DOMESTIC FAVE IS LUMP-SUM
Calgary — Lump-sum payments, commonly used in the United States, are becoming popular in Canada in domestic relocations, says Gail Reinhart, consultant with Runzheimer Canada in Calgary. Lump-sum payments, an alternative to traditional reimbursement reports, reduce administrative burdens while increasing employees’ flexibility in how they spend their money. Reinhart added, “More and more companies are moving away from housing-only reimbursements toward cost-of-living components.” The cost-of-living extremes between Canadian cities are a major deterrent for domestic relocations.
WEB SITE REGISTERS EXPATS
Ottawa — Travellers on short leaves, including short-term transferees, can now register at www.iTravelSafe.com. The Web site registers trip information, such as travelling dates, locations and emergency contacts.
SMART CARD EASES TRAVEL
Vancouver — A “smart card” called EPPS (expedited passenger processing system) may soon be a travelling employee’s dream come true. The card, being developed by Vancouver-based InterVISTASConsulting Inc., would allow business travellers to get through customs without a lineup, alert valet parking or a rental agency to have a car ready, or call the airport to have bags collected. It is based on CanPass, which has been in operation at the Vancouver International Airport since September, 1998. CanPass holders, who have been pre-screened, bypass normal customs and immigration procedures. A CanPass costs $50, but can get travellers in the arrival hall in less than 30 seconds.
Calgary — Lump-sum payments, commonly used in the United States, are becoming popular in Canada in domestic relocations, says Gail Reinhart, consultant with Runzheimer Canada in Calgary. Lump-sum payments, an alternative to traditional reimbursement reports, reduce administrative burdens while increasing employees’ flexibility in how they spend their money. Reinhart added, “More and more companies are moving away from housing-only reimbursements toward cost-of-living components.” The cost-of-living extremes between Canadian cities are a major deterrent for domestic relocations.
WEB SITE REGISTERS EXPATS
Ottawa — Travellers on short leaves, including short-term transferees, can now register at www.iTravelSafe.com. The Web site registers trip information, such as travelling dates, locations and emergency contacts.
SMART CARD EASES TRAVEL
Vancouver — A “smart card” called EPPS (expedited passenger processing system) may soon be a travelling employee’s dream come true. The card, being developed by Vancouver-based InterVISTASConsulting Inc., would allow business travellers to get through customs without a lineup, alert valet parking or a rental agency to have a car ready, or call the airport to have bags collected. It is based on CanPass, which has been in operation at the Vancouver International Airport since September, 1998. CanPass holders, who have been pre-screened, bypass normal customs and immigration procedures. A CanPass costs $50, but can get travellers in the arrival hall in less than 30 seconds.
