An Airing of Grievances
The Unofficial Guide to CAF Grievance Management
300+ Pages
✓ 35+ Year Military Officer✓ Former CFGA Analyst & Manager✓ 300+ Grievances Analyzed
Turn grievance confusion into confidence with this comprehensive 300-page guide by Jay Tarzwell,
who spent 5 years inside the Canadian Forces Grievance Authority analyzing hundreds of cases.
Find Federal Court cases and judicial reviews to strengthen your analysis
Research Judicial Reviews of FA Decisions
Both grievance analysts and CAF members benefit from understanding which types of grievances proceed to Federal Court. Explore case law to:
Find relevant precedents for your analysis or grievance
Understand how Federal Court interprets military decisions
Research procedural fairness in military contexts
See which grievance matters reach judicial review
Try this search to find FA judicial review cases:
("Canadian Forces" OR "Canadian Armed Forces") "final authority" /p ("judicial review" OR "JR application")
AI-Powered Legal Search Tool
Convert plain English queries into complex Boolean searches instantly. Another professional tool brought to you by The Chatbot Genius - streamlining legal research for military law practitioners.
"The most comprehensive guide to CAF grievance management available"
About the Author
Jay Tarzwell
Former CFGA Analyst & Team Manager
Jay Tarzwell spent five years as a grievance analyst and team manager with the Canadian Forces Grievance Authority before retiring from the Canadian Armed Forces. During his military career, he analyzed hundreds of grievances and supervised teams of analysts, developing the expertise that forms the foundation of this book.
Known for making complex ideas approachable, Jay's work bridges the gap between people, processes, and policy. He creates practical guides, teaches new analysts, and explores how human systems succeed—or fail—when the stakes are real.
Today, Jay specializes in building bespoke AI applications with robust data privacy for sensitive industries, combining military discipline with cutting-edge technology innovation. He develops legal research tools for military law practitioners, including an AI-powered CanLII search interface that converts plain English queries into complex Boolean searches.
How do I file a grievance in the Canadian Armed Forces?
CAF members can file a grievance using the 2024 Digital Grievance Submission Form within 90 days of becoming aware of the issue. Start by attempting informal resolution, then submit a Notice of Intent (recommended), and complete the digital form clearly stating the matter grieved and redress sought.
Do I need to send a Notice of Intent to grieve?
While not legally required, submitting a Notice of Intent (NOI) is strongly recommended. It gives your chain of command an opportunity to resolve the issue informally and demonstrates you've attempted resolution before formal grievance.
What is the Canadian Forces Grievance Authority (CFGA)?
The CFGA manages the entire CAF grievance process, maintains the National Grievance Registry, provides assistance to grievors and the chain of command, and prepares grievances for decision-makers at both Initial and Final Authority levels.
How long does the grievance process take?
Timeline varies significantly. Initial Authority decisions should be rendered within 4 months, but complex cases may take longer. Final Authority grievances, especially those reviewed by MGERC, can take 12-24 months or more.
What's the difference between a grievance and an administrative investigation?
Grievances address personal issues affecting individual CAF members (decisions, acts, or omissions). Administrative investigations examine potential wrongdoing, policy violations, or systemic issues. Some matters may involve both processes.
Where can I find examples of similar grievances?
The MGERC maintains a searchable database of thousands of grievance case summaries at their case summaries page. This is an invaluable resource for finding precedents, understanding how similar grievances were handled, and building stronger arguments based on established decisions.
How can I research judicial reviews of grievance decisions?
You can search Federal Court cases involving Final Authority decisions on CanLII. Try this Boolean search: ("Canadian Forces" OR "Canadian Armed Forces") "final authority" /p ("judicial review" OR "JR application"). View these results on CanLII or use our AI-powered search tool to create your own complex legal searches.
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