Mover’s Edge, April, 2013

The Canadian Mover – CAM’s Magazine and Directory – Last Chance!

CAM’s magazine and directory – The Canadian Mover – will go to press on April 6. Please review your listing in the previous issue (fall 2012) or online. Please let us know of any changes that need to be made – edits, additions, and/or deletions.

Canadian Government’s Moving Contract

Between March 7–13, van lines, auto carriers and CAM met with the Government of Canada regarding its Letter of Interest/Request for Proposal (LOI/RFP) for Household Goods Moving Services. CAM addressed some of the Canadian moving industry’s concerns with the proposed contract. On March 7, Ted LeLacheur and John Levi represented CAM at the meeting. We addressed the following issues:

industry’s concerns with the proposed RFP,
the ability of the industry to service the contract in the timeframe allowed,
some of the service requests within the contract,
some realities related to the moving industry, and
the impact of the contract conditions on members of Canada’s military, RCMP and employees of the government.

Further, CAM sent a letter to the Ombudsman for the Canadian Armed Forces (pdf) expressing its concern about the effects of the proposed contract on DND employees and their families.

Canadian Federation of Independent Business

The agreement has now been finalized between the Canadian Federation of Independent Business and the Canadian Association of Movers. The agreement gives you access to all of CFIB’s tools, discounts and benefits – each of which can significantly improve your bottom line and help in keeping you up to date in all the things that a business owner must know. The membership fee has been reduced to such a level that your savings can be enough and more to pay for your CAM membership. This offer is open to all CAM members in Canada – domestic movers, international movers, and suppliers.

A letter has been sent to all CAM members advising them of how to join. For existing CFIB members, the new fee structure will apply when you renew your CFIB membership. Visit this page to join.

A letter has also been sent to non-members. You are also invited to join CFIB at the special CAM rate, but you must join CAM first. Contact us and we will process your membership ASAP.

CAM’s 2013 Annual Conference

CAM’s conference committee has completed the program for the annual conference earlier than ever before. The conference will be held in Vancouver on October 4–6, 2013, immediately prior to the International Association of Movers conference scheduled for October 7–10. There will be lots of time to network with colleagues, attend sessions and see the latest of our supplier members’ products and services. Mark your calendar! More >

CAM’s Online Referrals

CAM’s online referral system has been the target of some mischief lately in which multiple requests are sent without any contact information. The required fields and tracking information are being improved and will be online in a day or two.

Media Activity

CAM’s marketing committee is continuing the press release program that was instituted a couple of years ago. We have recently issued the following press releases:

January 14, 2013 – deducting moving expenses at tax time
February 20, 2013 – consumers should protect themselves to avoid scams by rogue movers
March 27, 2013 – a 10-point plan for a summer move.

The purpose of CAM’s press-release program is to provide consumers with information about the benefits and services of hiring a professional mover. Our press releases can be viewed on the Consumers web page on our website.

CAM is also starting to roll out ads across Canada on Kijiji about finding a reputable mover through CAM and cautioning consumers about rogue companies. So far, we’ve targeted Vancouver, Toronto and Halifax – with more to come.

GST/HST Changes for BC and PEI

Don’t forget that British Columbia and Prince Edward Island have changed their tax structure, effective April 1, 2013.

British Columbia’s HST will no longer be in effect, and will be replaced by GST of 5% and provincial tax of 7%.
Prince Edward Island’s new HST of 14% will combine PEI’s provincial sales tax of 9% with GST of 5%.

New Products

“The Packers Mate” is available at Your Moving Depot. Featured at the CAM Conference last fall, this convenient, portable packing table keeps all your tools close at hand at all times. A one-time investment will save you money simply in time and materials wasted. Contact Kelly for a video presentation of the Packers Mate! Call 1-888-415-8858 or email kelly@yourmovingdepot.ca.

New Member

Welcome to new supplier member Fleetmatics, Rolling Meadows, IL, USA, which offers GPS fleet tracking systems.

IF YOU HAVE NEWS THAT CANADA’S MOVING INDUSTRY SHOULD KNOW ABOUT, please let CAM know and we will include it in upcoming issues of this newsletter.