may substitute another holiday for a designated holiday to which the employee would be entitled in Canada, where that designated holiday is not recognized as a general holiday at the post;
(b) where an employee serves at more than one location during a calendar year, the deputy head shall further adjust the designated holidays at post for that employee to ensure that such employee is granted the same number of designated holidays for the calendar year as are provided in collective agreement or other appropriate authority for service in Canada;
(c) where a holiday at the post falls on a day of rest for the employee, or where the employee is required to work on a holiday at the post, compensation or leave of absence with pay shall be authorized in accordance with the employee's collective agreement or other appropriate authority for service in Canada.
Instruction
Before December 31 of each year, each Post shall forward to the deputy head a list of holidays to be observed in the next calendar year by employees at the post. If there is any change in these holidays, another list shall be submitted.
Guideline
Where, for the calendar year in which an employee serves at more than one location, the combined number of designated holidays at the locations served is less than that provided in collective agreement or other appropriate authority for service in Canada, the employee shall be granted such additional days at the post as may be required to meet these provisions, notwithstanding that such days may not be designated holidays at the post where the employee is serving. Where, for the calendar year in which an employee serves at more than one location, the combined number of designated holidays at the locations served is greater than that provided in collective agreement or other appropriate authority for service in Canada, arrangements, agreeable to the employee and the deputy head, shall be made for the employee to work such additional time at the post as may be required to meet these provisions.
FSD 45 - Foreign service travel credit bank and Foreign service leave credit bank
Introduction
This directive replaces FSD 45 - Foreign service travel and specifies the conditions for the use of credits in the travel credit bank and leave credit bank which had accrued prior to October 1, 1997. This directive also sets out transitional provisions for employees at post on June 1, 2001, who were under the provisions of FSD 45 - Foreign service travel, of the 1993 Foreign Service Directives (revised October 1, 1997) on May 31, 2001.
The 1997 conversion of travel entitlements to non-accountable allowances has resulted in significant changes to administrative procedures.
The new issue and verification procedures are found in FSD 70 - Reporting requirements and verification of allowances.
This directive will be cancelled when all travel and leave credits have been liquidated.
Directive 45
Foreign Service Travel Credit Bank
45.01 Foreign service travel credits which were converted from leave credits to a foreign service travel credit bank on October 1, 1997, are available to assist employees and their family and friends to travel between the post and another location, and for family members and friends to visit the employee at post or travel with the employee to another location.
45.02
(a) Each full foreign service travel credit is converted to a non-accountable travel allowance, to reflect 75% of full (Y) economy air fare between the employee's post and the headquarters city at the time the allowance is authorized. Where there is no Y fare, 100% of Y2 fare shall be used.
(b) A foreign service travel allowance may be requested in local currency or in Canadian dollars. Employees applying for the allowance will be required to identify the purpose for which the allowance is requested, and will later be required to prove or substantiate that the purpose for which the allowance was intended has actually been met.
(c) It is not the intent to provide employees with an allowance for purposes other than travel as specified in this directive. While the allowance is intended for transportation costs, it is accepted that up to 30% of the allowance may be used for travel-related costs such as accommodation and meals.
Instruction
Provisions for the issue and verification of foreign service travel credits / allowances are found in FSD 70 - Reporting requirements and verification of allowances.
45.03 A foreign service travel credit/allowance may be used:
(a) for travel while an employee is on posting; and/or
(b) for travel in conjunction with relocation travel, to and/or from a post, when authorized in advance and subject to audit on arrival at the new place of duty; and/or
(c) for travel, following receipt of a Posting Confirmation Form, to the employee's new place of duty outside Canada, to seek or facilitate spousal employment, to arrange for the education of dependants, or for househunting where a househunting trip has not been authorized for reasons of cost-effectiveness;
and where
(d) travel may be taken on more than one occasion and/or by more than one person;
(e) more than one travel credit may be used at the same time (for example, the employee may wish to bring two or more family members from Canada to visit at the post);
(f) travel may be combined, that is, travel from post may be combined with travel from a second location to a common third location destination; and
(g) with the advance approval of the deputy head, travel may be taken in conjunction with travel authorized under another directive (for example, family reunion travel, compassionate travel).
Instructions
1. Transportation by car, at the lower kilometric/mileage rate, is acceptable provided the destination is more than 150 km. from the post and the trip involves one or more night's accommodation. The lower kilometric/mileage rate is established by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs by adjusting the Lower Kilometric/Mileage Rate applicable to Ottawa (as approved by the National Joint Council and quoted on the Treasury Board of Canada Government Travel web site http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/webarchives/20071206123015/http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pubs_pol/hrpubs/TBM_113/cad-datq-a_e.asp), to exclude the fuel/gasoline component of that rate and replace it with a component based on the fuel/gasoline cost incurred by the employee at the post; (revised July 1, 2005)
2. Where travel does not originate at the post, the employee's post must appear on the travel itinerary and there must be a minimum stopover of 24 hours at post before travel is resumed.
45.04 Requests for a foreign service travel allowance shall not be unreasonably denied.
45.05 On written request to the headquarters' FSD Advisor, an employee may convert foreign service travel bank credits to foreign service leave bank credits at the rate of 10 days foreign service leave for each full travel credit.
45.06
(a) Where an employee's posting is terminated before the travel for which the allowance was granted has started, the employee,
(i) on request, shall be authorized to use travel under this directive in conjunction with relocation travel under FSD 15 - Relocation, on final departure from post, unless the employer can demonstrate that operational requirements preclude circuitous travel, or
(ii) shall repay the allowance in full, in which case the travel credit shall be reinstated, or
(b) Where an employee's posting is terminated before the travel for which the allowance was granted has been completed, the employee,
(i) on request, shall be authorized to use travel under this directive in conjunction with relocation travel on final departure from post, unless the employer can demonstrate that operational requirements preclude circuitous travel, or
(ii) may repay the allowance in full, in which case the travel credit shall be reinstated, or
(iii) may repay 50% of the allowance, where it can be demonstrated that approximately 50% of the allowance has been used, in which case a ½ travel credit shall be reinstated,
except that,
(c) where travel has been authorized in conjunction with relocation travel under FSD 15 - Relocation, on arrival at the new place of duty an employee shall be required to demonstrate that the allowance has been used as intended, and
(d) in applying Sections 45.06 (a) and (b), an employee will normally be required to return that portion of the allowance which has not been used for travel (and which will not be used in conjunction with relocation travel under FSD 15 - Relocation), unless, in the opinion of the deputy head, there are extenuating circumstances which merit special consideration; extenuating circumstances include those situations where an employee can demonstrate the purchase of non-returnable tickets, or where pre-paid vacation or travel arrangements cannot be canceled or are subject to a financial penalty.
45.07 On completion of all travel for which the allowance was issued, and no later than final departure from post, (except on relocation, as provided for under Sections 45.03 (b) and 45.06 (c)), the employee will be required to provide such documentation as the employer may require to demonstrate that the purpose of the allowance has been met. It is the employee's responsibility to provide proof of usage satisfactory to the deputy head, such as travel documents/tickets etc., in support of all travel claimed against the travel credit. Where an employee cannot show acceptable proof of travel taken, the allowance shall be repaid in full, and the travel credit restored to the employee's foreign service travel credit bank.
Instruction
Provisions for the verification of foreign service travel credits / allowances are found in FSD 70 - Reporting requirements and verification of allowances.
45.08 On cessation of employment from a foreign service department, an employee shall receive cash payment for all outstanding foreign service travel credits, on the basis of salary in effect on the last day of employment with a foreign service department, at a conversion rate of 10 days foreign service leave for each full travel credit.
Foreign Service Leave Credit Bank
45.09 An employee who elected to retain foreign service leave credits after October 1, 1997,
(a) may retain and use foreign service leave credits during employment with a foreign service department; and/or
(b) may receive cash payment for any or all foreign service leave credits, on the basis of salary in effect on the date the request is made; and
(c) shall receive cash payment for all outstanding foreign service leave credits on termination of employment from a foreign service department, on the basis of salary in effect on the last day of employment with a foreign service department.
Transitional Provisions
45.10 Employees at post on Junel 01, 2001, who were under the provisions of FSD 45 - Foreign service travel, of the 1993 Foreign Service Directives (revised October 01, 1997) on May 31, 2001, shall remain under these 1997 provisions until:
(a) the next annual anniversary date of arrival at post; or
(b) the first day following completion of the time necessary to fulfill the requirement for a travel allowance, where one or more travel allowances have been authorized in advance;
at which time, unless an employee elects for post leave in accordance with FSD 46.02(b)(i) of FSD 46 - Post leave/option, such employee shall receive a post-specific allowance, in accordance with FSD 56 - Foreign service incentive allowances; and
(c) where an employee has not utilized a travel allowance earned under the 1997 provisions of FSD 45 - Foreign service travel, such allowance shall be authorized/available for use until the completion of the employee's assignment, including any extension, and/or, at the employee's request, in conjunction with relocation travel under FSD 15 - Relocation, from the post at which the employee was serving on June 1, 2001.
FSD 46 - Post leave/option
Introduction
This directive provides an employee with an optional benefit of ten days of post leave per year, in lieu of the provisions for a post specific allowance under FSD 56 - Foreign service incentive allowances. Unless specifically requested, employees will receive the post specific allowance rather than post leave.
Directive 46
46.01 An employee shall have the choice of electing for post leave, as outlined under this directive, or a post specific allowance under FSD 56 - Foreign service incentive allowances, but not both. Unless post leave is specifically requested, an employee shall receive the post specific allowance.
46.02 Where an employee elects for post leave, the provision of this directive shall apply:
(a) on or after June 1, 2001, as applicable, for employees who arrive at post on or after this date, or
(b) on such date as may be determined by the deputy head, subsequent to June 1, 2001, for employees,
(i) who are on posting on June 1, 2001 and who are subject to the transitional provisions under Section 46.05; or
(ii) who are in receipt of a post specific allowance under FSD 56 - Foreign service incentive allowances;
46.03 The deputy head shall grant post leave to an employee under the same conditions as vacation leave would be granted for the employee's occupational group, except that:
(a) post leave credits are available for use at post, are portable between posts, and may be used in conjunction with relocation travel from post;
(b) the total accumulation of post leave credits at any time shall not exceed 40 days; when this maximum is reached, the employee will automatically receive the post specific allowance under FSD 56 - Foreign service incentive allowances, until such time as the employee reduces post leave credits below 40 days and again elects for the provisions of this directive for post leave;
(c) on request, an employee may receive cash payment for any or all accrued post leave credits, on the basis of salary in effect on the date the request is made, and
(d) post leave credits shall be cashed out on the employee's return to Canada, on the basis of salary in effect on the date of the employee's return to duty in Canada.
46.04
(a) Where an employee elects for post leave, credits shall be accumulated at the rate of 10/12 of a day for each completed month of service at a post, until:
(i) completion of an employee's tour of duty (or tours of duty, in the case of cross-posting), to a maximum of 40 days, or
(ii) the last day of the month following two months' notification by the employee to change from post leave (FSD 46) to a post specific allowance (FSD 56);
(b) For purposes of calculating credits under this directive, an employee shall be deemed to have a completed month of service where at least ten compensation days are spent at a post, except that during a cross-posting an employee cannot accumulate credits on the basis of two periods of ten compensation days within the same calendar month.
Instructions
1. The deputy head shall ensure that a record of post leave credits is maintained.
2. To request a change from a post specific allowance to post leave, or vice-versa, employees should inform their headquarters' FSD Advisor, in writing, two months prior to the date of the desired change. Normally, e-mail would be the preferred method of communication, in order to ensure sufficient time to effect the change, but fax or official mail may be used when appropriate.
3. In applying Sections 46.03 and 46.04:
(a) Post leave may be taken on its own or in conjunction with vacation leave and/or with foreign service leave, where an employee has a bank of foreign service leave credits.
(b) It should be noted that vacation leave, post leave and foreign service leave are entitlements. Every effort should be made to authorize leave as requested by the employee.
Transitional Provisions
46.05 Employees at post on June 1, 2001, who were under the provisions of FSD 45 - Foreign service travel of the 1993 Foreign Service Directives (revised October 1, 1997) on May 31, 2001, shall remain under these 1997 provisions until:
(a) the next annual anniversary date of arrival at post, or
(b) the first day following completion of the time necessary to fulfil the requirement for a travel allowance, where one or more travel allowances have been authorized in advance,
at which time, unless an employee elects for post leave in accordance with Section 46.02(b)(i), such employee shall receive a post specific allowance in accordance with FSD 56 - Foreign service incentive allowances, and
(c) where an employee has not utilized a travel allowance earned under the 1997 provisions of FSD 45 - Foreign service travel, such allowance shall be authorized/available for use until completion of the employee's assignment, including any extension, and / or, at the employee's request, in conjunction with relocation travel under FSD 15 - Relocation from the post at which the employee was serving on June 1, 2001.
NOTES: 1. Family reunion travel is normally based on the twelve-month period from September 1st to August 31st. 2. The last year of entitlement for two trips under Appendix A is the twelve-month period commencing September 1st in which the 21st birthday occurs. 3. One of these trips may be utilized to fund the cost of an escort to travel with the special needs dependent student (mentally/physically challenged and airline requires dependent student be accompanied, or dependent student is under 13 years of age). (Reference: FSD 51.02 (e)). Appendix B - Family Reunion Travel
|
Education Taken |
Education Level |
Frequency |
Cost Limitation |
---|---|---|---|
In Canada |
Post-Secondary |
1 return trip in |
Educational Institution/Mission |
Not In Canada |
Post-Secondary |
1 return trip in |
Educational Institution/Mission |
NOTES:
1. Family reunion travel is normally based on the twelve-month period from September 1st to August 31st.
2. The first year of entitlement for travel under Appendix B is the twelve-month period commencing September 1st in which the 22nd birthday occurs.
3. The last year of entitlement for travel under Appendix B is the twelve-month period commencing September 1st in which the 23rd birthday occurs.
4. The provision for an escort for a dependent student with special needs is not available under Appendix B as travel is limited to one trip per year.
Appendix C - Family Reunion Travel
Dependent Child Not In School
Age Limitation |
Frequency |
Cost Limitation |
---|---|---|
Has not yet attained |
2 return trips in |
Location of Child / Mission |
Over the age of 18 but has not yet attained 22 years of age |
1 return trip in |
Location of Child / Mission |
NOTES:
1. Family reunion travel is normally based on the twelve-month period from September 1st to August 31st.
2. The last year of entitlement for two trips under Appendix C is the twelve-month period commencing September 1st in which the 18th birthday occurs.
3. The last year of entitlement for one trip under Appendix C is the twelve-month period commencing September 1st in which the 21st birthday occurs.
4. One of these trips may be utilized to fund the cost of an escort to travel with the special needs dependent child (mentally/physically challenged and airline requires dependent child be accompanied or child under 13 years of age). (Reference: FSD 51.02 (e)).
5. The provision for an escort for a dependent student with special needs is not available, as travel is limited to one trip per year.
Appendix D - Family Reunion Travel
Other Situations
Situation |
Frequency |
Cost Limitation |
---|---|---|
Unaccompanied Employee - |
Up to 2 return trips in |
Mission/Location of |
Unaccompanied Employee - Employee travels |
Up to 2 return trips in |
Mission/Location of |
Unaccompanied Employee - Dependant(s) travel(s) |
Up to 2 return trips in |
Location of Separated Dependants(s)/Mission UP TO THE COST OF Headquarters City/Mission |
Employee-Couple - |
Up to 2 return trips in |
Mission/Mission |
Employee-Couple - Dependent child(ren) residing with one parent |
Up to 2 return trips in |
Mission/Mission |
Employee-Couple - Dependent children residing with each parent |
Up to 2 return trips in a |
Mission/Mission |
Employee-Couple - Dependent student in Canada AND/OR Dependent student away from mission |
Up to 3 return trips in |
Location of child/student // Either mission |
Employee-Couple - Dependant 21 or less - Post-Secondary Education |
Up to 2 return trips in |
Location of student/Either Mission UP TO THE COST OF Headquarters City/Mission (Travel from Canada) OR Mission/Headquarters City (Travel from outside Canada) |
Employee-Couple - Dependant over 21 |
1 return trip in |
Location of student/Either mission |
Employee-Couple - Child not yet 19 and Not in School |
Up to 2 return trips in |
Location of child/ |
Employee-Couple - Child over 18 but not yet 22 |
1 return trip in |
Location of child/ |
Custody Arrangement - |
Up to 2 return trips in |
Mission/Location of Other Parent MINUS THE COST OF Location of Other Parent/ Headquarters City |
Custody Arrangement - |
Up to 2 return trips in |
Location of Child (Mission or School) / Location of Other Parent MINUS THE COST OF Location of Other Parent/ Headquarters City |
Custody Arrangement - |
Up to 2 return trips in |
Location of Child/Mission MINUS THE COST OF Location of Child/ Headquarters City |
NOTES:
1. Family reunion travel is normally based on the twelve-month period from September 1st to August 31st.
2. Two of the three trips must be for the purpose of family reunion with the employee-couple (Reference: FSD 51.06(b)).
3. One of the three trips may be for travel to either location of the employee-couple (Reference: FSD 51.06(b)).
4. Travel must be for the purpose of family reunion with the employee-couple (Reference: FSD 51.06).
5. Dependent child(ren) must travel at same time as the parent (Reference: FSD 51.06(a)).
6. One of the trips may be utilized to fund the cost of an escort to travel with the special needs child (mentally/physically challenged and airline requires child be accompanied, or child is under 13 years of age). (Reference: FSD 51.02, FSD 51.07(c))
7. The provision for an escort for a dependent child/student with special needs is not available as travel is limited to one trip per year.
8. The last year of entitlement for two trips under FSD 51.02 (d) (iv) is the twelve-month period commencing September 1st in which the 18th birthday occurs.
9. The last year of entitlement for one trip under FSD 51.02 (d) (v) is the twelve-month period commencing September 1st in which the 21st birthday occurs.
10. The last year of entitlement for two trips under FSD 51.02 (b) is the twelve-month period commencing September 1st in which the 21st birthday occurs.
11. The last year of entitlement for travel under FSD 51.02 (c) is the twelve-month period commencing September 1st in which the 23rd birthday occurs.
12. The first year of entitlement for travel under FSD 51.02 (c) is the twelve-month period commencing September 1st in which the 22nd birthday occurs.
Appendix E - Family Reunion Travel
Away from Mission under FSD 51.08
Travel Authority |
Person(s) Travelling |
Travel To: |
---|---|---|
Travel under FSD 51.08 (a) |
Employee and spouse/common-law partner and any dependent child at mission |
Location of child/student |
Travel under FSD 51.08(a) |
Employee or spouse/common-law partner, as applicable |
Location of child |
Travel under FSD 51.08 (a) |
Employee |
Location of separated dependants |
Travel under FSD 51.08 (b) |
The employee and any dependants eligible for travel under this directive, including dependants at mission |
A location on a direct routing to the mission |
NOTES:
1. The allowance authorized under Section 51.08 shall not exceed the allowance that would have been payable under Sections 51.02, 51.05, 51.06 or 51.07, as applicable.
2. When considering the financial implications of Section 51.08(a) and 51.08(b), the travelling expenses of all persons authorized to travel can not exceed the total travelling expenses that would have been incurred for travel to mission by all eligible dependants under the applicable provisions of this directive.
3. In addition to travelling expenses, where travel is in lieu of the provisions of Section 51.07 because the child is too young to travel unaccompanied, an allowance for accommodation expenses for 5 days in the headquarters city may be paid when it is the child's place of residence.
4. When travel is from mission, this liquidates one travel entitlement each for all eligible dependants.
5. Frequency of travel is determined by Sections 51.02, 51.05, 51.06 or 51.07, as applicable.
FSD 54 - Compassionate travel
Introduction
A compassionate travel allowance is designed to compensate an employee at a post for those expenditures arising from the serious illness (including serious injury) of a dependent student or infirm child and the critical illness (including critical injury) or death of a parent of the employee or the employee's spouse or common-law partner, a brother or sister (including half-brothers and half-sisters) of the employee or the employee's spouse or common-law partner, or a member of the family unit, which are over and above those that would have been incurred had the employee been serving in the headquarters city. As well, there is a provision for travel to assist parents through a major life event such as on giving up the family residence and moving into an elder-care facility.
The travel entitlement shall normally reflect the lowest available airfare, although it is also recognized that discounted fares may not be available when it is necessary to arrange travel on short notice.
The provisions of this directive are not intended to cover all family emergencies. For situations not specifically included, employees should consider use of other travel provisions, such as the vacation travel allowance (FSD 50), the post-specific allowance (FSD 56.10), or the foreign service travel credit bank (FSD 45).
The 1997 conversion of travel entitlements to non-accountable allowances has resulted in significant changes to administrative procedures.
The new issue and verification procedures are found in FSD 70 - Reporting requirements and verification of allowances.
Directive 54
Index
54.01 Definitions
54.02 Serious illness/injury - Dependent student/infirm child in Canada
54.03 Critical illness/injury - Member of family unit not residing at post/infirm child in Canada
54.04 Critical illness/injury - Member of family unit residing at post
54.05 Critical illness/injury - Member of family unit normally residing at post - away for medical treatment
54.06 Death - Member of family unit not residing at post/infirm child in Canada
54.07 Death - Member of family unit residing at post - Death at post or while away for medical treatment
54.08 Death - Member of family unit - Death and interment at post
54.09 Death//critical illness/injury - Non-dependent child - No longer member of family unit
54.10 Death/critical illness/injury - Non-dependent child of previous marriage - Not a member of family unit
54.11 Death/critical illness/injury - Parent of employee/spouse/common-law partner
54.12 Death - Parent of employee/spouse/common-law partner
54.13 Death//critical illness/injury - Sibling of employee/spouse/common-law partner
54.14 Critical illness/injury - Unaccompanied Employee
54.15 Critical illness/injury - Single parent employee
54.16 Critical illness/injury - Employee away from post on temporary duty
54.17 Critical illness/injury - Member of family unit normally residing at post - Away on personal travel
54.18 Death - Member of family unit normally residing at post - Away on personal travel
54.19 Travel - Infirm child - In lieu of FSD 51 - Family Reunion
54.20 Special situations
54.21 Death//critical illness/injury - Non-custodial parent of a child
54.22 Travel leave
Definitions
54.01 In this directive,
(a) family unit (famille immédiate) means:
(i) the employee,
(ii) the employee's spouse or common-law partner,
(iii) a dependent child within the meaning specified in FSD 2.01(j)(ii),
(iv) a dependent student within the meaning specified in FSD 2.01(k),
(v) a child of the employee or of the employee's spouse or common-law partner, who continues to be in a dependant relationship, where such child was associated with the employee's family unit prior to the employee's posting, has not attained 21 years of age, is not residing at the post and cannot be deemed a dependent student as defined in FSD 2.01(k);
(b) parent (parent) means the natural or adoptive parent or a person who was formally appointed legal guardian of an employee or an employee's spouse or common-law partner, or, with the approval of the deputy head, a foster or surrogate parent;
(c) one employee of an employee-couple shall be deemed to be the employee and the other employee deemed to be the spouse or common-law partner;
(d) travelling expenses (frais de voyages) means expenses for air transportation and local transportation to and from airports at the points of departure and destination and, when authorized in advance by the deputy head, for accommodation, meals and local transportation to and from the airport for a necessary stopover, where it is not possible or practicable to arrange an itinerary which will permit continuing travel to the approved destination; and
(e) provisions for the issue and verification of travel allowances under this directive are found in FSD 70 - Reporting requirements and verification of allowances.
Circumstances/Situations
54.02 In the event of serious illness (including serious injury) of a dependent student or infirm child receiving care or training at an institution in Canada, by reason of a mental or physical disability, the deputy head shall authorise an allowance for:
(a) actual and reasonable return travelling expenses between the employee's post and the location of the child; and
(b) actual and reasonable accommodation expenses at the location of the child, for any reasonable period as determined by the deputy head;
incurred by the employee or the employee's spouse or common-law partner and by an infant or small child who is obliged to accompany a parent on compassionate travel; and
(c) when, in the opinion of the deputy head, the residential educational institution does not provide necessary care for the child, an allowance for actual and reasonable accommodation expenses for the child and actual and reasonable local transportation expenses to and from local health care facilities, the location of the child and the educational institution, for any reasonable period as determined by the deputy head.
54.03 In the event of critical illness (including critical injury) of a member of the family unit not residing at the employee's post, or an infirm child receiving care or training at an institution in Canada, by reason of a mental or physical disability, the deputy head shall authorize an allowance for the following expenses incurred by members of the family unit:
(a) actual and reasonable return travelling expenses,
(i) for the members of the family unit residing at the employee's post, to the location of a dependent student who is critically ill; and/or
(ii) for a dependent student, to the location of a dependent student who is critically ill; and/or
(iii) for a member of the family unit who is not a dependent student and is not residing at the employee's post, to the location of a dependent student who is critically ill, minus return travelling expenses between the headquarters city and the location of the member of the family unit who is travelling; and/or
(iv) for the members of the family unit, to the location of the member of the family unit (other than a dependent student) who is critically ill, minus return travelling expenses between the headquarters city and the location of the member of the family unit who is critically ill; and
(b) actual and reasonable accommodation expenses,
(i) for the members of the family unit residing at the employee's post, at the location of a dependent student who is critically ill, for any reasonable period as determined by the deputy head; and/or
(ii) for a dependent student, at the location of a dependent student who is critically ill, for any reasonable period as determined by the deputy head; and/or
(iii) for a member of the family unit who is not a dependent student and is not residing at the employee's post, at the location of a dependent student who is critically ill, for any reasonable period as determined by the deputy head; and/or
(iv) for the members of the family unit, in the headquarters city when this is the location of the member of the family unit (other than a dependent student) who is critically ill, for a period not to exceed five days.
54.04 In the event of critical illness (including critical injury) of a member of the family unit residing at the employee's post, the deputy head shall authorize an allowance for actual and reasonable return travelling expenses:
(a) for a dependent student, to the employee's post; and/or
(b) for a member of the family unit who is not residing at the employee's post and who is not a dependent student, to the employee's post, minus return travelling expenses between the headquarters city and the location of the member of the family unit who is travelling.
54.05 In the event of critical illness (including critical injury) of a member of the family unit normally residing at the employee's post who is undergoing medical treatment away from the post at a location approved by the deputy head, the deputy head shall authorize an allowance for the following expenses incurred by members of the family unit:
(a) actual and reasonable return travelling expenses,
(i) for the members of the family unit residing at the employee's post, to the location of the member of the family unit who is critically ill; and/or
(ii) for a dependent student, to the location of the member of the family unit who is critically ill; and/or
(iii) for a member of the family unit who is not a dependent student and is not residing at the employee's post, to the location of the member of the family unit who is critically ill, minus return travelling expenses between the headquarters city and the location of the member of the family unit who is travelling; and
(b) actual and reasonable accommodation expenses at the location of the member of the family unit who is critically ill, for any reasonable period as determined by the deputy head.
54.06 In the event of death of a member of the family unit not residing at the employee's post, or an infirm child receiving care or training at an institution in Canada, by reason of a mental or physical disability, the deputy head shall authorize an allowance for the following expenses incurred by members of the family unit:
(a) actual and reasonable return travelling expenses,
(i) for the members of the family unit residing at the employee's post, to the place of death and location of interment or memorial service (where this is in lieu of interment), minus return travelling expenses between the headquarters city and location of interment or memorial service (where this is in lieu of interment); and/or
(ii) for a dependent student, to the location of interment or memorial service (where this is in lieu of interment), minus return travelling expenses between the headquarters city and location of interment or memorial service (where this is in lieu of interment); and
(b) actual and reasonable accommodation expenses,
(i) for the members of the family unit residing at the employee's post, at the place of death and in the headquarters city when it is the place of interment or memorial service (where this is in lieu of interment), for a period not to exceed five days; and/or
(ii) for the members of the family unit not residing at the employee's post, in the headquarters city when it is the place of interment or memorial service (where this is in lieu of interment), for a period not to exceed five days.
54.07 In the event of death of a member of the family unit at the employee's post or at a location approved by the deputy head where the deceased, who normally resided at the employee's post, was undergoing medical treatment, and interment or memorial service (where this is in lieu of interment) takes place away from the post, the deputy head shall authorize an allowance for the following expenses incurred by members of the family unit or a suitable escort if required:
(a) actual and reasonable return travelling expenses,
(i) for the members of the family unit residing at the employee's post, to the place of death and location of interment or memorial service (where this is in lieu of interment), minus return travelling expenses between the headquarters city and location of interment or memorial service (where this is in lieu of interment); and/or
(ii) for a dependent student, to the location of interment or memorial service (where this is in lieu of interment), minus return travelling expenses between the headquarters city and location of interment or memorial service (where this is in lieu of interment); and
(b) actual and reasonable accommodation expenses,
(i) for the members of the family unit residing at the employee's post, at the place of death and in the headquarters city when it is the place of interment or memorial service (where this is in lieu of interment), for a period not to exceed five days; and/or
(ii) for the members of the family unit not residing at the employee's post, in the headquarters city when it is the place of interment or memorial service (where this is in lieu of interment), for a period not to exceed five days.
54.08 In the event of death of a member of the family unit at the employee's post where interment takes place at the post, the deputy head shall authorize an allowance for actual and reasonable return travelling expenses:
(a) for a dependent student to the employee's post; and/or
(b) for a member of the family unit who is not a dependent student, to the employee's post, minus return travelling expenses between the headquarters city and the location of the member of the family unit who is travelling;
incurred by members of the family unit who are not residing at the employee's post.
54.09 In the event of death or critical illness (including critical injury) of a non-dependent child who no longer qualifies as a member of the family unit, the deputy head shall authorize an allowance for the following expenses incurred by members of the family unit:
(a) actual and reasonable return travelling expenses,
(i) for the members of the family unit residing at the employee's post, to the location of the non-dependent child who is critically ill or the place of interment or memorial service (where this is in lieu of interment), minus return travelling expenses between the headquarters city and the location of the non-dependent child or the place of interment or memorial service (where this is in lieu of interment); and/or
(ii) for a dependent student, to the location of the non-dependent child who is critically ill or the place of interment or memorial service (where this is in lieu of interment), minus return travelling expenses between the headquarters city and the location of the non-dependent child or the place of interment or memorial service (where this is in lieu of interment); and
(b) actual and reasonable accommodation expenses in the headquarters city for a period not to exceed five days, when it is the location of the non-dependent child who is critically ill or is the place of interment or memorial service (where this is in lieu of interment), incurred by members of the family unit.
Instruction
For purposes of this section, a non-dependent child is a child of an employee or of an employee's spouse or common-law partner, who does not qualify as a member of the family unit solely by reason of age and/or dependancy, and excludes a child of a previous marriage who was not part of the family unit.
54.10 In the event of death or critical illness (including critical injury) of a non-dependent child of a previous marriage of an employee or of an employee's spouse or common-law partner, where such child does/did not qualify as a member of the family unit, the deputy head shall authorize an allowance for:
(a) actual and reasonable return travelling expenses to the location of the non-dependent child who is critically ill or the place of interment or memorial service (where this is in lieu of interment), minus return travelling expenses between the headquarters city and the location of the non-dependent child; and
(b) actual and reasonable accommodation expenses in the headquarters city, for a period not to exceed five days, when it is the location of the non-dependent child who is critically ill or is the place of interment or memorial service (where this is in lieu of interment);
incurred by the parent of a non-dependent child and by an infant or small child who is obliged to accompany a parent on compassionate travel.
54.11
(a) In the event of critical illness (including critical injury) of a parent of an employee or of an employee's spouse or common-law partner, the deputy head may authorize an allowance for:
(i) actual and reasonable return travelling expenses to the location of the relative who is critically ill, minus return travelling expenses between the headquarters city and the location of the relative; and
(ii) actual and reasonable accommodation expenses incurred in the headquarters city when it is the location of the relative who is critically ill, for a period not to exceed five days;
incurred by the employee and/or the employee's spouse or common-law partner and by an infant or small child who is obliged to accompany a parent on compassionate travel.
Instruction
The provisions of Section 54.11(a) include situations of illness of aged parents, where the illness itself may not be critical, but family circumstance and/or the recommendation of the attending physician clearly indicate the attendance of the employee and/or the employee's spouse or common-law partner. This may be to make arrangements for continuing or future care, to assist with personal and/or financial arrangements, and to provide essential emotional support, which are a consequence of the illness.
(b) The provisions of Section 54.11(a) may also be applied where parent(s) of an employee or of an employee's spouse or common-law partner, because of age and/or infirmity, require assistance which is not reasonably available from other family members, in a non-medical situation, and which is not covered by Section 54.11(a). Travel will be limited to an employee or an employee's spouse or common-law partner, and an infant or small child who is obliged to accompany a parent. Such assistance shall normally be limited to once for the employee's parent(s) and once for the spouse's or common-law partner's parent(s) and recognizes a significant life event which requires filial assistance, such as disposing of the family home, or geographic relocation by elderly parent(s) into a retirement residence or an assisted care facility. On the recommendation of the appropriate foreign service interdepartmental co-ordinating committee, this limitation may be exceeded in exceptional circumstances, such as where there are no other siblings and assistance is clearly required, for example in the case of deteriorating health which requires a subsequent move into another facility.
54.12 In the event of death of a parent of an employee or of an employee's spouse or common-law partner, the deputy head shall authorize an allowance for:
(a) actual and reasonable return travelling expenses to the place of interment or memorial service (where this is in lieu of interment), minus return travelling expenses between the headquarters city and the place of interment or memorial service (where this is in lieu of interment); and
(b) actual and reasonable accommodation expenses incurred in the headquarters city when it is the place of interment or memorial service (where this is in lieu of interment), for a period not to exceed five days;
incurred by the employee and the employee's spouse or common-law partner and by an infant or small child who is obliged to accompany a parent on compassionate travel.
54.13 In the event of death or critical illness (including critical injury) of a brother or sister (including half-brothers and half-sisters) of an employee or of an employee's spouse or common-law partner, the deputy head shall authorize an allowance for:
(a) actual and reasonable return travelling expenses to the location of the relative who is critically ill or the place of interment or memorial service (where this is in lieu of interment), minus return travelling expenses between the headquarters city and the location of the relative; and
(b) actual and reasonable accommodation expenses incurred in the headquarters city for a period not to exceed five days, when it is the location of the relative who is critically ill or is the place of internment or memorial service (where this is in lieu of interment);
incurred by the employee or the employee's spouse or common-law partner and by an infant or small child who is obliged to accompany a parent on compassionate travel and by the parent of the employee or of the employee's spouse or common-law partner who is a dependant in accordance with FSD 2.01(j)(iii) and who is also the parent of the person who is critically ill or who has died.
54.14 In the event of critical illness (including critical injury) of an unaccompanied employee where travel is not authorized for a member of the family unit, the deputy head may authorize an allowance for actual and reasonable return travelling expenses for a suitable person to the employee's post and/or to a location approved by the deputy head where the employee is undergoing medical treatment, minus return travelling expenses between the location of the person who is travelling and the headquarters city.
54.15 In the event of critical illness (including critical injury) of an employee who is a single parent, where the members of the family unit are all under 21 years of age, the deputy head may authorize an allowance for actual and reasonable return travelling expenses for a suitable person to the employee's post and/or to a location approved by the deputy head, where the employee is undergoing medical treatment, minus return travelling expenses between the location of the person who is travelling and the headquarters city.
Guideline
In considering travel for a "suitable person" under Sections 54.14 and 54.15, the deputy head shall take into account the possible need for legal authorization for medical or surgical procedures or health care and shall attempt to ensure that the person travelling possesses the appropriate legal responsibility.
54.16 In the event of critical illness (including critical injury) of an employee who is on temporary duty away from the post, the deputy head may, in lieu of the corresponding provisions of the Travel Directive, authorize an allowance for the following expenses incurred by members of the family unit:
(a) actual and reasonable return travelling expenses,
(i) for the members of the family unit residing at the employee's post, to the location of the employee; and/or
(ii) for a dependent student, to the location of the employee; and/or
(iii) for a member of the family unit who is not a dependent student and is not residing at the employee's post, to the location of the employee minus return travelling expenses between the headquarters city and the location of the member of the family unit who is travelling; and
(b) actual and reasonable accommodation expenses at the location of the employee for any reasonable period as determined by the deputy head.
54.17 In the event of critical illness (including critical injury) of a member of the family unit normally residing at the employee's post who is temporarily absent from the post for any reason other than temporary duty or for the purpose of undergoing medical treatment at a location approved by the deputy head, the deputy head shall authorize an allowance for the following expenses incurred by members of the family unit:
(a) actual and reasonable return travelling expenses,
(i) for the members of the family unit residing at the employee's post, to the location of the member of the family unit who is critically ill, minus return travelling expenses between the headquarters city and the location of the member of the family unit who is critically ill; and/or
(ii) for a dependent student, to the location of the member of the family unit who is critically ill, minus return travelling expenses between the headquarters city and the location of the member of the family unit who is critically ill; and
(b) actual and reasonable accommodation expenses in the headquarters city when this is the location of the member of the family unit who is critically ill, for any reasonable period as determined by the deputy head.
54.18 In the event of death of a member of the family unit normally residing at the employee's post who is temporarily absent from the post for any reason other than temporary duty or for the purpose of undergoing medical treatment at a location approved by the deputy head, and interment or memorial service (where this is in lieu of interment) takes place away from the post, the deputy head shall authorize an allowance for the following expenses incurred by members of the family unit or a suitable escort if required:
(a) actual and reasonable return travelling expenses,
(i) for the members of the family unit residing at the employee's post, to the place of death and location of interment or memorial service (where this is in lieu of interment), minus return travelling expenses between the headquarters city and place of death and location of interment or memorial service (where this is in lieu of interment); and/or
(ii) for a dependent student, to the location of interment or memorial service (where this is in lieu of interment), minus return travelling expenses between the headquarters city and location of interment or memorial service (where this is in lieu of interment); and
(b) actual and reasonable accommodation expenses in the headquarters city when it is the place of interment or memorial service (where this is in lieu of interment), for a period not to exceed five days.
54.19 Where an infirm child is receiving care or training at an institution in Canada, by reason of a mental or physical disability, and travel in respect of that child has not been authorized during the preceding twelve-month period under FSD 51 - Family reunion, and neither parent has travelled to Canada under FSD 51 with respect to another child, the deputy head shall authorize a compassionate travel allowance for:
(a) actual and reasonable return travelling expenses
(i) twice a year for the employee and/or the employee's spouse or common-law partner, or
(ii) twice a year for an infirm child and an escort, or
(iii) once a year for the employee and/or the employee's spouse or common-law partner and once a year for an infirm child and escort;
between the employee's post and the location of the infirm child, minus return travelling expenses between the location of the infirm child and the headquarters city.
Instructions
1. The entitlement under (i), (ii) and (iii) above is a maximum of two trips/visits per year. For example, the employee and spouse or common-law partner cannot claim four individual trips by travelling separately at different times of the year.
2. Where one or both parents has/have travelled to Canada under Directive 51 with respect to another child, this would count as one trip, as they would be expected to visit the infirm child at the same time. This would reduce the travel entitlement under this directive by one trip.
54.20 In special situations the deputy head, on the recommendation of the appropriate foreign service interdepartmental co-ordinating committee, may extend, on the basis of guidelines prepared by the National Joint Council Committee on Foreign Service Directives, the provisions of this directive which deal with the "family unit" to include reimbursement of travel assistance for children of the employee over the age of 21 years.
54.21 In the event of death or critical illness (including critical injury) of the non-custodial parent of a child,
(a) who is residing with the employee at the mission, or
(b) who is a dependent student as defined in FSD 2.01(k) and is attending an educational institution outside Canada under the provisions of FSD 34 - Education Allowances
the deputy head shall authorize an allowance for:
(c) actual and reasonable return travelling expenses to the location of the child's other parent or the place of interment or memorial service (where this is in lieu of interment), minus return travelling expenses between the headquarters city and the location of the child's other parent; and
(d) actual and reasonable accommodation expenses in the headquarters city, for a period not to exceed five days, when it is the location of the child's other parent or is the place of interment or memorial service (where this is in lieu of interment);
incurred by the child and, when approved in advance by the deputy head, by the child's custodial parent or step-parent.
Travel leave
54.22 Where it is not feasible for the employee to travel during non-working hours, the deputy head shall authorise travel leave for an employee who is in receipt of an allowance under this directive for a period equal to:
(a) the travelling time between the employee's post and the location of the dependent child, in the event of illness or death of a dependent child; or
(b) the travelling time between the employee's post and the destination less the travelling time between the destination and the headquarters city in all other cases.
Instructions
1. In determining the employee's share of travelling expenses under the provisions of this directive, the deputy head shall take into consideration the type and mode of transportation used; for example:
(a) the employee's share shall be calculated using the same class of fare as used in the compasisonate travel;
(b) where travel for which the employee is responsible is in excess of 800 kilometres (500 miles) from the employee's headquarters city, Canadian airfare rates in effect on the date travel commences shall be used; or
(c) where travel for which the employee is responsible is within 800 kilometers (500 miles) of the employee's headquarters city, Canadian bus or rail costs, whichever are the lesser, shall be used;
(d) when an employee has claimed for travel by private motor vehicle, the employee's share shall be based on the lower kilometric/mileage rate for Ottawa for travel from Ottawa to the destination and return (http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/webarchives/20071116092351/http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pubs_pol/hrpubs/TBM_113/cad-datq-a_e.asp); and (revised July 1, 2005)
(e) where Canadian airlines provide special fares or rebates for compassionate travel in the event of bereavement, the employee's share shall be based on the discounted fare, notwithstanding the fact that the actual airline used did not offer a compassionate discount, and travel on a Canadian airline was not available or timely.
2. As travel normally originates from post, Post administration shall confirm whether foreign carriers offer special fares or rebates under their compassionate travel policy on international flights and, if offered, shall ensure that the employee is directed to apply for the appropriate refund. Any refund obtained by the employee shall be reimbursed to the Receiver General for Canada.
3. Where possible, the authorization of the provisions of this directive should be delegated to the senior officer.
4. In approving compassionate travel in the event of serious or critical illness (including serious or critical injury), the deputy head may require the employee to provide written confirmation by the attending physician.