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Brihard said:OK, so this will be a bit of a long shot and I don't know if anyone has tried it yet, but the VAC Education and Training Benefit *may* allow you to access some portion of funding to offset living expenses. I'll try to break it down, and what issues will crop up:
You have six years completed full time service, so you're eligible for ETB. That means either up to $40k for a full time post secondary program, or up to $5000 for self improvement. Where CBSA training would fit in is tough to say, and would probably be a head scratcher decision for VAC to make if they would grant it at all. But it would be within the *intent* of the benefit.
Now, you would have to apply for the benefit and complete an education and training plan, showing acceptance to an 'educational institution' for a program of study. This is where Rigaud doesn't fit in particularly well... But it's not a definite 'no'.
The VAC internal policy for ETB states that the benefit is paid for a "period of study" in a "designated educational institution". "Designated educational institution" is defined by Employment and Social Development Canada. Rigaud is not on there. But there are two things in your favour:
First, the VAC policy for ETB states that:
So they are willing to consider institutions not on the list. While Rigaud is not on the list, the RCMP training academy in Regina is. For the purposes of what you're looking at, I cannot think of a closer analogous institution to Rigaud than the RCMP academy. Both are federal training centres for a job in federal law enforcement, both pay a training allowance, and in both cases you are not yet a hired paid employee.
So because RCMP Depot is on the list, that would strengthen an argument to consider Rigaud. If VAC is willing to say 'Yup, Rigaud counts for an education/training institution', then you have an argument to be made that subsidizing your cost of living expenses for your time at Rigaud satisfies the intent of the Education and Training Benefit to assist CAF members with a successful transition to civilian life. It's worth a shot at least- make them look at it, say no, then appeal it and try to get it looked at higher up the chain by someone with the power to say 'it's odd, but it fits- so yes'.
References:
ETB policy at VAC: http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/about-us/policy/document/2685
Veterans Well Being Regulations: http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2006-50/
Genius!! I will definitely give it a shot and post an update! Appreciate the search you did here! Thank you so much!