Who We Are
The Veterans Legal Assistance Foundation (“VLAF”) provides support to Canadian veterans so they can pursue disability claims and other legal cases that could benefit veterans nationally.
To achieve this mission, we communicate with veterans, lawyers, donors, sponsors and other community supporters, and it’s important to respect all of these communications. We value the trust of those we deal with, and we recognize that to maintain this trust we must be transparent and accountable about how we treat the information we receive.
To carry out our work, we need to gather and use personal information. Anyone from whom we collect such information should expect that it will be carefully protected and that any use of this information is subject to consent. Our privacy practices are designed to achieve this.
This privacy policy reflects our best efforts to maintain this pledge, while ensuring we can communicate broadly, personally and accurately in the most cost-effective way possible. It explains how we collect, use and safeguard your personal information.
What Is Considered Personal Information?
Personal information is any information that can be used to distinguish, identify or contact a specific individual. This information can include an individual’s opinions or beliefs, as well as facts about, or related to, the individual. In some cases, your computer’s IP address can be considered personal information, as it may give some indication of your geographic location. Exceptions are business contact details and certain publicly available details, such as names, addresses and telephone numbers as published in telephone directories.
Why We Ask For Personal Information
There are a number of reasons why we may ask you for this information, including: to process a request, donation or registration; to invite you to events; or to provide other information about us which might interest you. We also may contact you by mail, email or phone about opportunities to donate in support of our work.
Your choice to provide us with your personal information is yours alone. You may elect to withhold information. In some cases, we will require your personal information in order to fulfil something you’ve asked of us. For example, when you make a donation, we’re required by law to take your full name and mailing address in order to send you a tax-deductible receipt.
How We Collect Personal Information
We may ask you for personal information in a variety of ways, including website forms, surveys, mail-in forms, over the phone and in person.
How We Limit the Collection and Use of Information
The collection of personal information is limited to that which is relevant and necessary to our programs and fundraising efforts. VLAF shall not make unwarranted or intrusive inquiries into a person’s gift history or personal life. VLAF attributes all data that it collects.
Personal information shall not be used or disclosed for purposes other than those for which it was collected, except with the consent of the individual or as required by law. Personal information shall be retained only as long as necessary for the fulfilment of those purposes.
What Data Breach Procedures We Have In Place
Through our website hosting service provider, we have strict data breach procedures in place, including SSL certification to ensure that all data going to and from the website is encrypted, and that website security scans are frequent and robust.
What You Should Know About Consent
An individual’s consent is required for the collection and proposed use of personal information when information is collected. By providing personal information to us, you allow “deemed” consent to the collection, use and disclosure of your information in accordance with this policy.
We respect your right to control your personal information – please contact us immediately if you want us to stop using it in any particular way. We will fulfil your request in a timely manner.
Please note: In order to adhere to Canada Customs and Revenue Agency rules, we are required to maintain donation records and are not allowed to remove this information from our internal records, even at your request.
What Rights You Have Over Your Data
You can request to receive an exported file of any personal data we hold about you, including any data you have provided to us. You can also request that we erase any personal data we hold about you. This does not include any data we are obliged to keep for administrative, legal, or security purposes.
How Accuracy Is Ensured
Personal information shall be as complete, accurate and up-to-date as possible. Veterans and donors are encouraged to review, correct and update personal information.
How We Ensure Security of Information
Personal information gathered by VLAF shall be kept in confidence. VLAF personnel shall be authorized to access personal information based only on their need to deal with the information for the reason(s) for which it was obtained.
Appropriate physical and electronic measures shall be used to ensure personal information is secure. Access to donor and veteran records shall be limited to those who require such information to fulfil their job responsibilities. The confidentiality of donor and veteran records shall continue after the relationship with the individual has ended.
How Data Technology Is Used
In some cases, interacting with our website, social media accounts or emails provides us with “anonymous” data, such as IP address, link clicks, page visits, the time spent on a page, etc. We use Google Analytics on our website to learn where you are, when you’re using our site and what content you find most interesting. This helps us stay relevant.
What You Should Know About Other Websites
Our website may contain links to websites owned and operated by other organizations. They may have their own privacy policies and terms and conditions and are not governed by this policy. We encourage you to review the privacy policy and terms of use of each website you visit.
How Third Parties Are Involved
We do not receive any personal information from third parties, nor do we share personal information with any third parties who might add you to a mailing list. The only exception, as stated, is where we may be legally bound to government requests for tax or security purposes.
How Donation and Credit Card Information Is Protected
VLAF uses the services of Canada Helps which has a robust privacy policy ensuring strict measures to ensure data protection, privacy and adherence to Canadian law regarding charitable donations. Donors who request that their name and/or the amount of the gift not be publicly released shall remain anonymous.
How Updates and Changes Are Made to This Policy
We may change this policy on occasion without notice. Changes will be reflected on this page.
How To Obtain More Information
For further information, please contact our privacy officer by email at sandra@vlaf.ca. Upon request, individuals shall be given access to the information in their record.
This document is available to the public and explains how we collect, use and disclose information, in accordance with PIPEDA. Further information on privacy and your rights in regard to your personal information may be found on the website of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada at www.priv.gc.ca.