Setting Up Utilities After Moving to BC (BC Hydro, FortisBC, ICBC)

Moving to British Columbia means setting up an entirely different set of utilities than the rest of Canada. BC has its own provincial auto insurance (ICBC), its own public health enrollment (MSP), and crown-corporation energy providers that differ from every other province. This guide walks through every account you need to open — in the order you should do it — whether you're moving to Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, or anywhere in the province.

BC Hydro: Electricity

BC Hydro is the electricity provider for most of British Columbia (about 95% of the province). If you're moving within BC, you can transfer your existing account. If you're new to the province, you'll need to create one.

How to Set Up Your Account

1. Create a MyHydro profile at bchydro.com.

2. Submit a move-in request online with your new address and move-in date.

3. Setup fee: $13.50 + GST (appears on your first bill).

4. Security deposit: May be required if you have no credit history with BC Hydro or fail the Equifax credit check. The deposit is typically 2–3x your estimated average monthly bill and is returned after 2 years of good payment history.

Tip: Set up your account at least 5 business days before your move-in date to avoid any gaps in service. BC Hydro does not disconnect power between tenants in most cases, but you're responsible for charges from your move-in date.

FortisBC: Natural Gas

FortisBC supplies natural gas to most of BC. Not all homes use gas — many newer buildings in Vancouver and Victoria are all-electric — but if your home has gas heating, a gas stove, or a gas fireplace, you'll need a FortisBC account.

How to Set Up Your Account

1. Apply online at fortisbc.com or call the gas customer service centre.

2. Application fee: $15 + GST.

3. Security deposit: May be required; residential customers can consent to a credit check to waive it.

Note: FortisBC also provides electricity in parts of the Kootenays and South Okanagan. If you're moving to Kelowna's surrounding areas, check whether your electricity provider is BC Hydro or FortisBC.

ICBC: Auto Insurance (Mandatory)

British Columbia is one of the few provinces with mandatory government auto insurance. The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) handles vehicle registration, licensing, and basic insurance. This is the most time-sensitive utility to set up after your move.

What You Need to Do

• Register, license, and insure your vehicle within 30 days of arriving in BC. Commercial vehicles must be registered immediately.

• Get a mechanical safety inspection at a designated inspection facility. Most out-of-province vehicles require this before they can be registered.

• Visit an Autoplan broker (not ICBC directly) with your vehicle, inspection report, and current registration. The broker handles both registration and insurance in one visit.

• Your out-of-province driver's license is valid for 90 days. After that, you must convert to a BC driver's license at an ICBC licensing office.

Important: If you're moving from Alberta, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba, your private auto insurance ends when you leave the province. Don't let coverage lapse — contact your insurer before the move and set up ICBC coverage for your arrival date.

Source: ICBC — Moving to BC

MSP: Health Coverage (Medical Services Plan)

BC's Medical Services Plan (MSP) is the province's public health insurance. Enrollment is mandatory for all eligible BC residents. The good news: MSP has no monthly premiums (eliminated in January 2020).

How to Enroll

1. Apply online through the provincial MSP enrollment portal (takes about 15 minutes).

2. Wait period: The balance of your arrival month plus 2 additional months. If you arrive March 15, coverage starts June 1.

3. Get private health insurance during the wait period. You are not covered by MSP until your wait period ends. Travel insurance or a short-term private plan fills the gap.

4. Get a Photo BC Services Card by visiting an ICBC driver licensing office. This card serves as your health card in BC.

Internet: Telus and Rogers (Formerly Shaw)

The two main internet providers in Metro Vancouver and most of BC are Telus and Rogers (which acquired Shaw in 2023).

• Telus PureFibre: Fibre-optic internet with strong coverage across Metro Vancouver. Installation fee typically around $100 for fibre plans. Self-install may be available depending on your building.

• Rogers (formerly Shaw): Cable internet with broad coverage. Generally no upfront installation fee for most plans. Visit rogers.com or a Rogers store to sign up.

• Tip: If you're moving into a condo, check which providers have infrastructure in your building. Some buildings are wired for one provider only. Ask your strata or property manager before signing up.

Canada Post: Mail Forwarding

Set up Canada Post mail forwarding to redirect mail from your old address. This catches anything sent to your previous address during the transition — bills, government mail, packages, and subscriptions you forgot to update.

• Within province (4 months): ~$64.75

• Within province (12 months): ~$98.00

• You can purchase mail forwarding online, by phone, or at any post office.

Water and Sewer

Unlike electricity and gas, water and sewer in BC are managed by your municipality — not a provincial utility. In most cases, you don't need to set up a separate account:

• Renters: Water is typically included in rent or paid by the landlord.

• Homeowners: Water/sewer charges are included in your property tax or billed separately by the city. In Vancouver, contact the city at 311 to set up or transfer your property tax account.

Other Address Updates After Your Move

Don't forget to update your address with these organizations:

• Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) — Update online through My Account or by calling 1-800-959-8281. Critical for tax returns and benefits.

• BC Voter Registration — Elections BC updates your registration when you update your driver's license, but you can also do it online.

• Banks and financial institutions — Update your mailing address for all accounts, credit cards, and investments.

• Employer and payroll — Your T4 and tax withholdings may change between provinces.

• Subscriptions and online shopping — Amazon, streaming services, meal kits, pharmacy deliveries.

The Complete BC Utility Setup Timeline

Here's the recommended order to set everything up, starting from your move-in date:

1. Before moving day: BC Hydro (5+ days ahead), FortisBC (if applicable), Canada Post mail forwarding, cancel/transfer old province utilities.

2. First week: Internet setup (Telus or Rogers), MSP enrollment online, apply for BC Services Card.

3. Within 30 days: ICBC vehicle registration and insurance, BC driver's license conversion (within 90 days), update CRA address.

4. Within 90 days: Convert driver's license to BC, private health insurance coverage until MSP kicks in.

Need Help With the Move Itself?

Setting up utilities is the easy part — let us handle the heavy lifting. Two Small Men With Big Hearts moves families and businesses across BC every day, from Vancouver to Kelowna to Victoria. Know your BC tenant rights before giving notice, then get a free moving quote and we'll take care of the rest.