Moving to another province

Are you moving to a different province? Are you leaving Quebec to live in Ontario or somewhere on the other side of the country? Whether to go to school, to change your lifestyle or to live closer to your family or your work, moving to another province isn’t always easy, and it requires a lot of planning and organization. Moving from Quebec to Ontario or another province in Canada entails numerous changes, including a different culture, a new workplace, new friends and neighbors, etc.

Your lifestyle will probably change, so it’s best to prepare yourself as much as possible in order to make a successful transition.

Here’s some information to help facilitate your move to a province other than Quebec.

Administrative procedures to undertake before moving to another province

Moving to another province involves not only transferring your property but also carrying out a series of administrative procedures. To avoid forgetting anything, make a list of all the service providers, government services and public utilities you use in Quebec, as you’ll have to cancel some and inform others of your change of address. At the same time, you should make a list of accounts you’ll need to open in your new province of residence. Below are the main changes you’ll have to make:

Government agencies in Quebec

As you change provinces, you’ll have to notify numerous government agencies and ministries, including the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity; the SAAQ (Société de l’Assurance Automobile du Québec); the Quebec Health Insurance Board (RAMQ); Élections Québec; Revenu Québec; and the Quebec Pension Plan (Retraite Québec); among others. You can use the Quebec Change-of-Address Service (SQCA), which will enable you to change your address with several different government agencies and ministries at once.

You’ll also be obligated to get a new driver’s license and a new health insurance card from the province you move to.

Government of Canada

Plan to notify your change of address to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), Elections Canada, the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), the Old Age Security (OAS) pension and your employment insurance benefits, if necessary.

Residential utility providers

Electricity: close your account with Hydro-Québec and open an account in your new province, for example, in Ontario. You’ll have a choice of several different electricity providers, including Hydro-One, Erie Thames Powerlines, Alectra Utilities and Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited, among others.

Internet, cable and telephone: in certain regions of Canada, telecommunications service providers are restricted, so there’s a good possibility that you’ll have to change providers. You should inform yourself regarding the coverage and providers in the province you’re moving to.

Streaming services (Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple Music, Spotify, etc.): don’t forget to notify them of your change of address.

Auto and homeowners insurance: you’ll need to find out if your insurance company is authorized in your new province. If not, you’ll have to change companies.

Residential security system: these providers often only offer their services locally. If necessary, you’ll have to change providers.

Various organizations to notify

Don’t forget to notify Canada Post, your financial institutions, your pharmacy and other organizations of your change of address.

Additionally, you should anticipate the need to find new doctors, dentists and other healthcare professionals.
To simplify certain administrative procedures, you can take advantage of this practical application: Moving Waldo.

Organizing your move

A move is a joyous event, but it’s often stressful and exhausting, as well, especially when it entails moving from Quebec to Ontario or another Canadian province. Here are a few tips to help you organize and effectively prepare for your move so that it progresses smoothly and calmly.

Start your preparations as early as possible

To ensure that your move takes place under optimal conditions and at the best price, you should organize every aspect as far in advance as you can. That way, you can organize without rushing.

To make sure you’re able to move on the date you’ve chosen and to avoid any unpleasant surprises or unexpected expenses, schedule your appointment with a professional moving company as soon as possible. Keep in mind that professional movers are often fully booked for several weeks in advance during certain busy times of the year.

Move only the essentials

Sorting is the name of the game! Sort through your belongings, your papers, your property, your equipment, etc. Only move the things that are essential or important to you and those that you will be able to use, and only take as much furniture as will fit in your new place. The fewer boxes and other items there are to transport, the less expensive your move will be. If you intend to return to the province, consider using a storage service for any belongings that you won’t need or that would be too expensive to move. In certain cases, storage can prove to be economical and practical.

Pack methodically

If you’re packing your possessions yourself, make sure to do it in accordance with best practices by following our packing tips. Bear in mind that your personal effects will be traveling several hundred kilometers in a truck. Fill the boxes with a mixture of heavy and light objects to ensure that everything is firmly packed to prevent anything from breaking. To facilitate unpacking, label every box with the precise content, as well as the room it belongs in.

Consider keeping a suitcase of clothing, your medication and your basic necessities with you, since the boxes the movers transport may not arrive until several days after you’re already in your new home.

Choose a specialized professional moving company

When you’re moving to a new province, it isn’t feasible to rely solely on the help of your friends and family. It will be essential to call on the services of a professional mover that has experience with long-distance moves.

Experienced movers will know how to organize the moving truck in such a way as to ensure that your furniture, boxes and personal belongings are fully secured for the duration of the trip. They’ll use all of the appropriate materials and equipment (moving blankets, protective covers, harnesses, etc.) to protect your possessions properly.

Ask for a free estimate from three different moving companies. Then compare them to make sure that the services they’re billing you for correspond to your needs. It’s also important to verify that the movers have sufficient insurance to cover all of your belongings.

To move from Quebec to Ontario or another province quickly, efficiently and securely, call on the services of the specialized professionals at Martineau Movers. This company regularly performs long-distance moves and can therefore offer you competitive rates for trips such as a move from Montreal to Ottawa or even a move from Montreal to Toronto.