As of January 1, 2004, Federal legislation - the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (the Act) - came into effect, applying to all businesses and companies in Canada. The Act establishes new rules for privacy. The rules recognize the rights of individuals to control the use of their personal information and impose obligations on organizations to protect personal information in a manner that a reasonable person would consider appropriate in the circumstances. Under the Act, information is defined as personal information if it can be attributable to a specific individual.

We are committed to ensuring our clients' privacy and to abide by the Ten Privacy Principles of the Act.

1. Accountability

   We are responsible for personal information under our control. We have designated a Privacy Officer who is responsible for monitoring our ongoing compliance with the Privacy Principles.

2. Identifying Purposes

   We will use your personal information only for the purposes for which the information was collected. We will ask for and obtain verbal or written proof of your expressed consent before using it for any other purposes.

3. Consent

   Your knowledge and consent is required for our collection, use and disclosure of personal information. Your consent may be expressed in writing or be given verbally or electronically.

4. Limiting Collection

   The collection of your personal information must be by fair and lawful means, and will be limited to that which is necessary for the purposes identified.

5. Limiting Use, Disclosure and Retention Personal Information

   Your personal information may only be used or disclosed for the purposes for which it was collected, other purposes you consent to, or as required or permitted by law. We will keep your personal information for as long as is necessary to satisfy the purposes for which it was collected, or as required or permitted by law.

6. Accuracy

   We will strive to keep our personal information that is collected, used or disclosed to be as accurate, complete, and up-to-date as is necessary for the purposes for which it is to be used.

7. Safeguards

   Your personal information is protected by using appropriate safeguards that are appropriate to the sensitivity of the information, in order to protect your personal information from unwarranted intrusion, release or misuse.

8. Openness

   We have designated a Privacy Officer who will answer your questions with respect to specific information about our privacy policies nd practices relating to the management of your personal information.

9. Individual Access

   Upon written request, you will be informed of the existence, use and disclosure of your personal information, and you will be given access to it on a timely basis. You may also verify the accuracy and completeness of your information, and request that it be amended, if appropriate.

Inquiries and Concerns

Please contact our Privacy Officer should you have any inquiries or concerns about our privacy policies and practices.

Email: privacyofficer@thetaxman.ca