The Isolated Posts and Government Housing Committee reviews and recommends changes to the Isolated Posts and Government Housing Directives and hears final level grievances on these authorities, when required by the Executive Committee. The Committee also recommends changes to various rates and allowances on a periodic basis.
Committee Advisor: Jennifer.Purdy@njc-cnm.gc.ca
Quarterly Report to the National Joint Council (September 2019)
Regular activities:
- The Committee met once (1) since the last Council meeting.
- In June 2018 the Committee referred a dispute relating to the 2017 assessment of the Environment Allowance to the Executive Committee as the IPGH Committee could not reach consensus on four specific issues related to the access factor. The dispute was resolved through mediated discussions and a binding decision of a third-party adjudicator. In light of the outcomes reached on the four issues, the Executive Committee approved the results of the 2017 Environment Allowance review. As such, the results of the review were posted on the NJC website and effective as of July 1, 2019.
- The Shelter Cost Differential (SCD) is an amount which is payable to employees in private accommodation and in government housing at qualifying posts to help offset the higher shelter costs at these locations. The methodology which is currently identified in the Guide to the NJC Rates and Allowances specifies that the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) reviews the SCD on an annual basis. However, this practice stopped in 2012.
- An interim methodology has been in place to update the SCD on an annual basis since 2013. In June, the Executive Committee approved the use of the interim methodology once again for the 2019-2020 rental period. That said, the IPGH Committee continues to work on developing a revised methodology which will be presented to the Executive Committee once agreed upon. This revised methodology will eventually be sent for approval to the President of the Treasury Board.
Outstanding items:
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Five (5) grievances:
- Three (3), related to Vacation Travel Assistance, have been placed in abeyance at the request of the parties;
- One (1), related to the Environment Allowance for Gaspé, is being removed from abeyance and referred to the Executive Committee for a decision on both timeliness and precedent in September; and
- One (1), which is related to non-elective medical/dental treatment, is scheduled to be heard by the IPGH Committee in September 2019.
Next meeting: December 10, 2019