Funding:
Relocation Expense Reimbursement
What is this funding?
The Relocation Expense Reimbursement is for employees represented by UNA who are moving their home to take a rural or remote position at least 100 km from their current worksite. Reimbursement covers eligible moving expenses. Applications are submitted by the hiring manager on behalf of the employee.
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​APPLICATIONS OPEN APRIL 1, 2026​​
Applications are open on a rolling basis through March 2028, or while funds remain available.​
This funding is not retroactive. It applies to new hires as of April 1, 2026.
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Funding categories available:​
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$5,000 for moves of 100 - 299 km within Alberta
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$7,500 for moves of 300+ km within Alberta
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$10,000 for out-of-province moves
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Funding is paid as a single lump sum. The employee must sign a 1- year Return-for-Service Agreement (RFS).
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Lump sum payments are considered taxable income and are subject to applicable federal and provincial taxes under Canadian tax law. Recipients are encouraged to consult a tax professional regarding the implications for their personal tax situation.
​If the employee has also received a Recruitment Incentive, both RFS Agreements will run concurrently. If not, the one-year RFS for relocation stands alone.
Employees are obligated to notify their manager and the RCIF committee of any potential leave or departure that may affect their Return for Service Agreement.
Leave of Absence (LOA)
Employees represented by UNA on a leave of absence remain eligible to apply for any RCIF funding stream.​
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Applications must be submitted in accordance with the eligibility criteria for the relevant funding stream
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Funding will be released when the employee returns to their former eligible position, or as approved by the RCIF committee
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For funding streams with a Return for Service Agreement, the RFS start date begins the day the employee returns to work
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All Return for Service Agreements must begin no later than March 1, 2028
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LOA absences of 30 or more calendar days will extend the RFS end date by the corresponding number of calendar days
Eligibility
​​Applicants must complete the eligibility screening before proceeding to the application, only those who meet the eligibility requirements will be directed to the full application.
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Applications must be submitted by a manager - employees cannot apply directly
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Contact information for both manager and employee
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Employee job title, employee number, employee union, and employment type
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Full-time, part-time, temporary, benefit-eligible casual (BECE) employees and Transitional Graduate Nurses (TGNs) are eligible. Casual employees are not eligible
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Disclose if the employee is on a Leave of Absence (Employees on an approved leave of absence may apply - the RFS begins upon return to the position)
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Provision of a functional cost centre (Managers should reach out to their local BAS representatives, and they would provide them with their functional centre. Employees should reach out to their managers)
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Confirm the worksite health zone
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Confirm that the project is at a rural or remote worksite in Alberta. Urban centres are not eligible at this time (see Rural/Remote/Urban Table)
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Applicant must select the appropriate funding category ($5,000, $7,500, or $10,000)
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Confirm the relocation distance (minimum 100 km from previous worksite)
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Confirm that this is a new employee to the worksite and that the employee is aware of the application and requirements
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The employee and manager must agree to sign a 1-year Return for Service Agreement
What do you need to apply?
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Current worksite information (location, address, department)
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Previous worksite information (location, address, department)
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Employees previous and new address
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Where the employee is being recruited from (another worksite, new graduate, another employer, another province, or another country)
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Agreement to comply with all RCIF reporting requirements and complete an online survey
How to apply?
​Applications are submitted through the Good Grants portal. To get started, click the link below. You will be asked to register with the email address you want to use for your application. A verification code will be sent to that email to complete your registration.