A Canadian Moving Service Contract is a legally binding agreement between a moving company (the mover) and a client (the customer) for the transportation of household goods and personal belongings from one location to another. In Canada, the moving industry is subject to consumer protection legislation at the provincial level, meaning the regulatory framework varies by province.

In Ontario, the Consumer Protection Act, 2002 (S.O. 2002, c. 30, Sched. A), enforced by Consumer Protection Ontario (a division of the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement), requires that all moving services over CAD $50 be documented in a written contract that clearly outlines pricing, dates, and any additional charges. A critical consumer protection provision is the 10% estimate cap -- a moving company cannot charge more than 10% above the written estimate unless the customer authorizes additional charges in writing before the work is performed.

The contract must include the mover's legal name and insurance provider with policy number, the number of staff, estimated hours, vehicle size needed, and any licences or customs documents required for interprovincial or cross-border moves. Despite deregulation of the Canadian moving industry in the mid-1980s, which reduced barriers to entry, movers remain subject to provincial consumer protection rules, the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act (S.C. 1992, c. 34) for prohibited items, and GST/HST obligations under the Excise Tax Act for taxable supplies.

A Canadian Moving Service Contract is needed for any local, long-distance, or interprovincial residential move involving professional movers. Whether moving within a municipality, across the province, or between provinces, a written contract protects both the customer and the moving company by documenting the agreed services, pricing, and liability terms.

This contract is essential when hiring a moving company for a full-service residential move that includes packing, loading, transportation, unloading, and unpacking. It is equally important for partial-service moves where the customer handles packing but engages movers for loading, transport, and delivery.

The contract is critical when high-value items are being moved, such as pianos, antiques, fine art, wine collections, or electronics. These items require special handling, additional insurance coverage, and explicit documentation of declared values to ensure adequate compensation in the event of loss or damage.

When temporary storage is required between the pickup and delivery dates, the contract should document the storage facility location, duration, daily or monthly rate, insurance coverage during storage, and conditions for release of stored goods.

For interprovincial moves (e.g., Ontario to British Columbia), the contract should address the extended timeline, potential for multiple delivery windows, long-haul surcharges, and any differences in provincial consumer protection rights between the origin and destination provinces.

The contract is also necessary when moving during peak season (typically May through September in Canada), when demand is high and pricing, crew availability, and scheduling must be locked in well in advance.

A comprehensive Canadian Moving Service Contract must identify both parties and include the mover's insurance provider and policy number as required by provincial consumer protection legislation. The pickup and delivery addresses must be specified, including floor levels, elevator availability, and any access restrictions that could affect the move duration or pricing.

Pricing must be clearly stated in Canadian dollars under one of three models: flat rate (a fixed total price), hourly rate (per mover per hour), or weight-based rate (per pound or kilogram, common for long-distance moves). The written estimate is legally significant in provinces like Ontario, where the final cost cannot exceed the estimate by more than 10% without written client authorization.

The valuation and liability clause is one of the most important provisions. Basic coverage (typically CAD $0.60 per pound per article) is the minimum standard but provides minimal compensation -- a 50-pound item would yield only CAD $30 regardless of its actual value. Full replacement value protection covers the cost to repair or replace damaged items at current market value but typically requires an additional premium. Clients with high-value items should consider declaring the total shipment value and obtaining supplementary transit insurance.

Cancellation provisions must specify the notice period, any cancellation fees, and the mover's obligation to refund the deposit if the mover cancels without cause. Provincial consumer protection acts provide baseline cancellation rights that cannot be waived by contract.

The contract should list prohibited items under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act (S.C. 1992, c. 34), including flammable liquids, explosives, firearms, and hazardous chemicals. The claims procedure should specify the inspection requirements at delivery, the deadline for filing written claims (typically 30 days), and the mover's response timeline. Both parties must sign, and the governing law should reference the applicable Canadian province.