Government of Canada

Vacation leave accrues monthly based on years of service, starting at 9.375 hours per month and increasing up to 18.75 hours per month after 28 years of service. Employees may carry over up to 262.5 hours of unused vacation annually; excess is paid out. Sick leave accrues at 9.375 hours per month, with additional 1.25 hours per month for shift workers after 112.5 hours used. Bereavement leave provides seven consecutive calendar days paid, including travel leave up to three days, with additional provisions for extended family and stillbirth. Pregnancy/maternity leave without pay is up to 18 weeks, extendable up to 52 weeks if newborn is hospitalized, with a pregnancy/maternity allowance paying 93% of weekly pay during Employment Insurance waiting and benefit periods. Parental leave without pay is up to 37 weeks (standard) or 63 weeks (extended), with corresponding parental allowances under Employment Insurance or Québec Parental Insurance Plan, including top-up payments. Leave without pay is available for care of immediate family (minimum 3 weeks, up to 5 years total), personal needs (up to 1 year), relocation of spouse, and domestic violence (up to 75 hours paid annually). Employees self-declaring as Indigenous are entitled to 15 hours paid and 22.5 hours unpaid leave annually for traditional practices. Career development includes education leave without pay up to one year with possible allowances, leave with pay for conferences and professional development (up to 20.625 hours annually for Physical Sciences employees), and reimbursement of registration fees for required professional memberships up to $1,500. Workforce adjustment provisions include retraining, relocation, salary protection, and transition support measures. Scientific integrity policies are to be developed in consultation with the Institute. The agreement also includes provisions for leave for union business, grievance procedures, and protections against discrimination and harassment.

Salaries vary by group and classification level, with detailed annual pay scales effective from October 1, 2021, through October 1, 2025, including scheduled economic increases and wage adjustments. For example, Actuarial Science (AC) employees at entry levels start around $74,586 in 2021, progressing to over $154,237 at higher steps by 2025. Raises occur annually on October 1, with specific percentage increases (e.g., 3.5% economic increase plus wage adjustments in 2022, 3.0% plus pay line adjustment in 2023). Overtime is paid at 1.5 times the hourly rate for the first 7.5 hours and double time thereafter on normal workdays; on days of rest, overtime is paid at 1.5 times for the first 7.5 hours and double time thereafter, with double time for second or subsequent days of rest. Work on designated holidays is compensated at 1.5 times hourly rate plus regular pay for 7.5 hours. Shift premiums of $2.25 per hour apply for work between 16:00 and 08:00, with an additional $1.75 per hour for Meteorology shift workers between 23:00 and 07:00. Weekend premiums of $2.25 per hour apply for work on Saturdays and Sundays. Special allowances include a $25 per hour diving allowance (minimum two hours per dive) for qualifying employees and a Correctional Service Specific Duty Allowance of $2,140 annually for eligible positions. Acting pay is granted after three consecutive working days performing higher-level duties, calculated as if appointed to the higher classification.

This collective agreement covers all employees in the Applied Science and Patent Examination Group represented by the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, including classifications in Actuarial Science, Agriculture, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Forestry, Meteorology, Physical Sciences, Scientific Regulation, and Patent Examination. The agreement aims to maintain harmonious relations between the Employer (Treasury Board), employees, and the Institute, setting terms for remuneration, hours of work, benefits, and working conditions. It expires on September 30, 2026. Key outcomes for employees include structured pay scales with scheduled increases, defined work hours with provisions for overtime and shift premiums, comprehensive leave entitlements including vacation, sick, parental, and special leaves, and protections related to workforce adjustments and scientific integrity.