Travel Mode
Designated Commercial Transportation Equivalency
When a member requests and receives authority to use his/her private motor vehicle instead of using transportation by commercial carrier(s) or rental vehicle(s), reimbursement will be based on the following:
A. For transportation costs, use the lesser of:
- the distance allowance for the member's private motor vehicle plus transportation toll charges, if any; or
- the designated commercial carrier(s) cost for the trip.
B. For other expenses (meals, accommodation, travel time, or any other expenses) no reimbursement will be allowed beyond the transportation costs that would have occurred had the member taken the designated commercial transportation.
Combining Business and Personal Travel
Where personal and business travel are combined, reimbursement is to be based upon the lesser of actual transportation expenses or the most economical transportation expenses that would have been incurred had personal travel not taken place. Clear calculations must accompany the expense claim. Per diem allowances and other expenses will not be reimbursed beyond the costs that would have been incurred had personal travel not taken place.
Meal Reimbursement Rates
The meal allowance effective September 26, 2022 is: Breakfast - $20.00 Lunch - $25.00 Dinner - $35.00 [Total - $80.00]
Part day travel status guidelines:
- On the day of departure, if an employee's travel status begins: • after 7:00 a.m., breakfast cannot be claimed; • after 12 noon, breakfast and lunch cannot be claimed; and • after 6:00 p.m., no meals can be claimed.
- On the day of return if an employee's travel status terminates: • prior to 7:00 a.m., no meals can be claimed; • prior to 12 noon, breakfast can be claimed; • prior to 6:00 p.m., breakfast and lunch can be claimed; and • after 6:00 p.m., all meals can be claimed.
The meal allowance covers expenses arising from absences on travel status over the meal period(s). Meals provided without charge to a member on travel status shall not be claimed for reimbursement. Travel status begins and ends at the designated departure and return locations. The departure and return locations may be the employee's headquarters, personal residence, or other points of assembly as designated.
Vehicle Travel
For all types of vehicles, actual transportation toll charges may be claimed for travel on PEA business.
The vehicle operator is responsible for parking fines, traffic violation fines and impoundment and towing fees when driving a leased, rented or personal vehicle on PEA business.
Private Vehicle Allowance
Where a private vehicle is used, reimbursement effective March, 2020 is $0.59 per km. Mileage allowance is permanently indexed to CRA maximums. This allowance is intended to cover the gas and maintenance costs associated with operating a personal vehicle. The distance allowance does not apply when using a rental or leased vehicle.
Members and staff who elect to travel by road rather than by air to attend PEA business will be entitled to claim mileage for the actual distance, by the shortest primary route, from the departure site (home or office as the case may be) to the meeting site. Incidental mileage not required for travel to meetings is not eligible for reimbursement and should not be claimed. Tolls, parking and Ferry tickets and reservations may be claimed.
In no case, however, should combined travel expenses – including mileage, meals, accommodation and any other travel expenses – exceed those that would have been incurred had travel occurred by air. Travel expenses incurred from road travel requiring more time than air travel will be reimbursed, provided they do not exceed costs incurred had travel occurred by air. The amount of leave granted will be that necessary to travel by air. In significant extenuating circumstances additional leave may be granted with prior approval.
Parking
Where privately owned vehicles are used for PEA business, receipted parking charges only will be reimbursed.
Rental Vehicles
Use of rental vehicles will require demonstration that the rental car is cost effective when compared to alternative travel methods. Members and staff should seek advance approval of the Executive Director or designate if in doubt. Reimbursement will be for rental and operating charges (the vehicle distance allowance does not apply when using a rental or leased vehicle). Parking charges will be reimbursed where rental vehicles are used for PEA business.
Bus Charges
Claims for bus transportation while travelling on PEA business will be reimbursed.
Please note that airport shuttle buses offer a convenient and economical means of transportation as compared to taxis or rental vehicles.