If you’re a federal employee in Ottawa getting posted — or coming to Ottawa for a federal posting — BGRS (Brookfield Global Relocation Services) is the company coordinating your move. Most Ottawa federal employees have heard the name, but few know exactly what BGRS does, what’s covered, what isn’t, and how to pick a moving company that actually understands the process. This 2026 guide explains the Federal Integrated Relocation Program (IRP), what BGRS reimburses, and how to make your move painless.

What is BGRS?

BGRS (Brookfield Global Relocation Services) is the third-party administrator for the Government of Canada’s Integrated Relocation Program (IRP). BGRS doesn’t physically move your stuff — they coordinate the process, approve vendors, handle paperwork, and process reimbursements. You pick the actual moving company (or BGRS recommends one from their approved list).

BGRS currently serves:

• Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) postings — NDHQ Carling, CFB Petawawa, CFSU Ottawa, plus all other bases.
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) transfers.
• Department of National Defence (DND) civilian transfers.
• Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), Communications Security Establishment (CSE), and other security agencies.
• Treasury Board Secretariat approved federal employee relocations.

What BGRS Actually Covers

The Federal IRP is one of the most generous relocation programs in North America. Depending on your classification and the length/distance of your move, BGRS typically covers:

• Full-service household move. Pack, load, transport, unload, unpack. Paid directly to the mover.
• Temporary dual residence. If you’re transferring postings with overlap, dual residence costs may be covered.
• House-hunting trip. Flight/hotel/per-diem for a trip to the new city before the move.
• Real estate commissions. For selling your current home, commonly reimbursed up to a cap.
• Legal fees for buying/selling.
• Temporary accommodation at the new posting while house-hunting.
• Per-diem meals during move and travel.
• Storage between residences (often 30–90 days).
• Spouse job-search allowance (limited).
• School-transfer support for school-age children.

Note: Coverage varies by program tier (core, customized, personalized) and bureaucratic category. Always confirm with your BGRS counsellor before booking anything.

What BGRS Doesn’t Cover (Common Gaps)

• Mortgage buyout penalties sometimes partially covered, sometimes not.
• New-home furnishings not covered.
• Extended storage beyond program limits (you pay after 90 days).
• Luxury items or collections exceeding declared-value limits.
• Spouse’s full income replacement. Limited allowance only.
• Pet relocation limited coverage, international pet moves often not covered.
• Specialty moves like wine cellars, pool tables, hot tubs — may require separate claims.

How the BGRS Process Works

1. Posting notification. Your department confirms the posting, location, and report date.
2. BGRS file opens. You’re assigned a BGRS counsellor who walks you through eligibility.
3. House-hunting trip. Approved flight/hotel for 3–5 days at new posting city.
4. New residence secured. Lease signed or home purchased at new location.
5. Moving company quote. You get quotes from BGRS-approved movers. Confirm with your counsellor.
6. Move booking. Lock the date, dedicated truck (Ottawa → new posting city), COI for any condo, pack/move/unpack schedule.
7. Move day. Mover loads, transports, unloads. You arrive separately.
8. Expense submission. All invoices, per-diems, mileage submitted to BGRS via their portal.
9. Reimbursement. Direct deposit within weeks of approval.

Choosing a Mover for Your BGRS Relocation

Not every Ottawa mover is BGRS-ready. Here’s what to look for:

• BGRS-experience. Ask how many BGRS moves they’ve handled. Ottawa has thousands of federal employees; any serious mover has BGRS experience.
• Itemized invoices. BGRS reimbursement requires detailed invoices broken down by service.
• Bilingual capability. If your posting is in Québec (Gatineau, Québec City, Montreal), bilingual documentation is often required. Our Gatineau, Montreal, and Quebec City pages cover bilingual moves.
• Valuation coverage. BGRS typically requires full-replacement-value coverage, which licensed movers offer as an add-on.
• Dedicated truck. BGRS moves cannot use shared-load consolidation because of timeline uncertainty.
• Willingness to submit paperwork directly to BGRS. Some movers bill you, you get reimbursed. Some bill BGRS directly. Ask.
• Licensed and $2M+ insured. Bare minimum.

Common Ottawa BGRS Moving Scenarios

• Ottawa → CFB Petawawa. ~150 km west. Common for CAF postings.
• Ottawa → CFB Kingston. ~200 km south.
• Ottawa → CFB Trenton. ~200 km southwest.
• Ottawa → CFB Halifax / Stadacona. Long-haul to Atlantic Canada.
• Ottawa → CFB Esquimalt / Comox. Cross-Canada to BC.
• Ottawa → CFB Borden. ~500 km to central Ontario.
• Ottawa → CFB Edmonton / Cold Lake. Prairie postings.
• Ottawa → NDHQ Carling. Intra-Ottawa move, often BGRS-covered for civilian transfers.
• Ottawa → Gatineau federal complex. Cross-river, very common.
• International to Ottawa. Diplomatic postings, foreign service returning home.

BGRS Timeline: What to Expect

• 12 weeks before: Posting confirmed, BGRS file opened, counsellor assigned.
• 10 weeks before: House-hunting trip approved and booked.
• 8 weeks before: New residence secured (lease or purchase).
• 6 weeks before: Moving company quote, BGRS counsellor approves.
• 4 weeks before: Confirm move date, submit packing list and inventory.
• 2 weeks before: COI for any condo buildings, elevator booking, packing.
• Move day: Load, transport, unload.
• 2–6 weeks after: Expense submission, reimbursement.

International diplomatic relocations require 12–20 week lead time.

Tips for a Smooth BGRS Ottawa Move

• Keep every receipt. Even small expenses (taxi, per-diem meal) are reimbursable.
• Document everything. Photos of furniture before loading, inventory of valuables.
• Get the written quote in advance. BGRS won’t approve verbal estimates.
• Declare high-value items. Art, electronics, jewelry — BGRS coverage has limits.
• Use one mover. Don’t split between two companies — BGRS paperwork gets complicated.
• Book 6–8 weeks ahead. May 1 and September 1 peak dates require even more lead time.
• Work with your counsellor early. BGRS counsellors are helpful but overloaded during summer peak.

Men In Trucks & Ottawa BGRS Moves

We handle BGRS moves every week for CAF, DND, RCMP, and federal civilian employees. We know the paperwork, provide itemized BGRS-ready invoices, offer bilingual service for Quebec postings, and coordinate with BGRS counsellors directly. See our full Military & Government Movers page for detailed BGRS service information.

Book Your BGRS Ottawa Move

Call 613-800-0917 or get your BGRS-ready quote in 60 seconds. Itemized invoices, bilingual documentation, dedicated trucks, full-replacement coverage.

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