Privacy Policy

At Canvas Canada, we are committed to protecting your privacy and personal information in accordance with Canadian privacy laws and international best practices.

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

Privacy Summary

We collect minimal information: Only what's necessary to provide our services and communicate with you.

We protect your data: Using industry-standard security measures and Canadian data protection practices.

You have control: You can access, update, or delete your information at any time by contacting us.

1. Information We Collect

Personal Information You Provide

We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide when you:

  • Contact us: Name, email address, phone number, message content
  • Subscribe to our newsletter: Email address, communication preferences
  • Join our community: Name, email, location (province/territory), professional background
  • Participate in programs: Portfolio samples, educational background, career goals

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:

  • Technical information: IP address, browser type, device information, operating system
  • Usage information: Pages visited, time spent on site, referral sources
  • Performance data: Page load times, technical errors, user interactions

Information We Don't Collect

We do not collect:

  • Sensitive personal information (health, financial, religious beliefs)
  • Information from minors under 13 years of age
  • Precise location data beyond province/territory level
  • Information from third-party social media profiles without explicit consent

2. How We Use Your Information

Primary Uses

  • Communication: Responding to inquiries, providing requested information
  • Service delivery: Providing educational resources, community access, program participation
  • Newsletter: Sending design insights and community updates (only with consent)
  • Website improvement: Analyzing usage patterns to enhance user experience

Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal information based on:

  • Consent: When you explicitly agree to receive communications or participate in programs
  • Legitimate interest: To respond to inquiries and improve our services
  • Legal obligation: To comply with Canadian privacy laws and regulations

Canadian Privacy Compliance

Our data handling practices comply with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and applicable provincial privacy legislation.

3. Information Sharing

We Do Not Sell Your Information

Canvas Canada does not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for commercial purposes.

Limited Sharing Circumstances

We may share your information only in these limited circumstances:

  • Service providers: Trusted partners who help us operate our website and services (email providers, hosting services)
  • Legal requirements: When required by Canadian law or to protect our legal rights
  • Business continuity: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or business transfer
  • With your consent: When you explicitly authorize sharing for specific purposes

Service Provider Standards

Any third-party service providers we work with must:

  • Meet Canadian data protection standards
  • Use your information only for specified purposes
  • Implement appropriate security measures
  • Delete information when no longer needed

4. Data Security

Security Measures

We protect your personal information using:

  • Encryption: All data transmission uses SSL/TLS encryption
  • Access controls: Limited access on a need-to-know basis
  • Regular updates: Security systems and software are regularly updated
  • Staff training: Our team receives regular privacy and security training

Data Storage

  • Location: Data is stored on Canadian servers when possible
  • Backup systems: Secure backups with encryption
  • Monitoring: Continuous monitoring for security threats

Incident Response

In the unlikely event of a data breach, we will:

  • Investigate and contain the breach immediately
  • Notify affected individuals within 72 hours when required
  • Report to relevant authorities as required by law
  • Take steps to prevent future incidents

5. Cookies and Tracking

Types of Cookies We Use

  • Essential cookies: Required for basic website functionality
  • Analytics cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our site
  • Preference cookies: Remember your settings and preferences

Cookie Management

You can control cookies through:

  • Our cookie consent banner (appears on first visit)
  • Your browser settings
  • Contacting us directly to opt out

Third-Party Tracking

We do not use:

  • Social media tracking pixels
  • Advertising networks
  • Cross-site tracking technologies
  • Invasive analytics tools

6. Your Rights

Under Canadian Privacy Law

You have the right to:

  • Access: Request information about what personal data we hold about you
  • Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
  • Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal requirements)
  • Portability: Request a copy of your data in a common format
  • Objection: Object to certain uses of your personal information
  • Withdrawal: Withdraw consent for processing based on consent

How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights:

We will respond to your request within 30 days and at no charge.

7. Data Retention

Retention Periods

  • Contact inquiries: 2 years after last contact
  • Newsletter subscriptions: Until you unsubscribe
  • Community memberships: Duration of membership plus 1 year
  • Website analytics: 26 months maximum

Deletion Process

When retention periods expire, we:

  • Permanently delete personal information from active systems
  • Remove data from backup systems within 90 days
  • Maintain only anonymized statistical data for research

8. International Users

Data Transfers

If you are located outside Canada:

  • Your data may be transferred to and processed in Canada
  • We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place
  • Canadian privacy laws provide strong protection
  • You can request information about specific safeguards

European Users

For users in the European Union:

  • Canada is recognized by the EU as providing adequate data protection
  • Your GDPR rights are respected and honored
  • You can lodge complaints with your local data protection authority

9. Policy Changes

We may update this Privacy Policy to:

  • Reflect changes in our services
  • Comply with new legal requirements
  • Improve clarity and transparency
  • Address new privacy concerns

Notification Process

When we make material changes, we will:

  • Post the updated policy on our website
  • Update the "Last Modified" date
  • Notify you by email if you've subscribed to our communications
  • Provide 30 days notice for significant changes

10. Contact Information

Privacy Officer

For all privacy-related inquiries, please contact our Privacy Officer:

Email: privacy@canvas-canada.com

Phone: +1 (416) 872-5348

Mail:
Canvas Canada
Attention: Privacy Officer
215 Front Street West, Suite 604
Toronto, ON M5V 2X3
Canada

Privacy Commissioner Contacts

If you have concerns about our privacy practices, you can also contact:

  • Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada: www.priv.gc.ca
  • Phone: 1-800-282-1376

Thank You

Thank you for trusting Canvas Canada with your personal information. We are committed to maintaining that trust through transparent and responsible privacy practices.