Montreal to Vancouver moving cost guide

Montreal → Vancouver: rules that affect moving costs

Latest source review: September 28, 2026. Individual access dates appear below.

• Bulky items

  In Ville-Marie, the Plateau, Le Sud-Ouest and Verdun, mattresses, box springs and upholstered sofas or armchairs go out with household garbage. Refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners require an approved recovery option, such as an écocentre or an available retailer/GoRecycle program, because of their refrigerants.^[1][2][3]

• Bulky items

  Montreal's curbside bulky-item and construction-debris collection is for private individuals only; businesses must hire a private company, and residents who ignore the Info-collectes schedule or set-out rules can be fined.^[4][5]

• Vehicle

  Montréal’s trucking guidance states that half of Québec’s intercity truck trips pass through the island. Truckers must follow specific rules and a designated street network; consult the official trucking map for the planned route.^[6][7]

• Permit

  Vancouver’s temporary street-occupancy permit covers moving trucks and containers. Allow 7–10 business days after payment for processing and signs. Requests with only 5–7 business days require staff assessment and are not guaranteed.^[8]

• Parking

  Vancouver’s permit cannot displace a vehicle lawfully parked before signs were installed. Such a vehicle is not towed under the reservation, and the City does not refund the permit for that occupied space.^[8]

• Permit

  When an oversize-truck permit is required in Vancouver, apply for a single trip at least 5 business days before travel and carry the permit in the vehicle. A temporary special-zone permit or utility approvals may also be needed. This is separate from reserving curb space and does not apply to every moving van.^[9]

• Vehicle

  A private vehicle imported from another province generally needs a B.C. inspection at a designated facility and a signed inspection report before registration. Vehicle category and inspection exemptions matter; confirm the requirements with ICBC or CVSE before booking.^[10][11]

• Health coverage

  For an eligible new resident, the normal MSP waiting period is the remainder of the month residency is established plus two months. Apply promptly; the ministry determines the residency date, and visitor status, military exemptions or exceptional waivers can change the timing.^[12]

• Electricity

  Hydro-Québec lets customers report a move free of charge in its online Espace client as soon as they know the new address and date; doing it by phone costs $25 plus taxes (514 385-7252 in Montréal, 1 888 385-7252 elsewhere).^[13]

• Consumer protection

  When a Québec consumer hires a mover by phone or online, the law requires a written contract, which the mover must send within 15 days; before concluding, the mover must disclose the total cost, payment terms and the move's date and time.^[14]