Stumped about sports? Puzzled about policy? Bemused by benefits or flummoxed about fitness testing? Go ahead, pose your question. We'll share your questions, and our answers, in subsequent editions of Apropos.

About Human Resources

Q: What's the waiting period for pension contributions for full-time employees?

A: If you're a full-time employee, you can enrol on the first day of the month that follows your probationary period, or after you complete three months of full-time employment, whichever occurs first.

Q: As a part-time employee, when can I join the pension plan?

A: As a part-time employee, you can join the NPF (Non-Public Fund) pension plan once you reach 35% of the Yearly Maximum Pensionable Earnings (YMPE) for two consecutive calendar years. You can join the NPF pension plan in 2001 if your 1999 earnings exceeded $13,090.00 and if your earnings for 2000 exceeded $13,160.00.

Q: I am a Category 1 non-unionized employee. Does the collective agreement or human resources policy apply to me?

A: The collective agreement only applies to employees who are represented by the union. Therefore, the terms of the human resources policy applies to you, not those of the collective agreement.

About Internal Audit and Review

Q: Under what authority do the CFPSA internal auditors operate?

A: The auditors have a charter, approved by the Non-Public Property (NPP) Board of Directors, which permits them access to all CFPSA personnel, facilities, functional operations, activities, data systems and records in order to do their jobs.

Q: Who, or what determines which activities get audited?

A: There are two ways that an organization or activity becomes subject to an audit or review: through a manager's request for audit services; or as part of the annual plan established by the Vice President of Internal Audit and Review, as a result of conducting a risk assessment on PSP, NPF and CFPSA activities.

About Finance

Q: What does NPF mean?

A: NPF refers to non-public funds. These are operating funds that the Agency uses to develop and deliver many of its programs and services. These funds are generated from CANEX and SISIP profits as well as from investments. They are not taxpayer dollars. As the name implies, they are not from the public purse. The more money spent by the military and civilian community at CANEX, SISIP and other NPF activities such as messes and sports facilities, the more revenues are returned to Base Fund, which is NPF.