Terms and Conditions of Employment for
Full-Time Governor in Council Appointees
Government of Canada
September 2002
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Foreword
- Appointment, Tenure and Related Matters
- Conflict of Interest
- Official Languages
- Compensation
- Leave with and without Pay
- Insurance Plans
- Pension Plan
- Payments on Termination
- Executive Vehicles
- Parking
- Membership Fees
- Hospitality
- Business Travel
- Relocation
REFERENCES
I. FOREWORD
The Management Priorities and Senior Personnel Secretariat of the Privy
Council Office has produced this booklet to provide full-time Governor in
Council appointees in departments, agencies, boards and commissions with an
overview of their terms and conditions of employment.
Unless otherwise stipulated, Governor in Council appointees are subject to
the same terms and conditions of employment approved by the Treasury Board for
the Executive Group in the public service. For more detailed information on
their terms and conditions of employment, appointees are encouraged to contact
their organization’s human resources office or to visit the Treasury Board
Secretariat of Canada Web site at: http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information
contained in this booklet, it is a summary of applicable policies and should
not be cited as an authority.
This booklet can be found on the Privy Council Office Web site at: http://www.pco-bcp.gc.ca
Management Priorities and Senior Personnel Secretariat
Privy Council Office
September 2002
II. APPOINTMENT, TENURE AND RELATED MATTERS
Appointments are made by the Governor in Council, that is by the Governor
General on the advice of the Queen’s Privy Council as represented by Cabinet,
through an Order in Council which normally specifies the term and tenure of the
appointment. The salary on appointment is either included in a schedule to the
appointing Order in Council or in a schedule to a separate Order in Council for
a class of positions in an organization. An individual’s salary is protected
as personal information, in accordance with provisions of the Privacy Act.
Appointments are for either a fixed term or an indeterminate period and their
tenure is either "during good behaviour" or "during
pleasure". Appointees who hold office during good behaviour may be removed
by the Governor in Council for cause. Appointees who hold office during pleasure
may be replaced or removed at the discretion of the Governor in Council.
When a term is specified in an Order in Council, the appointment ends at its
expiration, unless there is a legislative provision to the contrary. The
appointee may be reappointed to the same position, but since appointments are
made at the discretion of the Governor in Council, renewal is not automatic. In
some cases, statutory provisions prohibit the reappointment of an appointee to
the same position.
Where no term is specified, appointees continue in office until they resign,
are appointed to another position, are replaced or are removed from office. The Public
Service Staff Relations Act, which normally governs employer/employee
relations in the public service, does not apply to "a person appointed by
the Governor in Council under an Act of Parliament to a statutory position
described in that Act ". As a result, appointees are not subject to
collective bargaining or grievance arbitration.
When a Governor in Council appointee resigns, the letter of resignation
should be sent to the agency head, the responsible minister or the Clerk of the
Privy Council, as applicable.
III. CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Governor in Council appointees are required to perform their duties in the
public interest. Their impartiality must be beyond reproach. Consequently, the
government has established for public office holders the Conflict of Interest
and Post-Employment Code which explains the steps to be taken to avoid real or
apparent conflicts between their private interests and public responsibilities.
The Code sets standards to maintain and enhance public confidence in the
integrity of public office holders. It contains measures for compliance while in
office and afterward. Specific requirements include the types of assets that
public office holders may have and the outside activities in which they may
engage.
The Ethics Counsellor is responsible for administering this program.
Appointees may discuss their circumstances in confidence with officials in the
Office of the Ethics Counsellor.
IV. OFFICIAL LANGUAGES
The Official Languages Act of 1988 is built on the Canadian Charter
of Rights and Freedoms. This Act applies to all federal institutions,
including departments, agencies, Crown corporations and in whole or in part, to
other institutions through their divestiture legislation.
The objectives of the government's official languages program are to provide
service to the public in the official language of its choice as set out in the Official
Languages Act and Regulations, as required under the Act, to allow
employees in federal institutions to work in the official language of their
choice, and to provide the two official language groups with equal opportunities
to participate in federal institutions.
The Government expects that senior officers and executives will support these
objectives and its commitment under the Act by assisting in the
development of official language minority communities, by fully recognizing the
use of both English and French in Canadian society, and by personally promoting
the use of both official languages in their institutions.
Furthermore, the Act specifies that both English and French are the
official languages of federal courts and that everyone is entitled to use one or
the other in all matters brought before the courts. Federal courts, including
administrative tribunals, must ensure that the individuals hearing the
proceedings understand English or French, or both, without the assistance of an
interpreter.
V. COMPENSATION
Deputy Ministers are appointed to level. That is, they are paid within the DM
1, 2, 3 or 4 salary ranges depending on the scope and complexity of their
responsibilities, the level of their experience and their performance.
Most other Governor in Council appointees are paid within the salary range
for the classified level of their position, GC 1-10 or GCQ 1-10. The level of a
position is determined through the application of the Hay position evaluation
plan, which ensures consistency and equity in the determination of compensation
across organizations.
Deputy Ministers and some other Governor in Council appointees receive
compensation which is comprised of a base salary and an annual re-earnable lump
sum payment known as at risk pay. Salary progression through the salary range
and the award of at risk pay, subject to Governor in Council approval, are based
on the individual’s performance which is evaluated annually against
pre-established ongoing commitments and key commitments.
Those Governor in Council appointees whose duties and responsibilities
require independence from the government are not eligible for at risk pay.
Direct deposit of pay is required for all full-time appointees. The pay is
deposited on a bi-weekly basis.
VI. LEAVE WITH AND WITHOUT PAY
Governor in Council appointees may be awarded different types of leave during
the period of their appointment. Depending on the reason for the leave it may be
with or without pay. Following is a description of these different types of
leave.
1. Paid Vacation Leave
Four (4) weeks of leave per fiscal year on appointment to the public service
(accrued at the rate of 1 2/3 days for each month that the appointee earned
10 or more days' pay).
Five (5) weeks of leave per fiscal year (accrued at the rate of 2 1/12 days
for each month that the appointee earned 10 or more days' pay) when the
appointee has completed:
• 10 years of service as a Governor in Council appointee or as a member
of the Executive Group in the public service; or
• 15 years of service of which at least 5 are as an appointee or a
member of the Executive Group in the public service;
• 20 years of service; or
• the appointee is already entitled to this number of weeks of vacation
leave on appointment from another group in the public service or another
federal Crown organization.
Since April 1, 2000, six (6) weeks of leave per fiscal year (accrued at the
rate of 2 ½ days for each month that the appointee earned 10 or more days’
pay) when the appointee has completed a total of 28 years of service or the
appointee is already entitled to this number of weeks of vacation leave in the
public service or another federal Crown organization. Service for these purposes
does not include pensionable service transferred from another pension plan
through a Pension Transfer Agreement.
Under certain circumstances, appointees from another federal Crown
organization may be able to transfer accumulated vacation leave credits at the
time of appointment to the organization to which they are being appointed.
Vacation leave is intended for use in the year in which it is earned. Leave
not used during that time may be carried forward, but the accumulation of
vacation leave is generally limited to one year's entitlement. At the end of the
fiscal year, March 31, organizations normally make cash payments for
accumulated vacation leave that cannot be carried forward.
With the approval of the immediate supervisor, the appointee may carry
forward up to one year's entitlement of earned but unused vacation leave credits
beyond the permitted maximum accumulation. Any leave carried forward under this
exception must be used within the immediate fiscal year or be subject to
mandatory cash-out at the end of the fiscal year, March 31.
Earned but unused vacation leave credits are automatically paid in cash on
termination.
2. Paid Statutory Holidays
There are eleven (11) paid statutory holidays per year:
• New Year's Day
• Good Friday
• Easter Monday
• Victoria Day
• Canada Day
• Labour Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Remembrance Day
• Christmas Day
• Boxing Day
• A provincial or civic holiday
3. Paid Sick Leave
Appointees are entitled to fifteen (15) days of paid sick leave per fiscal
year (accrued at the rate of 1 1/4 days for each month that the appointee earned
at least 10 days' pay) with no limit on the total days accumulated.
To support the use of sick leave, a medical certificate may be required by
the deputy head.
At the discretion of the deputy head, appointees may be granted up to 130
continuous days of paid sick leave if they have not accumulated enough credits
to cover an illness. This additional leave may be granted only once in a
person's career and will not be recovered from future sick leave credits.
Under certain circumstances, appointees from another federal Crown
organization may be able to transfer accumulated sick leave credits at the time
of appointment to the organization to which they are being appointed.
No compensation is paid for unused sick leave credits upon termination.
4. Leave for Family Responsibilities
a) Leave with Pay (Discretionary)
Appointees may be granted a total of five days' leave with pay during any
fiscal year for family-related responsibilities such as:
• care of a sick member of the family;
• needs related to the birth or adoption of a child; or
• to take a member of the family to a health or education-related
appointment.
b) Leave without Pay (Mandatory)
Maternity Leave
An appointee who is pregnant, shall, at her request, be granted maternity
leave without pay commencing before, on or after the date of childbirth, as the
appointee decides, and ending not later than 17 weeks following the date of
childbirth. A maternity allowance provides income maintenance to the level of
93% of salary for a period of up to 17 weeks, inclusive of the two-week waiting
period under the Employment Insurance System. The combined period of maternity
leave without pay and parental leave without pay available to a female appointee
after childbirth is limited to 41 weeks.
Parental Leave
An appointee, male or female, who becomes a parent through the birth or
adoption of a child shall be granted parental leave without pay for a single
period of up to 24 consecutive weeks beginning on or after the date of the child’s
birth or in the case of adoption, the date of the acceptance of custody of the
child.
Care and Nurturing Leave
At the appointee's request, leave without pay shall be granted, in one or
more periods (minimum six (6) months each occurrence) not exceeding five (5)
years in total, for the care and nurturing of pre-school age children. In
special circumstances, such leave may be authorized for periods of less than six
(6) months.
5. Special Leave
a) Special Leave with Pay (Mandatory)
Special leave with pay shall be granted for:
• jury duty;
• appearing before any body authorized by law to compel the attendance of
witnesses; or
• participating in a personnel selection process or an appeal process for
any position within an organization in the Government of Canada.
b) Special Leave with Pay (Discretionary)
At the discretion of the deputy head, special leave with pay may be granted
for any purpose not otherwise specified. Examples where such leave might be
granted are bereavement, marriage, or significant excessive hours worked.
c) Special Leave without Pay (Discretionary)
Special leave without pay may be granted for any purpose not otherwise
specified. Since most Governor in Council appointments are for a specified
term and renewal is not automatic, this type of leave would likely be granted
only under exceptional circumstances.
6. Leave for Work-related Illness or Injury
Appointees may receive benefits during absences caused by occupational
illness or injury. However, these benefits must be adjudicated and require the
approval of the Workers' Compensation Board of the province in which the
appointee works.
VII. INSURANCE PLANS
Most Governor in Council appointees are eligible for participation in the
public service insurance plans.
1. Public Service Management
Insurance Plan (PSMIP)
(a) Life Insurance
Basic Life
Benefit: Two (2) years’ adjusted annual salary (rounded to the
nearest $1,000)
Cost: Employer-paid
Note: Upon termination of employment, appointees may convert to a private
policy the Basic Life Insurance coverage under PSMIP with the carrier within
31 days from departure and without proof of insurability. The cost would be
paid by the appointee at commercial rates.
Supplementary Life
Optional: Available upon application and submission to the Insurer of
satisfactory evidence of insurability.
Benefit: One year's adjusted annual salary reduced by 10% for every
year of age beyond age 60 to a minimum of 10% of the appointee's adjusted
salary while employed as a Governor in Council appointee.
Cost: Employee-paid
Note: Upon termination of employment, appointees may convert to a private
policy the Supplementary Life Insurance coverage under PSMIP with the carrier
within 31 days from departure and without proof of insurability. The cost
would be paid by the appointee at commercial rates.
Post-Retirement Life
Benefit: 100% of adjusted final salary (salary at retirement excluding
any retroactive revisions) during the first year of retirement, 75% during
the second year, 50% during the third year, and 25% thereafter for life,
if the appointee retires with an immediate reduced or unreduced pension.
Cost: Employer-paid
Dependants' Life
Benefit: $5,000 for the death of spouse and $2,500 for the death of
each dependent child.
Cost: Employer-paid
Note: Upon termination of employment, appointees may convert to a private
policy the Dependants’ Life Insurance coverage under PSMIP with the carrier
within 31 days from departure and without proof of insurability. The cost
would be paid by the appointee at commercial rates.
(b) Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
Benefit: Appointee —$250,000 for accidental death. In case of
dismemberment, benefits are paid according to a benefit schedule.
Dependants — $5,000 (spouse), $2,500 (dependent child) in
circumstances as described for members.
Cost: Employer-paid
Note: Upon termination of employment, coverage under Accidental Death and
Dismemberment Insurance ceases.
(c) Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
Benefit: 70% of annual salary, increased each January 1 by increases
in the Consumer Price Index to a maximum of 3%, payable after all sick
leave credits are used or 13 weeks of total disability, whichever is
longer, for a period of:
• up to 24 months if the appointee is totally disabled for
essential functions of his or her own job;
• thereafter, until age 65 if the appointee is totally
disabled for any reasonably commensurate employment that
provides at least b of
the current salary of the appointee's former position.
Cost: Employer-paid
2. Supplementary Death Benefit Plan
(Public Service Superannuation Act
— PSSA)
This plan applies only to appointees who are members of the Public Service
Superannuation Plan. It provides additional compulsory life insurance coverage,
equal to two (2) times the annual salary, while participating in the plan.
Benefit: Compulsory life insurance coverage while employed
equal to two (2) times annual salary until the member's 66th birthday.
Upon reaching age 66, the benefit reduces by 10% per year to a minimum
of $10,000.
Cost: The appointee pays $0.15 per $1,000 of coverage.
Upon termination of employment, appointees may elect to continue coverage.
The cost may vary depending on the type of retirement benefit received, i.e.
immediate annuity, annual allowance or deferred annuity.
Note: Explanations of the terms "immediate annuity",
"annual allowance" and "deferred annuity" may be found
in section VIII which describes the pension plan.
3. Provincial Health Insurance Plans
Benefit: Insures appointees and dependants for physicians' and
surgeons' fees and other medical expenses and standard ward
accommodation in a hospital in Canada.
Cost: Shared 50/50 in provinces which levy direct premiums
(i.e. British Columbia and Alberta). If the appointee retires and
receives benefits under the Public Service Superannuation Act (PSSA),
the employer continues to share the cost 50/50.
4. Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP)
(a) Extended Health Care
Benefit: Reimbursement of 80% of eligible expenses after an annual
deductible ($60 single/$100 family) for specified medical expenses not
covered under provincial health insurance plans (e.g. prescription drugs,
vision care, etc.).
Cost: Employer-paid
Note: Appointees may be subject to a waiting period at the time of
initial appointment.
(b) Supplementary Hospital Accommodation
Benefit: Reimbursement of up to $150 per day towards the cost of a
semi-private or private room, Level III accommodation.
Cost: Employer-paid
(c) Travel Benefit
Benefit: Reimbursement of 100% of costs for emergency medical treatment
not covered by the appointee’s provincial health insurance plan, for
appointees and their dependants when travelling outside of Canada for
personal reasons, for up to 40 days from departure from Canada, up to a
limit of $100,000 per person. This benefit also applies to Quebec
residents while they are travelling in another province, since the Quebec
health insurance plan may not cover the full cost of treatment in another
province.
Cost: Employer-paid
(d) Out-of-Province Treatment Benefit
Benefit: Reimbursement of 80% of costs up to a limit of $25,000 for
charges for public ward accommodation in a hospital outside of Canada, and
charges for the services of physicians and surgeons which exceed the
amount covered by the appointee's provincial health insurance plan, when
the appointee or dependants are referred for treatment by a physician in
the appointee's province of residence because the treatment is not offered
in the appointee's province of residence.
Cost: Employer-paid
Note: Coverage under the Public Service Health Care Plan may be continued
if the appointee retires and is in receipt of an annuity under the PSSA,
with the cost shared by the appointee and the employer.
5. Public Service Dental Care Plan (DCP)
Benefit: Reimbursement of a percentage of the costs for eligible
services after a calendar year deductible ($25 single/ $50 family) to
the limits shown in the provincial or territorial dental fee guide in
effect for the previous year. Except for orthodontic work, there is a
reimbursement limit of $1,300 per calendar year per covered person for
dental expenses. The lifetime limit for orthodontic expenses is $2,500
per covered person.
Expenses reimbursed at 50% include major restorative, major
prosthodontic and orthodontic work.
Expenses reimbursed at 90% include diagnostic, preventive and minor
restorative work
Note: Appointees may be subject to a waiting period at the time of
initial appointment.
If a person joins the plan on or after July 1, the maximum
reimbursement amount per person, excluding orthodontic services, is $650
for the year.
Cost: Employer-paid
Note: Coverage under the Public Service Dental Care Plan ceases on
termination of employment.
6. Pensioners Dental Services Plan (PDSP)
Benefit: The PDSP is an optional, contributory dental plan providing
coverage for eligible pensioners (including survivors) under the Public
Service Superannuation Plan and a number of other federal superannuation
plans. There are three possible levels of coverage: pensioner alone;
pensioner and one eligible family member; pensioner and two or more
eligible family members.
Cost: The pensioner pays 40% of the cost and the government pays 60%.
The cost will vary according to the coverage selected.
VIII. PENSION PLAN
(Public Service Superannuation Act) (PSSA)
(Special Retirement Arrangements Act) (SRAA)
Eligibility — (minimum requirements)
Most Governor in Council appointees are eligible to participate in the plan.
In certain cases, participation may require Governor in Council approval. In
some cases, however, legislation prevents a Governor in Council appointee from
participating in the plan.
For members of the plan, the minimum requirement to be eligible for a pension
is completion of at least two years of pensionable service. If this requirement
is not met, the appointee's contributions plus interest, as determined on a
quarterly basis, are automatically returned to the appointee on termination of
employment.
Pensionable service comprises current employment as a contributor and any
periods of prior employment established as pensionable which the appointee has
purchased under the elective service provisions of the plan or pursuant to a
Pension Transfer Agreement between employers. Under the transfer provisions, the
appointee may be required to pay an additional amount to ensure that all or a
portion of prior service is recognized as pensionable under the terms of the
plan.
Benefits
Immediate Annuity - an unreduced pension which is calculated
using the following formula: 2% X the number of years of pensionable service
(maximum 35) X average salary over the best five (5) consecutive years of
highest salary if the appointee:
a) retires at age 60 or older and has at least two years of pensionable
service;
b) retires at age 55 or older and has at least 30 years of pensionable
service; or
c) is disabled before age 60 with two or more years of pensionable
service.
Deferred Annuity (optional) — unreduced pension payable at age
60 to those who leave the public service prior to age 60 with two or more
years of pensionable service but who do not qualify for an immediate
annuity on the date of termination.
Note: Plan members entitled to a deferred annuity may, at any time after
reaching age 50, elect to receive an annual allowance.
Annual Allowance (optional) — a reduced
pension payable as early as age 50, calculated as follows:
Formula 1: (applicable only to those aged 50 or more at the
termination date with 25 or more years of pensionable service) - the lower
annual allowance of:
(a) the deferred annuity amount reduced by 5% for each year (to the
nearest tenth) that the age is less than 55, or
(b) the deferred annuity amount reduced by 5% for each year (to the
nearest tenth) that pensionable years are less than 30.
Formula 2: (applicable to all others) - the deferred annuity amount
reduced by 5% for each year of age (to the nearest tenth) less than 60
(maximum 50%).
For those eligible for Formula 1, the higher annual allowance from either
Formula 1 or 2 is the annual allowance paid.
Transfer Value (optional) — a lump sum
amount which would be required today to fund a particular amount of pension
benefit normally payable in
the future.
Eligibility: If a plan member has at least two years of pensionable
service and is less than age 50 at termination of employment, that person
may choose a Transfer Value instead of a deferred annuity.
Formula: The transfer value is based on the deferred annuity that
would be payable at age 60, and takes into account factors such as the
member's salary and service, CPP/QPP contributions and benefits, pension
indexing, demographic and economic assumptions as well as interest applied
to the pension fund. This option is irrevocable and must be made within one
year of termination of employment.
Survivor Benefits
Spouse: lifetime allowance calculated as 1% X the number of years of
pensionable service (maximum 35) X average salary over the best five (5)
consecutive years of highest salary.
Eligible child: normally 20% each of the spouse's allowance (but the
maximum amount payable cannot exceed 80%).
Survivor benefits are payable upon the death of a plan member who had
completed at least two years of pensionable service. Otherwise, a return of
contributions is paid. Common law spouses may be recognized as the surviving
spouse.
A spouse married after the member's retirement would not normally be
entitled to an allowance. The member may elect, however, to reduce the
amount of his or her pension in order to provide survivor benefit protection
for a spouse married after retirement.
Guaranteed Minimum Benefit —
Every plan member with a vested benefit is guaranteed that the equivalent of
at least five years of pension
payments will be made to or in respect of the member. Benefits can take the
form of pension payments to the plan member, to his
or her survivors, or a lump sum paid to a designated Supplementary Death
Benefit beneficiary, or to a combination of these
as provided by the terms of the plan.
Pension Increases — Pension
payments are adjusted each January 1 by a percentage equal to the average
monthly increase in the Consumer Price
Index during the year ending the previous September. The first increase after
retirement is prorated to reflect the number of full
months of retirement in the retirement year.
Cost: Shared. The member pays 7.5% of salary (minus the amount required
for Canada/Quebec Pension Plan) to a maximum of 35 years.
Note: The benefits of the pension plan, like its contributions, are
integrated with the Canada and Quebec Pension plans(C/QPP). At age 65, an
individual’s Public Service Pension Plan benefits are reduced to take into
account C/QPP.
Post-Employment Participation
(Special Retirement Arrangements Act — SRAA)
Deputy heads who leave the public service before age 60 with at least 10
years of pensionable service and prior to having reached the combination of 55
years of age and 30 years of service, may elect to continue to contribute to the
pension plan until age 60. This election must be made before the date of
termination, and the former deputy head pays two (2) times the plan member's
contributions (minus CPP/QPP), based on the plan member's salary at departure,
adjusted from time to time for future increases in the salary range.
If the former deputy head makes this election under the Special Retirement
Arrangements Act, he or she may also elect, before the date of termination
of employment, to continue coverage under the Supplementary Death Benefit Plan (PSSA),
the Public Service Management Insurance Plan, the Public Service Health Care
Plan and the Public Service Dental Care Plan. The cost of this coverage is paid
by the former deputy head.
IX. PAYMENTS ON TERMINATION
1. Severance Pay
Appointees are entitled to one week's pay for each completed year of service
up to 28 weeks, payable on termination of employment, regardless of reason for
departure, reduced by amounts previously granted. Under certain circumstances,
appointees from another federal Crown organization may be able to
transfer severance entitlements at the time of appointment to the organization
to which they are being appointed.
2. Additional Death Benefit
Applicable to some appointees who were not contributors to the Public Service
Pension Plan: a sum equal to two months of salary payable to the surviving
spouse or, if necessary, such person as the Treasury Board determines.
3. Salary for the Month of Death
If the appointee has one or more years of service, salary for the full month
in which the appointee dies will be paid to a named beneficiary or to the
appointee's estate. The amount of the payment will be the monthly rate of pay
minus any salary payments already made in the month of death.
X. EXECUTIVE VEHICLES
Deputy Ministers and appointees who hold a personal classification equivalent
to the DM-2 level (GC-9-10 or GCQ 9-10) or above; hold a position which is
classified at these levels on a full-time basis; and occupy the most senior
position in the organization may use an executive vehicle for personal and
business purposes.
The personal use of the vehicle is a taxable benefit.
XI. PARKING
Governor in Council appointees are eligible for reimbursement up to 50% of:
• the monthly rate charged for Crown parking facilities; or
• the monthly rate charged for commercial facilities, limited to a
maximum of the equivalent Crown rate.
This is a taxable benefit.
XII. MEMBERSHIP FEES
The government reimburses fees when membership in an organization is required
for the performance of official functions or directly serves the government's
interests.
Fees for membership in community, commercial or other special interest
organizations may be paid only in exceptional circumstances when the deputy head
believes that membership can contribute to achieving the objectives of the
department or agency.
Reimbursement of membership fees for primarily social, recreational or
fraternal organizations is subject to the approval of the responsible Minister.
XIII. HOSPITALITY
Expenditure of public money for hospitality is strictly limited to
initiatives that facilitate operational objectives or comply with the
requirements of courtesy or protocol. Generally, hospitality expenditures are
reimbursed only when recipients are not government employees and the occasion
marks important meetings, conferences and ceremonies.
XIV. BUSINESS TRAVEL
The standards and conditions governing travel on government business are
prescribed in the Treasury Board Travel Directive, Special Travel Authorities
and Travel Administration Guide. The provisions in these documents apply to
all Governor in Council appointees except those employed in organizations which
have the authority to establish their own.
The provisions are mandatory and represent reimbursement of reasonable
expenses necessarily incurred while travelling on official business. The
major elements of travelling expenses are as follows:
1. Transportation
Deputy Ministers (DM 1-4) and appointees at the GC/GCQ 8-10 levels and above
may use business class air travel but must book through the Government Travel
Service. They may claim expenses in excess of the per diems specified in the
Travel Directive, based on receipts, subject to the general principles specified
in the Travel Directive (i.e. commercial accommodation, telephone calls,
meals and incidentals).
Appointees at the GC/GCQ-3 or higher levels who occupy positions outside the
National Capital Region and all appointees at the GC/GCQ-4 or higher levels may
be authorized to use business class air travel when circumstances and distances
warrant. In order to reduce business class air travel, the distance should
exceed 850 kilometres by air one way.
For short distances, surface transportation, including personal vehicles, may
be authorized.
First class air travel was eliminated by Cabinet direction in February 1992.
Travel Loyalty Programs
Governor in Council appointees may enrol in the travel loyalty program of
their choice provided they notify the Government Travel Service. Appointees may
redeem travel points for personal and/or business use. Appointees must contact
their travel loyalty programs directly, not the Government Travel Service to
redeem benefits.
When redeemed for personal use, travel points must be declared as a taxable
benefit in accordance with the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency’s
Interpretation Bulletin IT-470R (Consolidated) - Employee Fringe Benefits. The
government will not issue a T4 or T4A slip in this regard. It is the
responsibility of appointees to report the applicable taxable benefit when
completing their annual tax return.
2. Accommodation and Other Expenses
Hotels
The Accommodation and Car Rental Directory no longer lists
properties on white or green pages. Accommodations are now listed as within
the city rate limit or above the city rate limit. Accommodation above the
city rate limit must be justified on the travel claim. Selection of such
properties should be because it is cost-effective or because exceptional
circumstances warrant.
Meals
While on travel status, claims may include the daily meal allowances or
actual and reasonable meal expenses, supported by receipts. Actual meal
expenses shall not include alcohol or the additional cost of room service,
which is to be identified by the claimant.
Incidentals
This allowance covers such items as gratuities, a daily newspaper,
laundry and dry cleaning over the duration of a trip, even though a
particular expense may be higher on a given day. Actual incidental costs may
be claimed in unusual circumstances. On those days, the standard incidental
allowance is not provided. However, if one decides to claim actual
incidental costs for laundry and dry cleaning, the incidental allowance may
not be claimed for the whole trip. In such cases, all incidental expenses
incurred on that trip would be reimbursed only on the basis of receipts.
Taxis and Parking
When in travel status, actual expenses may be claimed for taxis and
parking, on the honour system (without receipts). However, it has been the
general practice to submit receipts.
Calls Home
When using inter-city authorization codes, appointees may maintain family
contact in travel status through telephone calls home at their discretion,
but personal calls, other than calls home, are the financial responsibility
of the appointee. When inter-city authorization codes are not used, the
regular telephone provisions of the Travel Directive apply.
XV. RELOCATION
The Treasury Board Integrated Relocation Program is a one-stop shopping
concept designed to provide appointees with a menu of move-related options to
address their relocation needs. The receiving organization will advise the
relocation service with whom the government has contracted, of the person’s
appointment. A consultant from the relocation service will then explain the
program in detail to the appointee and assist him or her in tailoring and
optimizing available benefits. This professional assistance will be available
throughout every step of the move.
REFERENCES
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
"Conflict of Interest and Post-Employment Code for Public Office
Holders", published by the Office of the Ethics Counsellor, is available in
electronic format at the following Web site: http://www.parl.gc.ca/oec/en/public_office_holders/conflict_of_interest/
OTHER PLANS AND POLICIES REFERRED TO IN THIS BOOKLET
Further information on plans and policies in this booklet can be obtained by
consulting the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's Web site at:
http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca
The following documents are available on the Privy Council Office Web site
at: http://www.pco-bcp.gc.ca
Building a Governor in Council Position Accountability Profile
Performance Management Program
Salary Ranges for Full-Time Governor in Council Appointees
Terms and Conditions of Employment for Full-time Governor in Council
Appointees - September 2002
Minister of Supply and Services Canada 2002
Cat. No. CP22-16/2002
ISBN 0-662-666818-9
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