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Happy 20th anniversary to me!
June 27th marks 20 years since I first walked through the doors at Guardian Transfer in Dartmouth. I remember being a little shell shocked as Dave Taylor gave me the grand tour, explaining what each truck was for and then described pallets, lift vans (that didn’t look like vehicles at all) and vaults.
I’d left a successful career in event planning and crisis management to work for a moving company, and I kept wondering, as we were wandering around the yard and the warehouse, if I’d made a huge mistake.
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Dave, however, saw something in me. We’d worked together organizing several premier sporting events in Halifax - he handled logistics, I was on the protocol, ceremonies, and VIP hosting side. When he suggested I join him at Guardian, I was baffled, but he explained that every move is just another event, and my skills would transfer perfectly.
Well, it wasn’t perfect. There were bumps along the way. Learning to estimate moves was a steep learning curve. I eventually got it - with lots of practice, asking questions, and not being afraid to admit when I didn’t know something. I learned to listen closely to customers and coworkers and discovered that honesty with customers and curiosity with coworkers go a long way in this business.
Mistakes were part of the process. I forgot to check attics and crawl spaces and underestimated more than a few moves (including an RCMP move by 4,000 lbs!). But each error was a lesson. Reviewing inventories, talking with the team, and owning up to mistakes helped me improve.
Over time, I got pretty good at estimating, often coming within 5% of the final weight, and sometimes even closer. Those small victories–especially coming within 100-200 pounds on 10,000 lbs shipments–meant a lot. It also meant a trip to Tim Horton’s on the driver who appreciated having accuracy for his trip.
For me, estimating and sales was never about the commission. I know that a lot of salespeople are shaking their head’s reading that statement. The real reward was doing the job right and building lasting relationships with customers.
Even now, though I’m not out in the field, I still hear from previous clients who want me to connect them with trusted movers and take pride in the trust I’ve built. I’ve likely done twenty recommendations already this year.
So, if you’re hiring, look for people with hospitality or customer service backgrounds–those who are organized, logical, and genuinely care about people. They’re the ones who will thrive in this industry.
And here's to twenty more years for me! Wait … I’d be 82. Maybe not. But I’m going to stick around for as long as I’m wanted. It has been a privilege to work in an industry I love that still holds that passion that grew in me back in the early days.
I love movers! Have a great summer everyone! |
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Peninsula Canada—Support for Your Business |
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Peninsula is a global leader in HR and health & safety consulting, with over 40 years of experience supporting small and medium-sized businesses. They’ve helped business owners navigate some of their most complex workplace challenges, offering practical, reliable support that saves time, money, and effort - so business owners can stay focused on growth.
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With the trust of over 140,000 businesses worldwide, Peninsula has established a strong presence in Canada since 2017, supporting more than 6,500 businesses. The 4 pillars of Peninsula services include tailored HR and health & safety consultancy, 24/7 expert advice, extensive legal support, and access to award-winning HR and health & safety software - making them a trusted partner for SMBs across the country.
Check out our exciting line-up of June webinars here.
Contact:
T : 1-833-247-3651
E : pierson.grasby@peninsula-ca.com
A : 33 Yonge Street, Ste 610, Toronto, ON M5E 1G4 Canada
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CAM’s Newest Board Member Alison Nolan |
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Alison Nolan joins the CAM as its newest board member, bringing seven years of specialized experience in the insurance industry with a focus on the moving and storage sector. As an Account Manager at NFP Canada, Alison has developed a deep understanding of the unique risks and operational challenges faced by moving companies, providing tailored insurance solutions, and building trusted industry relationships. Although new to board service, she offers valuable insights into governance, compliance, and risk management through her advisory roles and is committed to contributing to CAM’s strategic initiatives and member support. |
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Alison holds the Chartered Insurance Professional designation from the Insurance Institute of Canada, demonstrating her dedication to professional development and industry best practices. She is eager to collaborate with fellow board members to advance the moving industry and enhance the value CAM provides to its members. Alison is looking forward to actively supporting CAM’s priorities and growing her leadership role within the association. And we’re so happy to have her involvement. |
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CAM President named to NCMA Executive
CAM President Nancy Irvine recently attended the National Council of Moving Association’s (NCMA) annual meeting held in Charleston, South Carolina. NCMA is an international organization that brings together national trade associations representing moving and storage companies from different countries. Nancy has been elected to the Executive of NCMA, the first Canadian to hold this position.
This is a must attend meeting for any moving association. Three-and-a-half days of moving talks–everything from ways to support members with more programs and opportunities, to dealing with not-for-profit woes, to new regulations or laws being worked on, to ideas for topics at our individual conferences, and everything in between. We’re a small, but mighty bunch of individual associations (the majority with one or two employees or even volunteer run) that find ways to collaborate and support each other for the good of the industry.
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Mike the Mover
Phillips Moving and its parent company Viktoria Inc. are pleased to announce the acquisition of Mike The Mover, based in Guelph, Ontario. Mike The Mover was established as a local moving company with one pick-up truck back in 1972, since growing to become a long-distance mover and a member of Mayflower (Canada) Ltd. Mike The Mover has been a CAM member since 2005. |
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Professional Movers Day – May 19th
May 19th was Professional Movers Day. This year’s campaign highlighted a truly international footprint with 90 organizations, including CAM, from 31 countries posting our appreciation for movers and moving.
As FEDEMAC (the European Movers Federation) said, “participation spanned every continent, with movers from Kenya, Indonesia, Brazil, Australia, South Africa, Canada, India, and Chile joining their European peers in celebrating our shared professional identity and values.”
Mark May 19, 2026 in your calendar now! Let’s get out and flood socials with positive messages about our wonderful industry!
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Webinar Recordings Now Available!
AI in Moving—Practical Use Cases
Explore how current off-the-shelf artificial intelligence tools can be a game changer for moving companies. This session introduced real-world AI applications–from analytics to content generation and automation. Ramiro Quiros of MovingTech.ai shared practical examples and actionable tips to help you implement AI solutions that improve decision-making and streamline operations. |
| Recording available here |
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Business Insurance for Movers
Discover key tips to ensure your insurance policy responds properly and items to be aware of from CAM’s newest insurance provider, Western Financial Group, during this one-hour session.
This presentation included an overview of the 2025 insurance marketplace, key coverages you may need, and why it pays to insure to value |
| Recording available here |
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Intermediate Estimating aka "Things that will blow up your quote"
In Beginners Estimating, you mastered the basics of estimating shipments by weight, cube, and time. But what about the trickier stuff that blows up your estimate? Think about packing fragile items, crating delicate paintings, or maneuvering a grand piano through tight spaces—these are the challenges that can derail even the best plans. Industry experts Peter McCullough and Nancy Irvine guide you through Intermediate Estimating, tackling the complexities of "not-so-easily-cubed" household goods. This webinar will help you refine your skills and confidently handle the trickiest moving scenarios. |
| Recording available here |
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Before it gets too busy, we suggest you check out CAM’s Member’s Only section of www.mover.net.
Some information on CAM’s website is only accessible by CAM members. The members-only resources include:
• information on accessing CAM logos
• generic operational forms
• frequently asked questions
• CAM’s training videos (the Helper Training module and the Packing & Unpacking Training Modules)
• an overseas training manual for administrative staff
• business development articles that cover a range of topics, such as operational info, ELDs, HR topics, work life, health & wellness, customer service advice, sales tips, marketing & promotion and online security, and
• CAM’s webinar video recordings.
To access this members-only information, you will need an active username and password. Only members that continue to meet CAM’s requirements and that have paid their membership fees will have active passcodes and are authorized to access this area and use CAM’s logos.
Don’t remember your username or password? No worries! Contact the CAM office and we’ll get you set up.
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Employee Miscommunication Will Cost You
Memberlounge.app and other resources
One of the biggest communication myths? Thinking communication has happened just because you sent something.
Miscommunication costs the U.S. economy $1.2 trillion a year. In Canada, it is on scale. Poor communication costs companies approximately $12,506 per employee per year based on an average loss of 7.47 hours per week.
Here’s what it looks like:
• You send an email → no one reads it → you resend → now you’re a broken record.
• You share a bold new idea in a meeting → everyone nods → no one acts.
• You send out an update → it’s just background noise.
People are busy. Messages don’t always land. To fix that, here is a simple trick you can use with your team called the Back Brief.
When you give a key update, don’t end the conversation there. Ask your team to quickly repeat back in 2 or 3 sentences:
• What they heard.
• What they’ll do.
The catch? Once people know you’ll ask for a Back Brief, they start paying more attention. And if their summary misses the point—you get a second chance to clarify.
It’s as simple as that.
Clearer communication = better decisions, less waste, and stronger engagement. Small habits, big payoff.
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2 Policy Essentials to Follow
Infinit-I Workforce Solutions
Here are a few policy basics that could save you from future lawsuits. Thanks to CAM Member Infinit-I Workforce Solutions for the information.
#1. Don’t have a policy if you’re not going to enforce it. That goes for everyone in the company, from driver to owner. It’s an easy place plaintiff attorneys can look for negligence. Nothing screams “I don’t care about the safety of our community” to a jury like a documented safety policy that wasn’t enforced.
#2. Make sure every employee has been given the current policies. If it’s not documented and you can’t find it, it didn’t happen. How many times have you heard “nobody told me” from a driver or other employee? It’s another issue we see pop up in lawsuits and it’s hard to fight unless you have documentation.
For an infinite number of resources on safety, human resources and trucking challenges, click here.
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August 10, 2025 - 2nd Annual BC Moving Industry Golf Tournament
The 2nd annual BC moving industry and friends golf tournament is set for August 10, 2025 at Country Meadows Golf Club in Richmond BC. The Texas scramble will begin at 10 am and will conclude with dinner, awards and a silent auction. Industry Rate: $150 | Friends Rate: $165 | Foursome Rate: $500.
Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
This is more than just a golf tournament—it’s a chance to network, have fun, and enjoy a fantastic day on the course!
Organizer, Mark Hirschi of Salmon’s Moving, tells us that spots are filling up fast—so secure yours today!
Click Here to register now!
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September 29, 2025 – CAM Golf - Registration Now Open!
Any day on a golf course is better than being in the office.
More info about golf, sponsorship, or to register, click here.
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November 16-18, 2025–CAM 2025 Conference & Trade Show |
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Get ready for an unforgettable experience at CAM2025! We’re bringing together a lineup of speakers and sessions all focused on protection—protecting your business, your reputation, your margins, and your drivers. Back by popular demand, our beloved "Chocolate Talks" roundtables return, offering a unique opportunity to connect with peers through lively, blind-draw discussions about the triumphs and challenges facing our industry. This is your chance to gain fresh insights, share your experiences, and walk away with actionable strategies to strengthen your business. |
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But it’s not all business—CAM2025 is packed with opportunities to unwind, connect, and have fun! From Sunday night tailgating and a fascinating tour of Kingston Pen, to the camaraderie of NFP Night, lively hotel bar gatherings, and Tuesday’s reception and dinner, you’ll find plenty of ways to relax and network. Meet movers and suppliers from across the country during 20 hours of trade show access, social events, and, of course, the "Chocolate Talks." With quirky games, football challenges, prizes, and live entertainment, you’re guaranteed to make new friends, build valuable connections, and create memories that will last long after the conference ends. Don’t miss out—register now and be part of something special!
Check out the CAM2025 website for more information |
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Social Media Connections
Have you liked us yet? |
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Snowbirds Auto Connection Ltd.
Snowbirds Auto Connection is a family-owned and operated vehicle transport company providing reliable, door-to-door, damage-free transportation across Canada and the U.S. SAC offers a variety of services including coast-to-coast transportation, cross-border relocation and vehicle storage.
Learn More |
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ADVERTISE HERE
Your ad could be here! Click above for more information about this exciting opportunity.
Learn More |
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Welcome to CAM
We’re pleased to announce that two new members have joined our CAM family.
Easy2Go Movers |
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Easy2Go Movers is a professional moving company based in Mississauga, Ontario. Established in October 2017, the company has quickly built a reputation for reliability, transparency, and customer satisfaction. With a fleet of well-equipped trucks, a team of experienced professionals, and a commitment to customer satisfaction, they ensure your belongings are safely packed, transported, and delivered with care.
“No matter the distance, we make your moving easy by handling all the details—giving families peace of mind throughout the entire process,” says Herbert Bonder, Sales & Service Manager.
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Easy2Go Movers provides a comprehensive range of moving services, including: residential moves (house, condo, apartment relocations); commercial and office moves (minimizing downtime for businesses); long-distance moving (across Canada and the USA); piano moving (specialized handling); packing services (efficient and secure packing solutions); in-home moving (moving heavy furniture within the same property); single-item delivery (transporting large or bulky items); plastic bin rentals (eco-friendly and durable moving bins); storage services (secure options); and junk removal (disposal of unwanted items).
Contact:
T: 647-202-8587
E: info@easy2gomovers.ca
A: 3397 American Drive, Unit 8, Mississauga, ON L4V 1T8 Canada
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Paul's Moving & Labour Services Ltd |
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At Paul’s Moving, we pride ourselves on delivering professional, reliable, and customer-focused moving solutions. With 19 years of experience, Paul and his sons have earned a reputation for honesty, efficiency, and care, providing seamless residential and commercial moving services across British Columbia and beyond. We understand that moving is about trust and integrity, so we prioritize clear communication, punctuality, and respect for our clients’ time and property. |
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Joining CAM is a natural extension of our commitment to the highest industry standards. We share CAM’s values of professionalism, accountability, and customer satisfaction, and look forward to contributing to a network of ethical movers across Canada. Acceptance into CAM not only recognizes our dedication but also offers opportunities for growth, education, and enhanced credibility. Contact Paul, Drew, and Dustin Beattie to learn more.
Contact:
Dustin Beattie, Owner/Office Manager
T: 604-792-5901
E: paul@paulsmoving.ca
A: 45831 Hocking Ave, Unit #203, Chilliwack, BC V2P 1B5 Canada
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Launched and liked (a lot) on May 19th, the 2nd annual internationally recognized “Professional Movers Day,” CAM released the first reel promoting CAM and its members. “I am CAM” is a love letter to our members – the heart and soul of the Canadian moving scene. We want to thank all the members who provided us with their snippet. |
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| Atlas Canada |
Meldrum The Mover |
Streamline Relocation |
| Bedwell Moving Systems |
MoverOne Group |
Sueland Moving |
| Canada Moving |
Nattiq |
Sweenie Moving |
| Funk’s Moving |
Quick Transfer |
Total Moving |
| Hinton The Mover |
Relocation Engineers |
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We’re getting ready to produce another reel! Send in your clip to Nancy and we’ll get it added. And suppliers … that means you too!
Thanks again to Mark Hirschi of Salmon’s Moving for putting it all together for us.
Click here for the clip |
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CAM Award Nominations Now Open! |
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For 25 years CAM has been recognizing excellence in the moving industry. Whether it’s a long-time high-profile employee, someone behind the scenes who has dedicated their work-life to the betterment of the industry, or a moving company that has gone beyond the call of duty to help their community, our Associ-ation wants to acknowledge people who should be recognized for their work to improve the moving in-dustry.
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There are several categories of awards. Our Awards Committee reviews all nominations and selects the deserving recipients each year. Please note that not every category is automatically awarded each year.
• Mover of the Year recognizing a prominent CAM mover member who demonstrates outstanding corporate citizenship and customer service excellence. The mover can either be an agent of a van line or an independent.
• Distinguished Service honouring a prominent member of the profession with a long, exceptional history of contributions to the moving industry and to CAM.
• Industry Leadership recognizes an individual who demonstrates leadership and serves as an inspiration to others.
• Influencer celebrating a promising young professional (under the age of 40) in the moving industry who embodies a commitment to business growth, professional excellence, and the future of the industry and community.
• Public Service honouring an individual, group or organization who has performed a significant act or acts of moving-related service in the public interest.
Deadline for 2025 nominations is August 31, 2025.
Awards are going to be handed out at our annual banquet on Tuesday, November 18th at the Holiday Inn Kingston Waterfront Hotel in Kingston, Ontario. Everyone welcome!
For more information and to access the nomination forms, click here.
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Important CAM Code of Ethics Reminder |
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…about lead referrals and 3rd party service-providers
You may have an occasion where you cannot handle a moving referral given to you by CAM and want to pass it along to another mover. When referring a lead from CAM, please try to use an accredited CAM member for all origin and destination services. You can check to see if they are a CAM member by entering their name in the Member Directory search box on CAM’s website. Or you can check for a local CAM member through our “find a mover” search function.
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If you are unable to use an accredited CAM member, as per the code of ethics you signed as a mover member, you must advise the customer that their household goods and personal effects are being moved by a company that is not a CAM-accredited member and therefore not subject to CAM’s operating standards and practices.
We’ve had a couple of situations come up, in recent times, where there has been confusion for the customer because there was damage during the move and they want CAM to resolve the situation, even though the move was subcontracted out to a non-CAM member. Please be upfront with your customers if you are not going to service the job yourself.
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CAM Extends Spring Training
Due to the popularity/sign-up rate for Canadian Professional Mover certification, we have decided to extend the Spring Training discount for the course until the end of June. This will be a perfect primer for your new sales staff as they go headlong into the heaviest quoting period of the year. The full course can be completed over a weekend.
And don’t forget the intro videos to packing and unpacking and being a helper. These are not only good for the front-line folks, but also for your inside and outside sales folks, or anyone new to the industry, to further understand what happens in a household during a move. And they’re free for members!
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Moving Network Mastermind Meets in Surrey
Mark Hirschi, Salmon’s Moving and Limor Friedman from Vancouver in the Box gathered passionate individuals from their moving world together on May 14th in Surrey.
As Mark says, “this isn’t just a network—it’s a collective force diving deep into the future of the moving industry. We’re exploring cutting-edge moving trends, innovative technologies, sharp business strategies, transformative mindsets, and streamlined SOPs—and that’s only the beginning! By uniting our expertise, we’re building something unstoppable, with plans to expand this dynamic network eventually across Canada.”
Here’s to countless more meetings, breakthrough ideas, and driving progress together! If you are interested in starting up your own Mastermind, contact CAM and we’ll get you connected!
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Legal Disclaimer
The Canadian Association of Movers and/or any of its staff or members cannot and will not accept any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information and details given in this newsletter which information has been obtained or given in good faith.
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www.mover.net | cam_national@mover.net | Media Kit |
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