Mover’s Edge, December 23, 2008

Holiday Greetings

CAM’s executive, board of directors and the staff of the national office wish members, their staff and families all the best for the holiday season. We wish you health, happiness and prosperity in the upcoming holiday season and throughout the New Year.

CAM’s office will be closed from noon on December 24 to 9:00 am on January 5, 2009. We will be available by voice mail and email.

Canada’s Do Not Call List

As movers, we are all telemarketers to some degree. Canada’s Do Not Call List (DNCL) is now in effect. It applies to all telephone and fax contacts with consumers. The rules forbid telemarketers from calling anyone on the list without the consumer’s permission. There are now almost 6,000,000 Canadians on the list and to date there have been 5,000 complaints. 

The rules require telemarketers to acquire copies of the DNCL. Further, the rules require specific content for calls and a high level of record-keeping. They also regulate the use of automatic dialing devices and automated calls to voice mail.

There are fines that can range up to $1,500 for an individual and $15,000 for a corporation. You are responsible for the calls that you, your staff and your agents make.

CAM will host two web seminars – one in English and one in French – on January 21 and 22, 2009 respectively. Representatives of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission will be on the call to provide the latest information on the DNCL and to answer your questions. Watch for details.

BMO’s TV Ad — Update 

As mentioned in the last newsletter, many members expressed their distress about the portrayal of a mover in BMO’s real-estate services ad that was aired on TV in early November. CAM’s letter to BMO and BMO’s response are now posted to the Movers’ page.

AMSA’s Annual Education Conference & Expo

AMSA’s annual conference is scheduled for February 8 to 11, 2009 in Dallas. Contact AMSA directly for conference and registration information.

AMSA is extending its member conference registration rate to CAM members (a savings of $325–$450). To receive the AMSA member registration rate, register as NON-MEMBERS online, and enter the code “STATE09N” on the payment page. Early bird registration has been extended to January 8, 2009!

Household Goods Forwarders Association of America (HHGFAA)

Please note that effective January 1, 2009, the Household Goods Forwarders Association of America will change its name to International Association of Movers (IAM). Their new web address is www.iamovers.org. 

CAM’s Postal Address

CAM’s postal address changed in January 2008. We are still receiving mail at the old address but our forwarding arrangements run out at the end of December 2008. Please ensure that all your operational and administrative records reflect our current postal address – #404, 2200 Sherobee Road, Mississauga ON Canada L5A 3Y3.