Ottawa - Canadians are on the move. Right now, thousands and thousands of Canadians are getting ready for prime moving season in Canada! In fact, more than 1.7 million Canadian households and businesses change their address every year. A move can be stressful, however it can be made easier with some advance planning and a visit to Canada Post's smartmovesTM website. On-the-move Canadians can change their address online at smartmoves.ca. Privacy and security is ensured, as smartmoves and its partners are compliant with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and every change of address request is authenticated by Equifax*. A smartmoves booklet, containing a Change of Address Notification form, is also available at post offices. Smartmoves is more than just a mail redirection service. The site and free booklet offer practical moving tips, special offers on useful products and services and expert advice on making a new residence the best home it can be. smartmoves.ca also offers an extremely functional checklist that users can customize for their specific move. Online users can also choose to notify organizations they receive mail from that they've moved, and send free e-cards to notify friends and family of their new address. This all-inclusive approach provides Canadians the best opportunity to securely access Canada Post's mail redirection service, ensuring all their mail follows them to their new address. Moving isn't anyone's idea of having fun, but there are ways ¿ like a visit to the smartmoves.ca website ¿ to make it less stressful and easier on the whole family. One tip experts can agree on is to take some time for yourself after a move... a vacation is the ideal way to recharge your batteries after getting settled. You could win the "Trip of your Dreams" from smartmoves and National Car and Truck rental. The grand prize winner will receive a trip for two to anywhere WestJet flies in North America, a mid-size car rental for seven days and six nights stay at a Quality Inn in the destination city. Three secondary prizes (of Hitachi 51" High Definition TVs and DVD home theatre systems) will also be awarded. Enter the contest (and get additional details and full rules and regulations) by visiting smartmoves.ca or mail the entry form in the smartmoves booklet. The contest runs from April 25, 2005 to March 31, 2006. Smartmoves was the trademark of Toronto-based Taylor Made Publishing Limited, which managed the smartmoves booklet and website from 1997. Canada Post recently purchased smartmoves and has redeveloped the website into the "one-stop-shop" for Canadians on the move. -30- For further information, media should contact: Cindy Daoust, Ottawa, Ontario (613) 734-4258 cindy.daoust@canadapost.ca
