At Plamondon Chartered Professional Accountant Corporation (“we”, “us”, or “our”) and our affiliated independent legal entities, we are committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of the personal information of our clients, partners, subcontractors, and employees. This policy outlines our practices for collecting, using, storing, and safeguarding the personal information you entrust to us, in full compliance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (“PIPEDA”).
Protecting your privacy is fundamental to our business, and we are committed to providing clarity in how we collect, use, and allow you to review or correct your personal information.
We do not disclose, sell, lease, or trade personal information to third parties.
Information Collection
Whilst providing services, conducting due diligence, or discussing potential services we might provide, we may collect personal information about you, either directly from you, through our interactions, or from third parties. This may include contact details, business information, information about related parties, and other relevant information necessary to fulfill our professional obligations.
We collect this information because you provide it, others provide it to us, or it is publicly available.
We recognize the importance of protecting children’s privacy, especially in an online environment. We do not knowingly collect, disclose, or sell the personal information of children. If you believe that we have inadvertently collected information related to a minor, except as part of a professional engagement, please notify us promptly and we will ensure the information is deleted.
Use of Information
The information we collect is used to deliver our professional services, manage our client relationships, and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. We may also use this information to improve our services and provide relevant updates.
Information Sharing
We do not share your personal information with third parties, except as required by law, or when necessary to perform our services with your consent. Any third parties we engage are bound by confidentiality obligations and are required to safeguard your information.
Information Security
Access to your information is restricted to our personnel, subcontractors, and select representatives who are legally bound to maintain confidentiality. We may disclose your personal information to third parties as required or permitted by law, but only with your knowledge and consent unless legally obligated.
In accordance with industry standards, we have implemented policies and procedures to safeguard your information from loss, misuse, improper disclosure, unauthorized access, alteration, or destruction. However, please note that internet transmission is never completely secure, and we cannot guarantee the security of information transmitted to or from us.
For more details on our data protection practices, please refer to our “Protecting Your Data” section.
Your Rights
At any point in time, you have the right to:
· access;
· obtain a copy of;
· correct;
· restrict or object to the processing of your personal information; or
· request its deletion.
If you have any concerns about how we handle your personal information, please contact us directly at [email protected].
Contact Us
If you have any questions regarding this Privacy Statement, how we process your personal information, or if you have concerns about a potential breach of privacy law or other regulations, please contact our data protection officer at [email protected].
In any event, you retain the right to file a complaint with the local data protection authority or pursue the matter in a court of competent jurisdiction.
Policy Updates
We may modify or amend this Privacy Statement from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. Any significant changes in the way we collect, use, and share personal information will be communicated to our clients and will be effective immediately upon posting.
We recommend that you review this Privacy Statement from time to time to stay informed about how we continue to protect the confidentiality of your personal information.
At Plamondon Chartered Professional Accountant Corporation, information security is one of our highest priorities and a fundamental responsibility to our stakeholders. Safeguarding our clients’ data is central to everything we do, and we are committed to ensuring that your information remains secure at all times. This policy outlines the measures we have implemented to protect your data from unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or disclosure.
We protect information assets, personal data, and client information whenever and wherever they are created, processed, transmitted, or stored. Our approach to security is underpinned by effective governance and ongoing compliance with applicable domestic and international regulatory standards, achieved through the following principles:
· Transparency: We provide clear notice to clients and prospective clients about the purpose for which their personal data is being processed.
· Comprehensive Protection: We implement robust physical, technical, and organizational security measures to protect personal data.
· Data Retention: Personal data is retained in an identifiable form only for as long as required by regulators, and that a client relationship is sustained, after which it is securely disposed of.
o We reserve the right to retain any papers, materials, or information provided to us until all payments due to us have been made.
o Our own files remain our own property.
o If work is transferred from us to another service provider, the files remain with us, and we reserve the right to charge for copying the contents in order to provide them to the new provider. You will continue to have access to these files free of charge.
· Legitimate Processing: Personal data is processed, stored, and disclosed solely for legitimate business purposes, ensuring that all actions are justified and transparent.
· Enhanced Care for Sensitive Data: We exercise additional diligence and care in handling sensitive personal data, recognizing its heightened importance.
· Data Integrity: We maintain appropriate measures to keep personal data accurate, complete, current, adequate, and reliable, ensuring the integrity of the information we hold.
· Limited Collection: We do not collect special category personal data such as information about health, ethnic origins, religious beliefs, criminal convictions or sexual orientation.
Our global data protection and information security priorities are aligned to support a unified and cohesive vision for protecting our information assets, personal data, and client information. This vision is reinforced through:
· Ongoing Training and Awareness: We conduct continuous training and awareness programs for all partners, employees, and subcontractors, ensuring that everyone understands their role in protecting data.
· Advanced Security Controls: We employ a range of technical security controls, including:
o Encryption: We use industry-standard encryption protocols to protect your data during transmission and storage, ensuring that only authorized parties can access your information.
o Access Controls: Access to your data is restricted to authorized personnel on your engagement(s) only. All partners, employees, and subcontractors are bound by strict confidentiality agreements and are granted access based on the principle of least privilege.
o Firewalls and Intrusion Detection: We deploy advanced firewall and intrusion detection systems to prevent unauthorized access to our networks and systems.
Further to the above, we also ensure that our partners, employees, and subcontractors uphold the following security requirements:
· Desktop encryption
· Desktop and laptop firewalls
· Antivirus and anti-malware software
· Multifactor authentication
· Strong physical, environmental, network, and perimeter controls
· Intrusion detection and prevention technologies
· Monitoring and detection systems
Our comprehensive approach to data security is anchored by our global information security and personal conduct policies. These policies are designed to uphold the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of personal and client information, ensuring that your data is protected at every stage.
We are committed to continually enhancing our security practices. We stay informed of emerging threats and regularly update our security protocols to address new challenges. Additionally, from time to time, we will review and revise our security protocols to adapt to evolving best practices and technological advancements.
Third-Party Security
When we engage third-party service providers, we carefully select partners who meet our stringent security standards. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and are subject to regular security assessments to ensure compliance.
Your Responsibilities
While we take extensive measures to protect your data, it is important that you also take steps to safeguard your information. We encourage you to use strong passwords, keep your login credentials confidential, and be cautious of phishing attempts or other online threats.
Further, it is your right to decline to disclose any personal data to us. If you exercise your right to do so, we may be unable to provide you with our services in full or complete our contractual obligations. In exercising your right in this way, you agree that neither Plamondon Chartered Professional Accountant Corporation nor any of its affiliates are in breach of contract with you.
If you have any questions or concerns about our data security practices, please contact us at [email protected]. We are here to provide the information you need to feel confident in how we protect your data.
At Plamondon Chartered Professional Accountant Corporation, we are dedicated to delivering excellence and creating lasting value for our clients. Our firm operates with the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and professionalism, ensuring that all our actions comply with applicable laws, regulations, and industry best practices. This Legal Statement outlines the terms and conditions governing the use of our services and website, as well as the legal obligations of our clients, partners, and stakeholders.
Professional Services Agreement
By engaging Plamondon Chartered Professional Accountant Corporation or any of its affiliates for professional services, you (“Client“) agree to the terms and conditions outlined in our engagement letter, which will be provided to you upon the commencement of our services. Our engagement letter, together with any applicable schedules or appendices, constitutes the entire agreement between us and supersedes any prior agreements or understandings, whether written or oral.
Confidentiality and Data Protection
We are committed to protecting the confidentiality of all client information in accordance with our Privacy Statement and applicable data protection laws, including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (“PIPEDA”). We will not disclose, sell, lease, or trade any personal information to third parties without your express consent, except as required by law or as necessary to provide our services.
We employ robust security measures to protect your data from unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or disclosure. These measures include encryption, access controls, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems. We also conduct regular security assessments and update our protocols to address emerging threats. The confidentiality obligations set forth herein shall survive the termination of the engagement and shall remain in effect for a period of 5 years following the termination, or as long as the information remains confidential, whichever is longer.
Intellectual Property Rights
All materials, reports, documents, and other deliverables provided to you as part of our services (“Deliverables“) are protected by intellectual property rights and remain the property of Plamondon Chartered Professional Accountant Corporation. You are granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the Deliverables for your internal business purposes only. You may not reproduce, distribute, or otherwise disclose the Deliverables to any third party without our prior written consent.
Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Plamondon Chartered Professional Accountant Corporation, including its partners, employees, and subcontractors, shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of profits, data, or business opportunities, arising out of or in connection with our services, even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages.
Our total liability for any claims arising out of or related to our services, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), or otherwise, shall be limited to the aggregate amount of fees paid by the Client for the specific services giving rise to the claim.
Compliance with Laws and Regulations
We operate in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and professional standards in the jurisdictions where we provide services. This includes adherence to anti-money laundering (“AML”) regulations, anti-bribery and corruption laws, and other regulatory requirements relevant to our industry.
Clients are expected to provide accurate and complete information to facilitate our compliance with legal and regulatory obligations. Failure to do so may result in the suspension or termination of our services.
Termination of Services
Either party may terminate the engagement by providing written notice to the other party in accordance with the terms outlined in the engagement letter. Upon termination, the Client shall promptly pay any outstanding fees for services rendered up to the date of termination.
We reserve the right to retain any documents, materials, or information provided by the Client until all payments due to us have been made. Our files remain our property, and we may charge for copying the contents to provide them to a new service provider if the Client wishes to transfer their business.
Dispute Resolution
Any disputes arising out of or related to our services shall be resolved through good faith negotiations between the parties. If the dispute cannot be resolved through negotiation, the parties agree to submit the matter to binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the applicable arbitration body. For services rendered in Canada, the arbitration shall take place in Alberta, and the language of the arbitration shall be in English or French, whereas for those rendered in the United Arab Emirates, the arbitration shall take place in Abu Dhabi, and the language of the arbitration shall be English.
Governing Law
This Legal Statement and any disputes arising out of or related to our services shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Alberta, for services rendered in Canada, and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, for services rendered in the United Arab Emirates, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. For services rendered in jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United Arab Emirates, the governing law shall be determined based on the location specified in the engagement letter.
Force Majeure
Plamondon Chartered Professional Accountant Corporation shall not be liable for any delay or failure to perform any of its obligations under this Legal Statement, if such delay or failures results from circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to, acts of God, natural disasters, pandemics, war, or other unforeseen events (“Force Majeure”).
Severability
If any provision of this Legal Statement is found to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions, which shall remain in full force and effect.
Contact Information
If you have any questions or concerns about this Legal Statement or our services, please contact us at info@pcpac.ca. We are committed to addressing any issues promptly and in accordance with applicable laws and professional standards.
Policy Updates
We may update this Legal Statement from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or industry standards. Any significant changes will be communicated to our clients and will take effect immediately upon posting on our website. We recommend that you review this Legal Statement periodically to stay informed of any updates.