May 1, 2025
The Isolated Posts and Government Housing Committee has developed the following questions and answers in order to provide departments/agencies, bargaining agents and employees with information on the application of the new version of the Isolated Posts and Government Housing Directive (IPGHD) which comes into effect June 1, 2025.
General
Responsibility
Q1. Who can I contact with questions about the provisions of the IPGHD?
A1. The Designated Departmental Coordinator (DDC) is responsible for the internal application of the IPGHD and is the departmental contact regarding its provisions. An updated list of DDCs can be found here.
Definitions
Q1. Why was a definition for “Relocation Upon End of Employment” added?
A1. A definition was introduced to provide clarity that Relocation Upon End of Employment applies when employment with the Federal Public Service has ended.
Part I – Administration of Allowances
Q1. Why has the language on the Shelter Cost Differential (SCD) changed?
A1. The revised Shelter Cost Differential (SCD) methodology, approved by the Isolated Post and Government Housing Committee, came into effect on August 1, 2023. The new information reflects the changes to the SCD methodology that were incorporated into the IPGHD and the Communiqués published on July 4, 2023, and November 8, 2023.
Part II – Designations and Payments
Q1. Why was the term “allowances” changed to “allowances and benefits” in subsections 2.1.2 and 2.2.1?”
A1. Under the IPGHD, allowances (e.g. Environment Allowance, Living Cost Differential and Fuel and Utilities Differential) are distinct from benefits (e.g. non-elective medical or dental treatment, compassionate travel, bereavement travel, vacation travel assistance). Entitlement to benefits begins once an employee arrives at the isolated post, as it does for allowances.
Part III – Expenses and Leave
Q1. Why is there a new Accountable Advances section in Part III?
A1. An accountable advance provision has been added as an additional option for employees approved for travel under sections 3.2 Non-Elective Medical or Dental Treatment, 3.3 Compassionate Travel and Expenses, and 3.4 Bereavement Travel and Expenses. The addition of this option does not affect entitlement to these provisions.
Q2. Am I required to request an accountable advance?
A2. The new accountable advance option is voluntary and will be considered at the request of the employee. Employees are under no obligation to request such an advance.
Q3. How do I request an accountable advance?
A3. An employee approved for travel under sections 3.2, 3.3 or 3.4 who opts to request an accountable advance will submit a travel estimate as per departmental processes. An advance will be issued upon approval.
Once the employee has completed the travel, they will submit a claim as per the usual process, indicating the amount received for the advance, as well as the balance owing to the employee or to the department, based on receipts.
Advances must be accounted for and any unexpended balance must be repaid in full within ten days after the purpose for which the advance was made has been fulfilled, in accordance with the Financial Administration Act. Repayment options will be based on departmental processes.
Please reach out to your Designated Departmental Coordinator for additional details.
Part IV - Relocation to an Isolated Post
Q1. Why was the language in section 4.2 Medical Clearances changed?
A1. Language in section 4.2 was updated to reflect current Health Canada terminology and practices.
Q2. Who is exempt from an occupational health evaluation?
A2. Employees who currently reside at the isolated post headquarters to which they are being appointed do not require an occupational health evaluation.
Q3. Who pays for the occupational health evaluation (e.g., medical examination)?
A3. The department will pay for costs associated with the occupational health evaluation.
Q4. What are my entitlements when I relocate to or from an isolated post?
A4. An employee authorized to relocate under the National Joint Council (NJC) Relocation Directive or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Relocation Directive to or from an isolated post headquarters will be governed by the applicable relocation directive and subject to the restrictions and provisions of Part IV of the IPGHD. For clarity, the IPGHD and the applicable relocation directive should be read together to understand the entitlements under both directives.
Part V - Relocation Upon End of Employment
Q1. To whom does “Relocation Upon End of Employment” apply in the IPGHD?
A1. Benefits under Part V are reserved for employees who relocated to the isolated post under the NJC Relocation Directive or the RCMP Relocation Directive.
Appendices
Q1. Why has the name of my isolated post location changed in Appendix A?
A1. The lists of isolated posts and special locations have been updated. There are no changes to the entitlement for these locations due to a name change.
Q2. What information is new for the occupancy agreement?
A2. Wording has been revised to reflect the requirement for departments and occupants to sign an occupancy agreement. In addition, text has been introduced to reinforce that non-payment of rent and termination of employment are grounds for notice to terminate the occupancy agreement.