Interchange Canada

Interchange Canada is open to employees at all groups and levels of the core public administration and to employees of other sectors, both in Canada and internationally. Organizations of all sizes and sectors are eligible to participate, including, but not limited to:

Participants must meet the requirements of the assignment and of the host organization, including those related to experience, official languages and professional designations.

• The start or end date cannot be on a statutory holiday or on a weekend (unless the employee is actually required to work that day).
• Full-time or part-time assignments can last up to three consecutive years, whether the assignment takes place in one or more organizations. In exceptional circumstances, an extension of up to two additional years beyond the three-year assignment can be granted.
• All assignment details, such as duration and duties to be performed, are negotiated between participating organizations and the participant, and are included in the agreement.
• Interchange participants must comply with all relevant organizational codes of conduct, the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector, Part 7 of the Public Service Employment Act and the Directive on Conflict of Interest.

• Participants remain employees of their home organization and continue to receive their full salary and benefits from their home organization.
• The host organization typically reimburses the home organization for these costs. Different reimbursement agreements may be negotiated. Other job-related costs, such as training or travel, are the responsibility of the host organization.
• The host organization cannot provide additional compensation to participants other than overtime (if applicable).
• For pay-related information regarding overtime and leave, consult the Compensation and Benefits Glossary.

• The language abilities of the participants are assessed by the hiring manager.
• Bilingual functions:
  • If the participant is not able to carry out the duties in both official languages, the Deputy Minister's approval is required for assignments of more than one year.
  • The Public Service Commission's Second Language Evaluations are not required in order to assess the participants' ability in their second official language.

• Employees must have a valid security clearance that meets the security level required for the position being staffed.
• For new hires to ESDC, submit security clearance requests to the appropriate Regional Security Office (RSO) as early as possible to avoid delays in the processing of your staffing action.
• Refer to the Validation Of Security For Staffing Requests Chart to know the security confirmation process for your staffing action.

• The Policy on COVID-19 Vaccination for the Core Public Administration requires all employees to be fully vaccinated or have a supported accommodation measure due to a certified medical contraindication, religion or other prohibited ground of discrimination as defined in the Canadian Human Rights Act (CHRA).
• The vaccination requirement took effect on October 6, 2021, and it is a condition of employment.
• Refer to the Validation of Vaccination Requirement for Staffing Requests web page to know the validation process for your staffing action.

• If the interchange is in another city or region outside the employee's workplace, the employee could be deemed in "travel status" under the National Joint Council Travel Directive. Submit any travel-related questions through the Gateway For Travel Support.

• Reimbursement of relocation expenses may apply; managers must contact the National Relocation Office nc-relocation-reinst@servicecanada.gc.ca before initiating a discussion with the employee/candidate and/or submitting a request to the HRSC, whichever comes first, when:
  • the duration of the Interchange Canada assignment is more than one year (366 days or more)
    • and;
  • the work location of the position you want to staff differs from the one previously occupied by the employee.

*With the exception of the movement of an employee from a position in the National Capital Region (NCR) to another position in the NCR.

• Consult the ESDC Table of Human Resources Authorities to determine the level of approval required.
• Organizations may post an assignment opportunity on the Treasury Board Secretariat Interchange Canada website for prospective participants.
• Prospective participants may also post their resume on the Treasury Board Secretariat Interchange Canada website for managers to view.
• Organizations, managers and prospective participants may also make assignment opportunities known through their professional contacts (i.e., GCconnex's Jobs Marketplace).

• In exceptional circumstances, an extension of up to two additional years beyond the initial 3 years can be granted.
  • Follow the instructions in the Submitting a request section and attach the appropriate Interchange Canada Information Form as identified in the Required documents section.
• The assignment is subject to review and may be terminated at any time prior to the end specified in the agreement.
  • This must be agreed to in writing by all signatories or with at least 30 calendar days' notice to all parties from one of the signatories. Ensure that the new end date is shared with your HR Advisor so they may take the necessary actions to inform TBS of the change.
  • Consult the Compensation glossary entries on Secondment In – Early end and Secondment Out – Early end for details on how to advise the Compensation Directorate of the new end date.

• Information Form: Submit a draft of the appropriate form with supporting documents:
  • Interchange Canada Information Form 1 (DOCX, 179 KB)
• COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: Consult the Validation of Vaccination Requirement for Staffing Requests web page to know the confirmation process for your staffing action.

• Information Form: Submit a draft of the appropriate form with supporting documents:
  • Special Outgoing Assignments (private, public or not-for-profit sectors):
    • Interchange Canada Information Form 1 (DOCX, 179 KB)
  • Outgoing Assignments (separate agencies such as: CRA, CFIA, CIHR, NRCC, etc.):
    • Interchange Canada Information Form 2 (DOCX, 170 KB)