Choosing a moving company is one of the more consequential decisions in a long-distance move. Get it right and moving day is organized, professional, and largely stress-free. Get it wrong and you are dealing with missing belongings, unexpected charges, or a company that stops returning your calls once your furniture is on a truck somewhere between provinces.
The problem is that the Canadian moving industry has no single licensing body, no mandatory national certification, and no centralized consumer protection mechanism. That gap creates real risk for anyone who simply searches for a mover, picks someone from the top of the results, and assumes they are dealing with a legitimate company.
Some of the most effective moving scams in Canada operate behind professional-looking websites and manufactured online reviews.
This guide explains how accreditation and ratings actually work in the Canadian moving industry, what the signals of a trustworthy mover look like, and includes the full list of van lines currently registered with the Canadian Association of Movers (CAM) along with their publicly available BBB and Google ratings.
A disclosure worth making upfront: we acknowledge this article is published by Great Canadian Van Lines, one of the companies on this list. We have tried to present the information as a neutral reference rather than a promotional piece. The ratings are all accurate, drawn from public sources, and we think the guidance in this article is useful regardless of which company you ultimately choose. The best outcome for everyone is a move that goes well, regardless of the provider you choose.
Why Accreditation Matters in the Canadian Moving Industry
Unlike some industries, Canadian moving companies do not require a federal licence to operate for domestic moves. Any individual can theoretically start a moving company tomorrow with a rented truck and a business registration. This low barrier to entry is part of why the quality gap between reputable movers and problematic ones is so significant.
Accreditation through recognized industry bodies does not guarantee a perfect move, but it does establish a meaningful floor. Companies that go through the process of joining industry associations, maintaining BBB standing, and building a public review record have made a choice to be accountable in ways that unaffiliated companies have not.
The Canadian Association of Movers (CAM)
The Canadian Association of Movers is the primary trade association for the moving industry in Canada. CAM represents professional moving companies across the country and sets standards for ethical business conduct, consumer protection, and professional practice.
Membership is not automatic, companies must apply, meet eligibility requirements, and agree to abide by CAM’s code of conduct.
CAM members are required to provide clear written estimates, honour the terms of those estimates, carry appropriate insurance, and follow established practices for handling disputes. CAM also operates a consumer complaint resolution process that gives customers a formal avenue for addressing problems with member companies.
The van lines listed later in this article are the companies registered with CAM as full van line members. These are the largest, most established long-distance movers operating in Canada at a national scale.
BBB Accreditation and Ratings
The Better Business Bureau is a non-profit organization that evaluates businesses based on their responsiveness to consumer complaints, transparency of business practices, licensing verification, and adherence to BBB standards.
BBB accreditation means a company has applied for accreditation, met the BBB’s standards, and agreed to respond in good faith to consumer complaints filed through the BBB.
BBB letter grades (A+ through F) are assigned based on factors including the number and nature of complaints filed, how the business responded to those complaints, the length of time in business, and licensing and government action records.
Crucially, a high BBB grade does not mean a company has never had a complaint, it means the company has handled complaints appropriately. A company with zero complaints may have a lower grade than one with many complaints that were all resolved satisfactorily.
The star ratings shown on BBB profiles come from customer reviews submitted directly to BBB and are separate from the letter grade. Both figures are worth looking at: the letter grade reflects the BBB’s independent assessment, while the star rating reflects direct customer experience.
Google Reviews
A large volume of authentic Google reviews over a sustained period of time is one of the stronger indicators of consistent service quality, it is genuinely difficult to sustain a high rating across hundreds of reviews without actually delivering good service most of the time.
That said, Google reviews have limitations. Review manipulation is a real phenomenon, and it operates in both directions (ie: companies can generate fraudulent positive reviews, and competitors or disgruntled parties sometimes generate fraudulent negative ones).
Reading reviews by looking at what satisfied customers consistently mention, what recurring criticisms appear, and how the company responds to negative reviews, will always be more useful than looking at the star rating in isolation.
What to Look for Beyond the Ratings
Ratings are a useful starting point, but they’re not the complete picture. Here are the additional signals worth looking at when comparing moving companies for a move in Canada.
Written, Binding Estimates
Any reputable Canadian moving company will provide a written estimate before your move. For long-distance moves, this estimate should specify either a binding price (a guaranteed total that does not change based on final weight) or a non-binding estimate (based on an assessed shipment weight that will be confirmed by an actual weigh-in on moving day).
Understand which type you are getting before signing anything. Reputable movers are transparent about this; companies that resist providing written estimates or that are vague about how final pricing is determined are a warning sign.
Licensing and Insurance
For moves across provincial boundaries, Canadian moving companies are subject to the regulations of each province involved in the move. Ask any mover you are seriously considering whether they hold the appropriate licences for interprovincial transport and ask specifically about their cargo insurance coverage. What is covered, at what value, and what the claims process looks like if something is damaged.
Transparent Pricing and No Hidden Fees
One of the most common sources of moving disputes in Canada involves charges that came up after the move that weren’t in the original estimate. Ask any mover for a complete list of potential additional charges before signing an agreement and get the answer in writing. Reputable companies price transparently; be cautious around companies that are unclear about additional fees.
Handling of Complaints
Before committing to a mover, look at their negative reviews and check their BBB complaint history. Look specifically for patterns: are the same issues coming up repeatedly? How does the company respond?
A company that addresses complaints professionally and takes responsibility when things go wrong is a fundamentally different proposition than one that dismisses every negative review or has unresolved BBB complaints.
CAM-Registered Van Lines in Canada: Ratings and Contact Information
The following five companies are currently registered as van lines with the Canadian Association of Movers. These are the largest full-service long-distance moving companies operating nationally in Canada. The BBB and Google ratings below are drawn from public sources and reflect each company’s standing as recorded at the time this article was last updated.
| Van Line | BBB Rating | Google Rating | Headquarters |
| Great Canadian Van Lines | A+ | 4.9 | Surrey, BC |
| Atlas Van Lines (Canada) Ltd. | A+ | 4.2 | Oakville, ON |
| United Van Lines (Canada) Ltd. | A+ | 4.2 | Mississauga, ON |
| Mayflower Canada | A+ | 4.1 | Mississauga, ON |
| North American Van Lines Canada | A+ | 2.1 | Edmonton, AB |
Great Canadian Van Lines
Great Canadian Van Lines is a Canadian-owned and operated van line headquartered in Surrey, British Columbia, with operations across the country. Founded in 1994, GCVL specializes in long-distance residential, commercial, and interprovincial moves. The company holds an A+ BBB rating based on customer reviews and a 4.9 Google rating, both among the highest of any moving company in Canada with a meaningful review volume.
BBB Profile: bbb.org/ca/bc/surrey/profile/moving-companies/great-canadian-van-lines-ltd-0037-124938
Address: 17828 65A Ave, Surrey, BC V3S 1Z3
Atlas Van Lines (Canada) Ltd.
Atlas Van Lines Canada is headquartered in Oakville, Ontario and operates through an agent network that covers the country. Atlas is an independently owned Canadian company and one of the larger van lines in the country by volume. The company holds an A+ BBB rating and a 4.2 Google rating. Atlas has a long history in the Canadian moving industry and handles both residential and corporate relocation services.
BBB Profile: bbb.org/ca/on/oakville/profile/moving-and-storage-companies/atlas-van-lines-canada-ltd-0107-1241647
Address: 485 North Service Road East, Oakville, ON L6K 0C1
Mayflower Canada
Mayflower Canada is operated under the United Van Lines Canada umbrella and shares its Mississauga headquarters and operational infrastructure. The Mayflower brand has a long history in North American moving and operates through an agent network across Canada. The company holds an A+ BBB rating and a 4.1 Google rating. Mayflower and United Van Lines often operate as related entities in Canada.
BBB Profile: bbb.org/ca/on/london/profile/moving-companies/mayflower-first-ship-moving-0187-19201
Address: 7229 Pacific Circle, Mississauga, ON L5T 1S9
United Van Lines (Canada) Ltd.
United Van Lines Canada is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario and is one of the country’s established national van lines. The company offers residential and commercial long-distance moving services through an agent network and holds an A+ BBB rating along with a 4.2 Google rating. As with Mayflower, United Van Lines Canada operates as part of a larger moving services group.
BBB Profile: bbb.org/ca/on/mississauga/profile/moving-companies/united-van-lines-canada-ltd-0107-1030983
Address: 7229 Pacific Circle, Mississauga, ON L5T 1S9
North American Van Lines Canada
North American Van Lines Canada is part of the SIRVA group alongside Allied Van Lines and is headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta. The company holds an A+ BBB rating. Its Google rating of 2.1 is a notable outlier on this list and is worth factoring into any evaluation. As always, reading individual reviews rather than relying solely on the summary score will give a more complete picture. North American Van Lines operates across Canada for both residential and commercial moves.
BBB Profile: bbb.org/us/in/fort-wayne/profile/moving-companies/north-american-van-lines-inc-0352-90077877
Address: 10403 172 Street, Edmonton, AB T5S 1K9
Red Flags to Watch For When Hiring Any Moving Company
The companies listed above are all established, CAM-registered operations with verifiable histories. The Canadian moving industry has a meaningful number of operators who are neither licensed nor accountable in any meaningful way, and moving scams are a real problem.
Here are the warning signs most worth knowing:
- Significantly low estimates. If a quote comes in dramatically below what other companies are providing, treat that as a red flag rather than a lucky find. Moving has real costs (labour, fuel, equipment, insurance) and a company that is pricing well below market is either cutting corners or planning to add charges after your belongings are loaded.
- No physical address or verifiable location. Any legitimate moving company has an actual place of business that you can verify. A mover who operates exclusively from a website and a phone number, with no verifiable address, is a company you cannot hold accountable if something goes wrong.
- Verbal-only estimates and no written contract. A reputable moving company will always provide a written estimate and a contract that specifies services, pricing, liability terms, and timelines before your move. Any company that resists putting things in writing is a company to avoid.
- Demands for large cash deposits upfront. Standard practice in the Canadian moving industry is to pay at or after delivery, not entirely before the move begins. A company that demands a large cash deposit, particularly before any service has been rendered, is not operating within industry norms.
- No CAM membership or BBB presence. This alone is not disqualifying for every local or smaller mover, but for a long-distance or cross-country move involving significant volume, choosing a company with no verifiable industry affiliation and no public accountability record is a meaningful risk.
- Unable to answer basic questions clearly. Ask any mover you are considering: Are you a CAM member? What insurance do you carry and what does it cover? How is the final price calculated (binding or non-binding estimate)? How do you handle claims for damaged items? A legitimate company will answer all of these questions directly.
Questions to Ask Before You Book a Moving Company
Getting answers to key questions before committing to any mover will help you compare companies on a meaningful basis and avoid surprises on moving day. Here are our recommended questions to ask companies while planning a move:
- Are you a registered member of the Canadian Association of Movers?
- Are you licensed for interprovincial transport?
- What insurance coverage do you carry? What is covered, at what declared value, and what is the claims process?
- Is my estimate binding or non-binding? If non-binding, how is the final weight determined, and will I receive a weight ticket?
- What additional charges might apply beyond the base estimate? Please list all potential fees.
- What is your process for reporting and resolving damaged or missing items?
- Can I be present for both weigh-ins if my shipment is weight-based?
- Who will physically handle my move — your own employees or subcontractors?
- What is the estimated delivery window and what is your policy if delivery is delayed?
- Can you provide recent references from customers who made a similar long-distance move?
A company that handles all ten of these questions clearly and in writing is a company that takes its obligations seriously. A company that deflects, hedges, or becomes defensive is telling you something useful before you have committed to anything.
The Bottom Line: Do Your Research, Then Decide
There is no single metric that definitively identifies the best moving company in Canada, the right choice depends on your route, your timeline, the volume of your shipment, and what matters most to you in a service provider.
The six van lines listed here represent the CAM-registered national operators in Canada. All of them have substantial operating histories and public accountability records.
If you would like to get an estimate from Great Canadian Van Lines, you can request a free quote here. We are happy to answer any of the questions listed above and to walk you through how our estimation and moving process works before you make any commitment.
