Information notice - Revocation of Environment Allowance (EA) for Atikameg, Grande Cache, High Prairie, Little Buffalo, Manning and McLennan, Alberta

Date:

To: Functional Heads of Administration, Human Resources and Financial Services

CC: Chairs and Executive Directors of Northern Federal Regional Councils, Departmental Designated Coordinators for the IPGHD, Committee members of the NJC IPGHD (for information)

The NJC IPGH committee has approved changes to Appendices A and G to be effective .

Every five years after the publication of the Census of Canada: Census of Population, and in accordance with the designation criteria contained within the Isolated Posts and Government Housing Directive, the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat is responsible for conducting a review of the Environment Allowance classification of all locations listed in the Directive. Statistics Canada performed this review following the release of the 2011 Census of Canada population numbers.

The results of the review of the communities indicate that the towns listed below no longer qualify for the Environment Allowance due to their proximity to Grande Prairie, Alberta. Previously Edmonton, Alberta was used to calculate the distance from a population of more than 50,000. With the growth in population of Grande Prairie, Alberta (55, 032 as per the 2011 Census), locations listed below are no longer more than 322 kilometers from a population of more than 50,000 individuals.  Please refer to Part II of the directive for the criteria for determining levels and designation for an environment allowance.

As a result, the following locations will be deleted from Appendix A and added to Appendix G as Special Locations.

  • Atikameg, AB (290 km to Grande Prairie)
  • Grande Cache, AB (189 km to Grand Prairie)
  • High Prairie, AB (201 km to Grande Prairie)
  • Little Buffalo, AB (295 km to Grande Prairie)
  • Manning, AB (256 km to Grande Prairie)
  • McLennan, AB (185 km to Grande Prairie)

In order to mitigate the impact of these results on employees in those communities, the phase out process outlined in Section 2.7 of the IPGHD is to be followed. Departments must provide written notice to each employee affected by the change (email is considered acceptable).

The process for revocation of the EA will be as per 2.7.3, at the rate of $100.00 per month starting on the first day of the fourth calendar month after the month in which written notice is received. As per 2.7.5 when an EA is revoked, the benefits referred to in Part III shall end on the first day of the fourth calendar month after the month in which written notice was received.

Revocation of the EA also means that these communities are no longer entitled to benefits under Part III, Sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.8 and 3.9, on the first day of the fourth calendar month after the month in which written notice is received. 

Please distribute this notice and include the amended appendices A and G to persons at your headquarters and regional offices who are involved in the administration of the allowances.
Public Service employees or regional staff should direct any questions on this subject to their Designated Departmental Coordinator for the IPGHD who, if need be, can contact the appropriate officers at the Treasury Board Secretariat.

Edith Kehoe
Senior Director
Union Engagement and National Joint Council support
Compensation and Labour Relations Sector
Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer

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