The Government Travel Committee reviews the Government Travel Directive and the Commuting Assistance Directive and hears final level grievances on these authorities, when required by the Executive Committee. The Committee also recommends changes to various rates and premiums on a periodic basis.
Committee Advisor: Jennifer.Purdy@njc-cnm.gc.ca
Quarterly Report to the National Joint Council (June 2019)
Regular activities:
- The Committee has met twice (2) since the last Council meeting and reviewed two grievances, both related to allowances while on assignment.
- The Committee wishes to note the departure of Bertrand Myre, from CAPE and thank him for his contribution to the Committee over the last several years.
Cyclical review activities:
- On February 20, 2019, the Executive Committee was informed of the results of the Opting Call Letter for the Commuting Assistance Directive. At the Executive Committee’s March meeting, the results were discussed and the Committee considered the Treasury Board Secretariat’s objection to jurisdiction with respect to ensuring that the lower kilometric rate is no longer a taxable benefit and is considered in the same manner as the kilometric rate under the Travel Directive. Despite the above objection, the Executive Committee agreed to refer the Commuting Assistance Directive to the Government Travel Committee for the cyclical review of the Directive. It was also agreed the Government Travel Committee should consult the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) at the onset of cyclical review to establish the CRA’s criteria for determining whether a benefit is taxable and to seek the CRA’s position on whether the commuting assistance allowance is a taxable benefit. Likewise, the Government Travel Committee was directed to renew its consultation with the CRA upon completion of its review to ensure tax implications have been duly considered.
- On April 24, 2019, the Committee sent a letter to CRA reflecting the Executive Committee’s requests as noted above. The Committee has been informed by CRA that they are looking into the request.
- To date, the Committee has met twice (2) to discuss cyclical review matters and has made excellent progress.
Outstanding item(s):
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Eight (8) grievances:
Three (3) have been placed in abeyance at the request of the parties with the intent to settle, two (2) have been heard by the Government Travel Committee and are being referred to the Executive Committee at its June meeting for a decision, two (2), both of which are related to the kilometric rate, have been scheduled to be heard in the upcoming months, the NJC Secretariat continues to await additional information from the parties with respect to one (1) grievance and the final grievance, related to a meal allowance when breakfast is provided, is with the NJC Committee Advisor for analysis.
Next meetings: September 12, 2019