Government of Canada

Vacation leave accrual starts at 12.5 hours per month and increases with years of service up to 18.75 hours per month after 28 years. Employees receive a one-time 37.5 hours vacation credit after 2 years of service. Vacation leave can be carried over up to 262.5 hours; excess is paid out. Sick leave accrues at 9.375 hours per month. Bereavement leave includes up to 7 calendar days (or 5 working days in two periods) for immediate family, plus travel leave up to 3 days. Pregnancy/maternity leave without pay is up to 18 weeks, extendable up to 52 weeks if newborn hospitalized, with a pregnancy/maternity allowance up to 93% of weekly pay under SUB Plan, contingent on EI or QPIP benefits and return-to-work agreement. Parental leave without pay is up to 37 or 63 weeks (standard or extended), with parental allowance under SUB Plan up to 93% (standard) or 55.8% (extended) of weekly pay, also contingent on EI/QPIP benefits and return-to-work agreement. Leave with pay for family responsibilities totals 37.5 hours per fiscal year for medical appointments, care, school functions, and other family needs. Domestic violence leave with pay up to 75 hours per fiscal year is provided. Indigenous employees may receive 15 hours leave with pay and 22.5 hours leave without pay annually for traditional practices. Education leave without pay up to 1 year may be granted, with possible allowance up to 100% of salary. Severance pay is based on weekly pay and years of continuous employment, with 2 to 4 weeks pay for first layoff year depending on service, plus 1 week per additional year, max 30 weeks. Part-time employees receive proportional benefits and a 4.6% holiday premium instead of paid holidays.

Salary ranges vary by classification and step, with detailed annual rates effective from October 1, 2021, through October 1, 2025, including scheduled increases and wage adjustments. For example, Historical Research (HR-1) ranges from $37,658 to $70,667 annually depending on step and year. Pay increments generally occur every 12 months (6 months for some MA-1 employees), with minimum increases specified (e.g., $300 or next step). Overtime is paid at 1.5 times the hourly rate for work beyond scheduled hours on normal workdays and first day of rest, and double time for second or subsequent days of rest. Special overtime rules apply for field or sea research and Defence Scientific Service employees. Call-back pay guarantees a minimum of 3 hours at applicable overtime rates. Standby duty is compensated at half an hour's pay for every 4 hours on standby. Bonuses include a terminable allowance of $8,500 annually for eligible Communications Research Centre Canada employees at certain SE levels, and allowances such as $25 per hour for diving (minimum 2 hours per dive), $100 per month for flying in experimental aircraft, and $400 per 15-day period for field or sea research (excluding DS employees).

This collective agreement covers all employees in the Research (RE) Group represented by the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, including classifications Historical Research (212), Mathematics (216), Scientific Research (225), and Defence Scientific Service (229). The agreement aims to maintain harmonious relations between the Employer (Treasury Board), employees, and the Institute, setting terms for remuneration, working conditions, benefits, and rights. It promotes professional standards, employee well-being, and efficiency in public service. The agreement is effective until September 30, 2026, and includes provisions for hours of work, overtime, leave, career development, severance, pay, and labour relations.