Background

On January 1, 2004, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) became law in Canada.  The purpose of this legislation is to protect the privacy rights of Canadians.  The Province of B.C. has enacted legislation (PIPA) that is substantially similar to the federal legislation.  This legislation obligates all non-government organizations to protect personal information in a manner that a reasonable person would consider appropriate in the circumstances.

The PIPEDA will be enforced by the Privacy Commissioner of Canada and the PIPA by the Information and Privacy Commissioner of B.C.  They will receive complaints about contraventions of the rules, conduct investigations and attempt to resolve such complaints.  Unresolved complaints may be taken to court and fines may be levied for non-compliance.

Church Pickard's Policies 

Our privacy policies have been prepared to adhere to the Canadian Standards Association Model Privacy Code.  Our policies relate to the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information by the firm, its partners, and employees.

Accountability 

Church Pickard is accountable for the information of our clients under its control and have designated the partners responsible for each client to be specifically accountable for the firm’s compliance with these principles.

Identifying Purposes

If requested by our clients, Church Pickard shall identify the purposes for which the information is collected at or before the time the information is collected.  We will not collect or use information unless required to complete the work we have been engaged to perform.  Clients are free to inquire of any of our partners or staff members the reason we are asking for any information and the use we intend to make of it.

Consent 

The knowledge and consent of our clients are required for the collection, use, or disclosure of client information, unless authorized by the client in advance or required by law.

Limiting Collection

The collection of client information shall be limited to that which is necessary for the purposes identified by Church Pickard.  Information shall be collected by fair and lawful means.

Limiting Use, Disclosure, and Retention 

Client information shall not be used or disclosed for purposes other than those for which it was collected, except with the client’s consent or as required by law.  Taxation authorities, such as Canada Revenue Agency and the B.C. Ministry of Finance, have broad powers to require that information be provided to them.  Even if required by law to provide any information to such bodies, we will contact our clients in advance and, if necessary, seek appropriate legal advice, if we believe that to provide such information would compromise their privacy or rights as a taxpayer or tax collector.  Client information will be retained only as long as necessary for the fulfilment of those purposes.