The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Relocation Program is designed to assist CAF members and their families with relocation in response to operational requirements. BGRS (Brookfield Global Relocation Services) is the primary contractor that manages the CAF Relocation Program. BGRS provides support services to CAF members and their families, offering professional advice, information, and assistance throughout the relocation process. The program aims to maximize the available provisions of the CAF Relocation Directive.
Key aspects of the CAF relocation program include:
- BGRS is the first point of contact for relocation assistance. They can be reached by email at info@bgrs.ca, by phone at (844) 447-5520, or through live chat on their website.
- Online Services: BGRS provides web-based services accessible 24/7, enabling CAF members to complete the relocation process electronically from any location with internet access. Agent assistance is also available from 0800 to 2000 (Eastern Time) Monday to Friday.
- The BGRS Guide website (bgrsguide.bgrs.ca) allows CAF members to view their relocation budget, track and request funds, upload receipts, track expenses, submit claims, and access relocation information.
- The BGRS mobile app provides an enhanced user experience, expense management tools, and map-enabled locations for schools, hospitals, and other points of interest.
- Member Secure Website (MSW): Through the MSW, CAF members can book planning sessions, review personalized tasks, access the Knowledge Centre, and view their move budget.
- Relocation Process:
- After receiving a posting message, CAF members must register on the BGRS website or mobile app.
- A Preliminary Relocation Assessment (PRA) must be completed before BGRS can provide services.
- Following the PRA, CAF members can book a 30-minute planning session with a BGRS agent. It is recommended that CAF members book their first planning session immediately after completing the PRA to secure priority scheduling during the Active Posting Season (APS).
- Responsibilities: CAF members are responsible for reviewing and registering on the BGRS website, booking planning sessions, entering banking information, reading the Relocation Directive, completing tasks, requesting funds, submitting expenses, booking travel, completing HG&E forms and finalizing the move file. BGRS facilitates the relocation experience, clarifies the directive, provides bilingual agents, prioritizes tasks, estimates funds, creates a move budget, advances funds, reviews expenses, facilitates travel and assists with HG&E forms.
- Funding:
- The CAF Relocation Program has a Core funding component for direct reimbursement of essential relocation expenditures.
- Relocation funding is distributed through Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).
- CAF members must add their banking information to their profile on the MSW and request advances through bgrsguide.bgrs.ca. It takes approximately 7 days for funds to be received after an advance is approved by BGRS.
- CAF Relocation Directive: The CAF Relocation Directive is available online and provides details on relocation benefits. A direct link is available on the BGRS website after completing the PRA.
- Key Benefits:
- House Hunting Trip (HHT): A 5-day/5-night trip, plus two travel days, for securing accommodation, with reimbursements for meals and lodgings. Dependant care assistance is also available during the HHT.
- Interim Lodgings, Meals, and Miscellaneous (ILM&M): Covers expenses when the movement of Household Goods and Effects (HG&E) is authorized, including meals, commercial or non-commercial lodging, and a miscellaneous allowance.
- Movement Grant: A non-taxable grant of $650 to offset expenses not specifically covered by the Relocation Directive.
- Posting/Relocation Allowance: Administered by the Base/Wing or centrally by CAF/DRBM for reserves.
- Private Motor Vehicle (PMV) Travel: Kilometric allowance, lodging and meals are paid to CAF members authorized to use a PMV.
- Commercial Travel: Booked through Global Business Travel (GBT) via the BGRS website for HHT, DIT, and Travel to New Location (TNL). Upgrades to Business or First Class are not authorized.
- Third Party Service Providers (TPSP): BGRS maintains a directory of suppliers (appraisers, lawyers, realtors, etc.) with agreed service levels and maximum rates. CAF members can select TPSPs directly, but may be responsible for costs exceeding the maximum ceiling rates if they choose a non-participating TPSP.
- Household Goods and Effects (HG&E): The CAF RP does not include the physical movement of HG&E, but BGRS can assist CAF members in completing the necessary forms. Members forward the completed forms to Base Traffic to arrange the move through the Household Goods and Removal Services (HGRS) contract.
- Temporary Dual Residence Assistance (TDRA): May be available to cover expenses associated with maintaining two residences, such as mortgage interest, property taxes, and utilities.
- Timing of Real Estate Transactions: A CAF member may claim benefits provided that the closing date of residence sold or purchased is no more than one year before or two years after the Change of Strength (COS) date or the date of the shipment of HG&E, whichever is later.
Housing Support: Canadian Forces Housing Differential (CFHD)
- The Canadian Forces Housing Differential (CFHD) is a policy designed to help CAF members adjust to varying housing costs across Canada. It replaced the Post Living Differential (PLD) on July 1, 2023.
- The aim of CFHD is to ensure that CAF members who are renting or purchasing primary residences on the economy will only pay 25% of their gross monthly salary towards their housing costs.
- CFHD rates are updated annually. The differential amounts are determined by the member’s pay level and place of duty.
- CFHD uses rental comparator values determined annually from independent sources.
- Not all CAF members are eligible for CFHD.
- Pay levels for Regular Force, Class C, and Class B Reserve are defined in tables with specific monetary amounts.
- CAF members meeting the criteria for Provisional Post-Living Differential (PPLD) will have payments adjusted automatically.
Other Important Information:
- Third-Party Service Providers (TPSPs) must be at arm’s length, as defined by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
- CAF members must retain original receipts for all claimed expenses, as prescribed by CRA guidelines.
- A property appraisal is required for homeowners to help establish market value, facilitate disposal, and build a relocation budget.
- CAF members can access a list of participating TPSPs through bgrsguide.bgrs.ca after completing the PRA.
- The Change of Strength (COS) date is typically the first day of travel, and CAF members coordinate the disposal and acquisition of their residence to coincide with the COS date. The Report for Duty (RFD) date is the first day the CAF member reports to their new place of duty, typically the day after travel is completed.
- Commercial travel bookings are managed by GBT and must be requested online via the MSW.
- The shipment of HG&E is managed through the HGRS contract, and CAF members must complete a Movement of Household Goods form with BGRS’ assistance and submit it to the Base Traffic/Furniture and Effects (F&E) Agent.
- For any issues, members can contact BGRS, the CFIRP Coordinator, or Director of Relocation Business Management.
This detailed summary covers the main aspects of the CAF relocation process and housing support. It is important for CAF members to familiarize themselves with the CAF Relocation Directive and BGRS resources to ensure a smooth relocation.