As Paramedics, we often change services, positions (Part Time to Full Time) or relocation with change in level of care (Primary Care to Advanced to Critical).

A recent tax decision can help Paramedics in Ontario with moving expenses.

Now if only we could deduct our stethoscopes and personal safety vests....

From the Toronto Star - January 12, 2012

http://www.moneyville.ca/blog/post/1113928--he-fought-moving-expense-tax-ruling-and-won

you made a move in 2011 to significantly reduce your daily commute and kept all of your receipts, you can save yourself a chunk of money when you file your tax return.

As a result of a recent Tax Court of Canada decision, you can now deduct moving expenses if you moved to a new residence more than 40 kilometres closer to your workplace, even if you didn’t get a new job.

Glen Wunderlich was living in Toronto in mid-2004 when he accepted a position with the Burlington company Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd. Upon receiving a promotion from the same company in early 2007, he decided to move to Oakville.

In determining his income for 2008, Wunderlich claimed moving expenses of $33,160. The Canada Revenue Agency denied these expenses on the basis that he did not have “a new work location.”

Read more...

Sisters and Brothers,

Many members have approached me with issues relating to the employers new practice of refusing half shift vacation requests for family status accommodation.  If the situation affects you I would request that you notify your supervisor of a dispute under our collective agreement and file the following grievance:

Statement of Grievance:

I grieve that the company has violated the Ontario Human Rights Code by refusing to provide me with reasonable accommodations based on family status.  This refusal represents a change in practice without notice and interferes with my ability to care for my children and has caused great stress to me and my spouse.

Settlement Desired:

1. The company be ordered to allow me to book vacations in half shifts
2. The company be order to reimburse any PEL credit used for a day on which a half day vacation was requested on my advance booking sheet
3. In accordance with 45.2(1)1 of the Ontario Human Rights Code, the company be ordered to pay $25, 000 for injury to human dignity and feelings for the callous way they implemented this policy that caused me personal stress

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Feel free to contact me if you need assistance.  Grievance forms can be printed from http://www.opseu.org/griev/awards/grievanceform.htm?agree=0

In Solidarity,

Dave Wakely