ARCHIVED CD 2010-011

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August 4, 2010 (revised September 1, 2010)

SUBJECT: Isolated Posts and Government Housing Directive

1. PURPOSE

1.1 The purpose of this directive is to inform compensation advisors of changes to the National Joint Council's (NJC) Isolated Posts and Government Housing Directive (IPGHD).

1.2 This directive should be read in conjunction with the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) Information Notice entitled "Annual Update to the Isolated Posts and Government Housing Directive - Appendices A, B, C, I, K-1, K-2 and Living Cost Differential (LCD) Survey Results for Northwestern Ontario and James Bay Region".

2. POLICY

2.1. Environment Allowance (EA)

The TBS has approved a rate increase for the EA (entitlement code 297), effective August 1, 2010.

2.2. Living Cost Differential (LCD)

| TBS has approved a rate decrease for the LCD (entitlement code101), effective August 1, 2010.

TBS has also announced that, effective June1, 2010, the LCD levels of a number of locations have been revised.

2.3. Shelter Cost Differential (SCD)

TBS has adjusted the SCD (entitlement code 046) rates, effective August 1, 2010.

2.4. Meals and Rations (MR)

TBS has adjusted the MR (entitlement code 519) rates, effective August 1, 2010.

3. PROCEDURES/INSTRUCTIONS

3.1. EA, LCD, SCD and MR Rates

Compensation advisors are required to amend the ongoing rate and pay the entitlements for the EA (entitlement code 297), the LCD (entitlement code 101), the SCD (entitlement code 046) and the MR (entitlement code 519) by completing an "Entitlement Amend" (Entitlement Amend (ENA) - Pay action code (PAC) 18A) transaction, effective August 1, 2010. Please refer to the Personnel-Pay Input Manual (PPIM) sections 14-6-2 and 4-4-18-5-1 for instructions.

The EA, LCD and SCD rates can be found in Appendix B, Appendix C, Appendix K-1, Appendix K-2 and Appendix I of the IPGHD.

3.2. Classification of Isolated Posts

| The LCD levels of a number of locations have been revised.

| Within 60 days of receiving the information notice from the TBS, departments shall provide a written notice (email is considered an acceptable written notice) to each employee affected by any change (decrease or revocation) to an allowance, as stated in Section 2.12.2 of the IPGHD. The total amount of the reduction in the LCD resulting from a reduction in the classification shall be effective on the first day of the fourth calendar month after the month in which written notice was received. Compensation advisors must process any changes in rate for the LCD (entitlement code 101) using the "Entitlement Amend" (ENA - PAC 18A) transaction.

| For more detailed information, please consult the IPGHD Appendix A, for the levels as well as Appendix C for the rates.

3.3 The allowances of the IPGHD do not form part of salary and are not to be used in calculating the 4% vacation pay or the premium pay in lieu of statutory holidays for part-time employees.

3.4 All allowances under the IPGHD are subject to income tax deductions, to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP)/Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) contributions, and to the Employment Insurance (EI) and Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) deductions. However, they are not subject to the public service pension plan contributions.

3.5 Please note that, for part-time employees, the Regional Pay System (RPS) will automatically prorate the IPGHD allowances mentioned in this directive.

3.6 For partial months of eligibility, all allowances are to be calculated in the same manner as salaries, i.e. based on compensated days.

4. INQUIRIES

4.1 Any inquiries on the information contained in this document should be addressed to your Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) Compensation Services Office.

Original Signed by
B. Fortin

Brigitte Fortin
Associate Assistant Deputy Minister
Accounting, Banking and Compensation

Reference(s): ENT 046, 101, 102,
297, 519 and CJA 9010-2