FAQ - Land Duty Allowance
Q1 What is new?
A1 The CF is replacing Field Operations Allowance (FOA) with Land Duty (LDA) and Casual Land Duty Allowances (CLDA), introducing a new Environmental Allowance point system, and improving Casual Sea Duty and Casual Aircrew Allowances.
Q2 Why is the CF’s Field Operations Allowance (FOA) being eliminated, and how does the new Land Duty Allowance (LDA) constitute an improvement?
A2 In the past, CF personnel assigned to Naval and Air units, were compensated with monthly Environmental Allowances on a continuous basis for exposure to their respective environment. Land personnel received similar compensation, known as Field Operations Allowance (FOA), but only for those days when their units were on “field duty,” typically during a training exercise.
Under the new system, CF personnel assigned to Field units or to certain positions will also be compensated with a monthly Environmental Allowance. The new policy also synchronizes eligible accumulated service in core Environmental Allowances so that they become more broadly applicable.
Q3 Will I only receive LDA while in the field?
A3 No, LDA is a monthly allowance payable to members posted to a designated field unit and others who will be exposed to the field environment for a period of 90 days or more.
Q4 Is LDA taxable?
A4 LDA is taxable and subject to deductions for EI and CPP.
Q5 What about a member who is eligible for the CLDA?
A5 CLDA replaced the FOA effective 1 Apr 07 and the daily rate has been set at $24.23 vice FOA rate of $18.83, a difference of $5.40 per day. You will receive the increase for each day that you were in receipt of FOA. CLDA is also taxable.
Q6 What does Accumulated Eligible Service mean?
A6 Total of all the eligible periods of service that counts towards the determination of the monthly rate of an allowance.
Q7 What is the point system?
A7 The point system will be used to calculate the amount of accumulated eligible service and it replaces the months and days that were used previously. It will simplify the process and all environments will use the same approach to determine a member’s entitlement for an allowance. The previous system was cumbersome and prone to errors.
Q8 Which units will be eligible to receive the new allowances?
A8 A list of designated Regular Force units will be forthcoming. In general, these units will be linked to units that meet the definition of “Field Units”. The Minister on recommendation from Commands or ECS will designate positions eligible for LDA.
Q9 What are the benefits of using a points-based system, instead of one based on months and years, to calculate seniority?
A9 The new points system will make service in an Environmental Allowance transferable among all elements; when a person changes occupations or changes postings among Land, Air Force and Navy units, their accumulated eligible service which determines the level of the allowance to which they are entitled will be easier to calculate.
Q10 Since this initiative is effective April 1, 2007, are the new Land Duty allowance (LDA) payments retroactive? And are the points gained under the new duty allowances retroactive?
A10 Yes, both are retroactive.
Q11 When will I see my new Land Duty Allowance (LDA)?
A11 In the March 2009 time frame. Personnel will receive a lump sum at that point.
Q12 Why will it take so long?
A12 There are two reasons for the delay. First, the new points system for calculating seniority will take enrolment (a person’s first day of service) as a starting point. All field units in which the person has served since that time, including defunct units, will have to be designated permissible, or not, in the calculation of points. This will require significant research on individual files. Second, implementing the new program will challenge the CF’s automated systems for paying personnel, which are already overburdened by recent amendments to pension and income tax provisions.
The CF wants to take the time necessary to make sure that everyone receives the full increase to which they are entitled.
Q13 Will I lose access to my Field Operational Allowance while you make these changes?
A13 While the new system is being implemented, the general parameters of Field Operational Allowance (FOA) will be maintained – no one’s allowances will stop in the interim.
Q14 Aircrew Allowance does not cover the same types of duty as Sea and Land Duty Allowances (LDA). How will the three then complement each other?
A14 Air Force members in aircrew positions who are posted to a ship, or to a Land staff unit, will be able to receive simultaneous allowances. This is because Aircrew Allowance compensates for a different set of factors from Sea and Land Duty Allowances (LDA).
Q15 Will the new system of calculating operational allowances represent a loss of income for any CF personnel?
A15 Under the new system, no one will be paid less than they were receiving, and all should see a retroactive payment.
Q16 What is the definition of a "Field Unit"?
A16 “Field Unit” means a unit, whose primary role is combat manoeuvre and training for operations or combat support and combat service support to the combat manoeuvre units. CF personnel in these units can expect, as part of their normal duties, to be exposed to austere environmental and work conditions for extensive periods of time on a regular basis. These units will be equipped with field equipment, vehicles and stores for this role.
