GEM and with that CRCM-GEM is using both, horizontal and vertical staggering. 

In the horizontal, the Arakawa-C grid is used. In the vertical, the Charney-Phillips grid - see graphic below.

For more information have a look at the following publication:

    Girard, C., A. Plante et al., 2014: Staggered Vertical Discretization of the Canadian Environmental Multiscale (GEM) Model Using a Coordinate of the Log-Hydrostatic-Pressure Type. Monthly Weather Review, DOI: 10.1175/MWR-D-13-00255.1