Writing an effective grievance is both an art and a science. After analyzing hundreds of grievances at the Canadian Forces Grievance Authority, I've seen what works and what doesn't. This guide will teach you the CRAF methodology—the same framework used by CFGA analysts—to structure your grievance for maximum impact.

The CRAF Methodology

CRAF stands for:

C - Contention (Your claim)
R - Regulation (The rules that support you)
A - Analysis (How the rules apply to your situation)
F - Finding (The conclusion you want reached)

This framework ensures your grievance is logical, well-supported, and easy for decision-makers to follow.

Before You Start Writing

1. Gather Your Documentation

Before writing a single word, collect all relevant documents:

The decision letter or email you're grieving
Relevant policies, DAODs, or regulations
Your personnel records (if applicable)
Witness statements or supporting emails
Timeline of events

2. Identify Your Specific Issues

Be crystal clear about what you're grieving. Vague complaints lead to vague decisions. Ask yourself:

What specific decision, act, or omission affected me?
When did it happen?
Who made the decision?
How did it harm me?

Writing Your Grievance: The CRAF Method in Action

Step 1: State Your Contention

Your contention is your main argument—what you believe went wrong. Be specific and factual.

Good Contention Example:

"I contend that my posting message dated 15 March 2024 violates CFAO 10-2 as I was not provided the minimum 6 months notice for a posting with dependents."

Poor Contention Example:

"The military treats people unfairly and my posting is wrong."

Step 2: Cite the Regulation

Reference the specific policies, regulations, or orders that support your position. Quote them directly when possible.

Regulation Example:

"According to CFAO 10-2, paragraph 3: 'Members with dependents shall receive a minimum of six months notice for postings requiring household goods movement unless operational requirements dictate otherwise.'"

Strengthen Your Argument with Case Law

Federal Court decisions can significantly strengthen your grievance. Both MGERC and the Final Authority regularly cite case law in their decisions.

Find relevant cases using:

MGERC Case Summaries - Grievance precedents
AI-Powered CanLII Search - Federal Court decisions

The CanLII search tool is a professional resource from The Chatbot Genius to help analysts and grievors quickly find relevant legal precedents.

Step 3: Provide Your Analysis

This is where you connect the dots. Explain how the regulation applies to your specific situation and why the decision was wrong.

Analysis Example:

"In my case, I received my posting message on 15 March 2024 with a report date of 1 July 2024, providing only 3.5 months notice. No operational requirements were cited in the posting message or subsequent correspondence. My spouse requires 6 months to arrange transfer of her medical practice license to the new province. This shortened timeline causes undue hardship to my family."

Step 4: State Your Finding/Request

Be clear about what you want. The decision-maker needs to know exactly what redress you're seeking.

Finding Example:

"I request that my report date be amended to 1 October 2024, providing the required 6 months notice from the date of my posting message."

Essential Writing Tips

DO:

Be concise and factual
Use chronological order
Number your paragraphs
Include dates and names
Remain professional
Focus on facts, not emotions
Proofread carefully

DON'T:

Make personal attacks
Use emotional language
Include irrelevant details
Make legal threats
Exaggerate or lie
Submit without reviewing
Forget supporting documents

Sample Grievance Structure

GRIEVANCE SUBMISSION

PART 1: IDENTIFICATION
Rank, Name, Service Number
Unit/Formation
Date of Submission

PART 2: MATTER GRIEVED
"I grieve the decision dated [DATE] by [POSITION/RANK] regarding [SPECIFIC ISSUE]."

PART 3: CONTENTIONS
1. [First contention with CRAF structure]
2. [Second contention with CRAF structure]
3. [Additional contentions as needed]

PART 4: REDRESS SOUGHT
"I respectfully request:
a) [Specific remedy 1]
b) [Specific remedy 2]
c) Any other redress deemed appropriate"

PART 5: ANNEXES
Annex A - [Document description]
Annex B - [Document description]
Annex C - [Document description]

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. The Kitchen Sink Approach

Don't throw in every complaint you've ever had. Focus on the specific issue at hand. Multiple unrelated complaints dilute your main argument.

2. Attacking the Person, Not the Decision

Criticize the decision, not the decision-maker. Personal attacks undermine your credibility and professionalism.

3. Forgetting the Human Element

While focusing on facts, don't forget to explain how the decision affected you personally. Decision-makers need to understand the human impact.

4. Vague Redress Requests

Asking for "justice" or "fairness" doesn't tell the decision-maker what to do. Be specific about the remedy you want.

Special Considerations

Medical Grievances

If grieving medical decisions, ensure you:

Include relevant medical documentation
Respect medical privacy (yours and others')
Focus on the administrative process, not medical opinions
Consider if you need an MEL review instead

Harassment Grievances

For harassment-related grievances:

Document all incidents with dates and witnesses
Reference DAOD 5012-0 (Harassment Prevention)
Explain attempts at resolution
Be prepared for potential investigation

Career Grievances

When grieving PERs, promotions, or postings:

Compare against policy requirements
Provide concrete examples of merit
Avoid comparing yourself to others by name
Focus on process errors or bias

Want More Detailed Examples?

"An Airing of Grievances" includes complete grievance templates, real-world examples (sanitized for privacy), and advanced strategies for complex grievances.

Get the Complete Guide - $34.97

Final Checklist Before Submission

Before You Submit, Ensure You Have:

☐ Clearly identified the matter grieved
☐ Used CRAF methodology for each contention
☐ Cited relevant policies and regulations
☐ Provided specific redress sought
☐ Attached all supporting documents
☐ Proofread for spelling and grammar
☐ Maintained professional tone throughout
☐ Signed and dated the grievance
☐ Kept a copy for your records
☐ Submitted within 90-day timeline

Remember: Quality Over Quantity

A well-written 3-page grievance is infinitely more effective than a rambling 20-page complaint. Focus on clarity, logic, and evidence. Use the CRAF methodology to structure your arguments, and always maintain professionalism.

The goal isn't to vent frustration—it's to convince a decision-maker that you've been wronged and deserve specific redress. Make their job easy by presenting a clear, logical, and well-supported case.

Need Help?

Remember, you're entitled to an assisting member to help you prepare your grievance. Don't hesitate to ask for help—it's your right, and a well-prepared grievance is more likely to succeed.

CAF Grievance Writing Guide