There's been a few people making mention of leaving Switzerland, and I think it would be good to gather ideas and suggestions and a list of must-dos when you leave the country.

Tell me your tips, what you think someone leaving the country for good should know, must do, etc.

We just had our first successful test of the vacuum bags. 36 quid for 15 of them. Managed to get half a box of soft toys down to a third of their volume. If you're moving long haul and paying for volume moved, then this can save you a lot of money on soft toys, clothes duvets, etc. Basically anything that can be compressed.

I had seen them in Ikea but they don't do them anymore.
Talking of vacuums... don't forget bags for your hoover if it's MioStar...

This is vague but you need the commune stamps to "escape" from your phone/electricity contracts without extra charges.

Not if you give them due notice, as far as I know.

I think what you may mean is the Confirmation of De-registration (Abmeldebestätigung) from the local community office (Gemeinderat or Amt), I have heard that you can't get that until 3 weeks prior to departure but I'm happy to be corrected on that point.

Another tip I found out, we'd just (two months ago) renewed our mobile phone contracts with Swisscom and received brand new phones to go with it. I asked the nice chap in the Swisscom office Sihlcity what we should do expecting that we'd either have to give the phones back or pay something as we have two year contract. He told me that if we produce the Abmeldebestätigung mentioned above then Swisscom will cancel the contracts, issue a final invoice and we can then call it quits, we can keep the phones. Sounds unexpectedly reasonable.

It does, always expecting a catch... I suppose they don't sell 2nd hand phones. Sounds like you are in luck!

Start by giving plenty of notice to canceling subscriptions and services, preferably 3 months in advance and send notice of cancelation by recorded delivery (costs CHF 5 at the post office).

Take a weekend break via public transport somewhere in the Graubunden or Ticino, Jura or Valais; walk, eat, relax and ask yourself if you really want to leave...

Alternatively fly to your new chosen home do all the above and thank your lucky stars you've made the right decision (if you feel it in your heart)!!!

It is better to look forward than backwards... but permanently is a bit drastic.

It may sound drastic, but it doesn't always work that way. Mind you not so drastic if you don't have your heart "split"

Three months notice on house, (or whatever your contract states, sent by registered post), house and private liability insurance etc.
Notice to Billag, telephone and internet provider, electricity company (plus forwarding address for final bill), town hall if you pay them for your parking, schools, gym and all other memberships to clubs etc. that might automatically bill you if you don't inform them.
Bank and town hall and migration office to cancel your residence permit or inform you will not be renewing.

Been there, done all that... and it was definitely meant to be permanent too!

As I am thinking of leaving Switzerland permanently, does anyone know the what the procedure is for Swiss citizens leaving? Paperwork? Behörde issues?

register with the swiss consualt in montreal in your chass and happy CANADA day

Actually I am thinking of relocating to India, but if I ever decide to go back to Canada, I'll certainly do that.

pay all of your outstanding tax (or give someone power of attorney to do so) then deregister with your Einwohnerkontrolle (commune, etc)

that's basically the crux of the "official" side of it.

Thank you!

12 months for phone or TV!

No, not if you have your deregistration papers showing you are leaving the country - they then let you out of the contract. (at least as far as I'm aware!)

Correct, or at least it worked 2.5 years ago when I left (before deciding to come back a few months later). I can't imagine it's changed.