YOUR DIRECTORY LISTING IN CANADIAN MOVER

Later this month, CAM will go to press with The Canadian Mover, its magazine and member directory.

The member listings in the magazine show your company’s contact information and the services you offer. We know this is your busy season, but PLEASE TAKE A FEW MINUTES AND REVIEW YOUR LISTING IN OUR ONLINE DIRECTORY AND ENSURE IT SAYS EVERYTHING YOU WANT. The directory often is your portal to additional opportunities.

CAM is now publisher of the magazine. There are still openings for advertising. The magazine will reach a broad cross-section of the Canadian moving industry, our suppliers and our customers. Contact the CAM office for details. Advertising rates are significantly reduced for members. The deadline for ads is July 14.

CAM’S ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND GOLF TOURNAMENT

Mark September 19 and 20, 2005, on your calendar. If you are coming to Toronto for other moving-industry events, extend your stay and attend ours also. The theme once again is profitability, with many useful presentations on those practices that will improve your bottom line. Do you know someone who should be recognized for his or her service to the moving industry? Visit CAM’s website and nominate them before July 11.

ALLIED VAN LINES AND NORTH AMERICAN VAN LINES JOIN CAM

Michael Johnston, President of SIRVA Canada, has renewed the CAM memberships of Allied Van Lines and North American Van Lines. Industry veteran John Rausch is director of network management for the Allied agents. Michael noted that a similar position is currently being established for North American agents. CAM welcomes both van lines back as members.

HOUSEHOLD GOODS FORWARDERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, INC.

The HHGFAA joined CAM as an association member. CAM will join HHGFAA later this month. This will give CAM and HHGFAA a new communication channel to address issues of mutual concern.

SILVERMAN HELPS

Last Tuesday, John Levi appeared with Vickie Campbell of Campbell Moving Systems on CITY-TV’s Silverman Helps one-hour consumer phone-in show. Peter Silverman asked several questions as to what a consumer could do to avoid a disastrous move. The response generally was that consumers should make every effort to find a reputable mover and one of the best ways to do that was through CAM. We have had a blizzard of phone calls requesting referrals to reputable movers. The show has repeated several times already. While you have as much business as you can handle now, this type of initiative will help to provide you with moves after the summer is over.

ONTARIO’S CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT — EFFECTIVE JULY 30

Ontario’s Consumer Protection Act will come into force on July 30, 2005. The Ontario government held a webcast on April 14 to present the legislation and regulations to the business community. The webcast and a written transcript can be seen on the government’s Consumer and Business Services website, at www.cbs.gov.on.ca. Click on the link marked “Webcast: Consumer Protection for the 21st Century.” The regulations and legislation can also be seen at www.e-laws.gov.on.ca or in the members-only area of CAM’s website. The Act can be seen at www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/Statutes/English/02c30_e.htm.

The regulations that relate directly to moving are covered in Ontario’s Consumer Protection Act 2002 in Consumer Rights and Warranties (Part II – especially Section 10 – Estimates), Unfair Practices (Part III), and Rights and Obligations Respecting Specific Consumer Rights (Part IV).

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION RATES

In several previous issues of Movers’ Edge, CAM advised members that the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board in Ontario would allow movers that were previously classified under RG 570 (trucking) to classify storage under RG 560 and moving under RG 570. Changes would be retroactive to January 1, 2004. We just received an email from one member who reclassified his work force under these classifications; he received a rebate cheque for $6,000 and reduced his monthly payments by $600, for an annual saving of $7,200.

GUY-BERNARD BAILLARGEON

Guy-Bernard Baillargeon, a member of one of Montreal’s leading moving families, passed away on June 30. Mr. Baillargeon was president of the Baron Group of Companies, with its flagship operation A&F Baillargeon Express Inc., based in Montreal. He was a prominent moving-industry leader from the 50s to the 90s and was chairman of United Van lines for several years.