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Mover’s Edge, February, 2013

Canadian Government’s Moving Contract

The Interdepartmental Committee (IDC) met with members of the Canadian moving industry in Ottawa on Tuesday, January 29, 2013. In attendance were representatives from Atlas Van Lines, SIRVA Canada and United Van Lines, the IDC, Public Works and Government services Canada (PWGSC) and movers from across Canada. Ted LeLacheur and John Levi represented the Canadian Association of Movers.

The meeting was hosted by PWGSC who advised that:

  • Their objective is to learn from the moving industry.
  • They wish to reward positive performance.
  • They would like to reduce the administrative load to the Government of Canada.
  • The current costs are not sustainable.

In response, members of the moving industry indicated the RFP in the Letter of Interest was flawed and told members of the committee that:

  • All members of the moving industry are willing to work with government to produce a workable contract.
  • The IDC had received advice that did not relate to the reality of the situation.
    • The advice was based on a few corporate Canada moves that were not necessarily done in the peak season and did not relate in size or number to the 10,000+ moves in the government contract.
    • The pricing structure would not work as it mixed too many different kinds of moves. Their pricing model blended Arctic transfers and land-based transfers. It led to some anomalies in the cost structure and was not acceptable to the industry.
  • There are people in the industry who can provide them with advice based on years of experience in moving.
  • The operational side of the document that the government presented was not acceptable to the industry.
  • If the government is willing to be flexible on scheduling their moves, the industry could provide the moves at more economical prices.
  • At no point was the quality of life for soldiers or policemen ever mentioned by the government.

On Friday, February 1, 2013, CAM wrote to the host of the meeting reiterating the above and indicating that movers have made significant investments in people, buildings, equipment and vehicles to service this contract and the model used puts them at significant business risk.

We also advised that the moving industry has offered the services of several highly-experienced moving-industry professionals to assist in developing an RFP that would fairly represent the interests of both the Government of Canada and members of the moving industry.

Right now we are waiting for a reply from the government.

AMSA’s 2013 Education Conference & Expo

The American Moving & Storage Association will hold its 2013 Conference in Atlanta from March 3 to 6, 2013. It’s an excellent value both in terms of the information it provides and the networking opportunities it offers.

Don’t miss this important moving industry event. Visit www.promover.org/conference for more information.

CAM’s Annual Conference

We’ve secured the venue for our conference in Vancouver on October 4–6, 2013. It’s the River Rock Casino Hotel & Convention Centre, which is a short 20-minute ride away from the airport and from downtown by Light Rapid Transit. Book your hotel stay early to get the conference-attendee rate. They will be very happy to assist you in arranging things for you to do and places to visit for you and your family during your stay. Check them out at www.riverrock.com.

New Members

Over the last few months, we have had 13 new members join CAM – 11 movers (10 Canadian and one international) and two suppliers. Welcome all. Please review the list and take time to consider them as partners in your moving operations and as suppliers of your moving equipment and expendables.

Movers

  • AMJ Campbell Van Lines – Victoria, Victoria, BC
  • Bow Valley Moving Company, Canmore, AB
  • Déménagement Napoléon Giroux, Québec, QC
  • Premiere Van Lines – Dieppe, Dieppe, NB
  • Premiere Van Lines – Edmonton (2013), Edmonton, AB
  • Premiere Van Lines – Victoria, Victoria, BC
  • Premiere Van Lines Montreal Inc., Ville St. Laurent, QC
  • Riteway Moving & Services Ltd., Calgary, AB
  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® – Kitchener, Cambridge & Waterloo, Cambridge, ON
  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® – Ottawa, Ottawa, ON

International

  • GGL Relocations, Ruwi, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

Suppliers

  • Patafie’s Moving Supplies & Rentals Inc., Ottawa, ON
  • Spicers Canada Ltd., Vaughan, ON

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.