Frequently Asked Questions: Early Retirement Incentive (ERI)

Question 1: Where can I find information about the Early Retirement Incentive (ERI)?

Answer: Information about the ERI program is available on the Government of Canada ERI website. Employees are encouraged to consult this site for details on eligibility, timelines, application procedures, and available resources.

Question 2: How can I obtain information about my pension and access counselling related to the ERI?

Answer: Employees can schedule a pension counselling session with the Pension Centre under the ERI program. These sessions provide personalized information on pension benefits and retirement options.

Question 3: How is my ERI application assessed?

Answer: Each application is assessed individually using a review approach designed to support a consistent and rigorous evaluation against the following Treasury Board-approved criteria:

• The organization needs to reduce its workforce
• Services to Canadians will be maintained
• Current and future operational or business needs will continue to be met.

Question 4: What is Parks Canada’s internal process for reviewing and approving Early Retirement Incentive (ERI) applications?

Answer: ERI applications are reviewed through a structured, multi-step process involving senior management. Senior management assess applications and provide recommendations to the President and Chief Executive Officer, who makes the final decision and certifies the outcome.

Question 5: When will I receive a decision on my ERI application?

Answer: Decisions are made on a monthly basis where operationally feasible. The timing of a decision will depend on when the application is received and the complexity of the assessment. Some applications may be deferred to allow for a more comprehensive review of operational impacts.

Question 6: How will I be notified of the decision?

Answer: All applicants will be notified of the President and Chief Executive Officer (PCEO)’s decision by email from the ERI Coordinator. Employees who submitted their application through the Treasury Board Secretariat Application Portal (TAP) will also receive a notification through TAP.

Question 7: Can my Early Retirement Incentive (ERI) application be denied?

Answer: Yes. As indicated in the ERI website, meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee approval. Applications will be reviewed to confirm whether the following Treasury Board-approved criteria have been met:

• The organization needs to reduce its workforce

• Services to Canadians will be maintained
• Current and future operational or business needs will continue to be met.

Question 8: Once my Early Retirement Incentive (ERI) is approved by the PCEO, is the process complete?

Answer: No. Following approval, you must submit a written resignation to your manager, who must confirm your departure date (no later than January 20, 2027). You will then complete the required steps through the Treasury Board System Portal (TAP) or the paper process, after which the Pension Centre will validate your eligibility and issue your retirement package. For detailed, step-by-step instructions, consult the Government of Canada ERI website.

Question 9: Will my manager be informed if I apply for the Early Retirement Incentive (ERI)?

Answer: Employees are encouraged to inform their manager of their intent to apply and discuss potential retirement timelines in advance. ERI applications are submitted directly to the ERI Coordinator —either through the Treasury Board Secretariat Application Portal (TAP) or via a completed paper form —and not through the manager.  For review and workforce planning purposes, senior management may share application information with responsible executives, who may engage managers as part of the assessment process.

Question 10: As a manager, what are my responsibilities in raising awareness of the Early Retirement Incentive (ERI) program?

Answer: The ERI is a voluntary program, and participation is at the discretion of eligible employees. Managers are responsible for ensuring that employees are informed of the program’s launch and timelines, and know where to access information and resources, including the Government of Canada ERI website, the Pension Centre, and the Parks Canada ERI Coordinator contact information for those submitting their application via a paper form. While facilitating awareness and access to information, managers must not provide pension or eligibility advice or influence an employee’s decision to apply.  Managers should direct employees to the Pension Centre for guidance on their individual situation.

Question 11: If an employee’s resignation or retirement notice has already been accepted by the delegated authority, can the employee rescind that decision in order to apply to the Early Retirement Incentive (ERI)?

Answer: No. Once a resignation or retirement has been formally accepted by the delegated authority, the decision is considered final and binding.

Question 12: If an employee’s resignation or retirement notice has not yet been accepted by the delegated authority, can they rescind their notice and apply to the Early Retirement Incentive (ERI)?

Answer: Yes. If the resignation or retirement notice has not yet been accepted by the delegated authority, the employee may choose to rescind their notice, postpone their retirement date, or apply to the Early Retirement Incentive (ERI).

Question 13: Can an employee withdraw their application to the Early Retirement Incentive (ERI) program after it has been certified by the President and Chief Executive Officer?

Answer: An employee can withdraw their application to the Early Retirement Incentive (ERI) program at any time, before their delegated manager accepts their resignation request. Once their delegated manager accepts it, the employee can no longer withdrawn their application.

Question 14: Other than through the Treasury Board Secretariat Application Portal (TAP), how can employees submit their Early Retirement Incentive (ERI) application?

Answer: In addition to submitting their application through the Treasury Board Secretariat Application Portal (TAP), employees may submit a scanned paper copy of their completed ERI application by email to: hrsustainability_durabiliterh@pc.gc.ca.

Question 15: Once an employee receives their retirement package from the Pension Centre following the PCEO's certification of their Early Retirement Incentive (ERI) application, how do they submit their formal retirement notification?

Answer: Employees must submit their formal retirement notification through a JIRA retirement ticket.  Alternatively, a scanned paper copy of the Resignation or Retirement Notification Form may be submitted by email to their local Human Resources person.

Question 16: What is the latest date an employee can submit their signed resignation letter under the Early Retirement Incentive (ERI)?

Answer: The deadline for submitting a signed resignation letter under the ERI is January 20, 2027 — the final day of the Program — with the last day of work being January 19, 2027. That said, employees are strongly encouraged to submit their resignation letter well in advance of the deadline. Doing so allows sufficient time for the Pension Centre to confirm pension eligibility, for the employee to complete any additional required paperwork, to avoid potential overpayment issues, and delays in their retirement pay.

Question 17: Can an employee who has applied for the ERI also indicate their interest in an alternation?

Answer: Yes. An employee who has submitted an ERI application may also express interest in an alternation. However, should the employee ultimately pursue the alternation, they must withdraw their ERI application beforehand. An ERI application can be withdrawn at any time up until the resignation letter is accepted, at which point the decision becomes irrevocable.