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February 26, 2002
Membership Fees Policy
Over the past several months, we have been receiving enquiries from departments with respect to the Membership Fees Policy. In particular, questions have arisen as to the level of approval necessary if the reimbursement of membership fees is required by collective agreement.
The purpose of this message is to provide clarification with respect to the interpretation of the policy and the method of requesting the payments.
Where a collective agreement requires the reimbursement of membership fees because it has been determined that membership in an organization or governing body is a requirement for the continuation of the performance of the duties of the position, the Deputy Head's personal approval of the reimbursement is no longer required. Accordingly, Deputy Heads may delegate the authority to approve payment to the most appropriate level in the organization.
When the reimbursement of membership fees to specified organizations is an absolute requirement under the terms of the collective agreement, as is the case in the Financial Management (FI) agreement, the Deputy Head's personal approval is not required. Deputy Heads may delegate the authority to approve payment to the most appropriate level in the organization.
On August 2, 2001, departments were advised that the Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) pay system would be modified to enable departments to issue the payment of Membership Fees for the FI group via the PWGSC pay system.
PWGSC has advised that this entitlement code will be available to departments as of April 1, 2002.
Departments are advised to continue processing requests for payment of FI Professional Allowance via their departmental Finance Section until the PWGSC pay system is ready.
If you require further information on the Membership Fees Policy, please contact John Gil, Safety, Health and Employee Services Group, Human Resources Management Division at 957-2449 or at gil.john@tbs-sct.gc.ca. Questions on the method of requesting the payment may be directed to Brian Jackson, Pay Administration Group, Labour Relations Division at 952-3180 or at jackson.brian@tbs-sct.gc.ca.
