Recommendations on Systemic Issues

Topic

Case numbers

Issue

The Board found that the SE and IR policies are not reconcilable since the SE benefit is governed by a TB regulation, while IR requirements are provided under a CANFORGEN. In terms of approval authorities, the IR policy gives the career manager the authority to approve IR status, while DCBA controls the payment of the SE, the benefit which flows from the IR designation. The Board has expressed the view that since both the IR status and SE benefits are so interrelated, there should only be one authority to approve them both. In a number of cases reviewed by the Board so far, the career manager has authorized an IR only to have DCBA revoke the SE in arrears. In some cases this caused significant amounts of money to be recovered. As well, CF members have been left with extra living and/or transportation expenses that they might not have incurred had the IR been properly authorized or denied in the first place.

Recommendation

The Board recommended that the CDS direct an IR policy review and representations be made to the TB if necessary in order to clearly address IR status and SE entitlements or ineligibilities through proper regulations. The Board further recommend that, in the interim, clear direction be issued to the IR approval authority regarding the circumstances under which IR may be approved so as to avoid the regrettable situation of having one authority approve a benefit while another cancels it.

Final Authority Decision