Privacy policy

Introduction

We understand the importance of the protection of the privacy of the personal information of individuals and the importance of security of confidential information of all types. This document sets out our policy regarding the collection, use and disclosure of personal information and security of confidential information of all types, including personal information.

Purposes of Collection, Use and Disclosure of Personal Information

SmartSAVER collects, uses, stores and discloses personal information of users of SmartSAVER’s services only as necessary to operate the SmartSAVER program, and to provide related services to those individuals. The operation of SmartSAVER includes, but is not limited to, the following activities: collecting and using personal information in relation to the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) and the Canada Learning Bond (CLB), both administered by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, a department of the Government of Canada; disclosing indirectly personal information to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, a department of the Government of Canada regarding the CESG and the CLB; collecting and using personal information in relation to Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs) and RESP providers and other financial service providers); disclosing directly personal information to RESP providers and other financial service providers); operation of the SmartSAVER website, marketing SmartSAVER; and compiling statistics for analytical and marketing purposes. Information submitted to the SmartSAVER website is kept strictly confidential unless disclosed in accordance with your express consent or legal requirements. In all cases, the provision of personal information by users who register on the SmartSAVER site (each a “user”) is voluntary: any personal information provided by a user is submitted at the user’s discretion.

Information provided by a user will not be forwarded, traded or sold to outside organizations unless disclosed in accordance with your express consent. Users who register with SmartSAVER for any purpose may request to be removed from our email list and any other electronic distribution list, at any time. SmartSAVER reserves the right to contact any user at any time to forward information, respond to questions or provide notification of any changes to our program or our policies.

SmartSAVER maintains a statistical record of SmartSAVER website usage and traffic. Analysis of this information reveals which pages are most often visited and the domains from which people visit the site. Identifying these trends helps us to provide more useful information to visitors.

Accountability

SmartSAVER has designated a Privacy Compliance Officer to handle privacy matters and inquiries regarding personal information.

Disclosure of Personal Information

SmartSAVER will disclose personal information only if consent is given by the relevant individual or:

1. to entities that assist SmartSAVER in operating SmartSAVER programs and in providing services to users of the SmartSAVER website;
2. when permitted or required by law, such as in response to a subpoena or other legal process;
3. to a transferee of all or part of The Omega Foundation; or
4. to meet legal obligations such as regulatory reporting.

Links to Other Sites

Neither SmartSAVER nor The Omega Foundation assumes either responsibility or control over the content, security, accessibility or accuracy of sites to which we may provide links. When leaving the SmartSAVER site (including without limitation when accessing any website or documentation related to the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG), the Canada Learning Bond (CLB), Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, the Government of Canada, any other government or public institution or a quasi-public institution, or any Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) provider or other financial service provider), please check the privacy policy and security certificates for the site you are visiting before sharing information.

Personal Information Provided to the Government

Any personal information supplied by an individual directly or indirectly to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and/or the Government of Canada (on or through the course of accessing SmartSAVER’s website or the SmartSAVER program in relation to the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG), the Canada Learning Bond (CLB) or Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs), is subject to the privacy rights of the individual under the Privacy Act which applies to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and/or the Government of Canada. Neither SmartSAVER nor The Omega Foundation assumes either responsibility or control over any aspect of the administration of the Privacy Act which applies to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and/or the Government of Canada. With respect to the Privacy Act as it relates to the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG), the Canada Learning Bond (CLB), Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and/or the Government of Canada, please see ‘Your Privacy Rights’ at
http://www.esdc.gc.ca/assets/portfolio/docs/en/student_loans/resp/forms/sde0093.pdf.

Protecting Confidential Information, including Personal Information

SmartSAVER protects confidential information of all types, including personal information, with organizational, physical, mechanical and electronic safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information.

Access, Questions and Concerns

An individual may submit a written request to access his or her personal information retained by SmartSAVER. SmartSAVER is operated by The Omega Foundation.

All correspondence should be sent to the following address:

SmartSAVER Privacy Compliance Officer
The Omega Foundation
1407 Yonge Street
Suite 503
Toronto, ON
M4T 1Y7

Telephone: 855-737-7252
Facsimile: 647-776-7575
Email: info@smartsaver.org