Privacy Policy

Canada Bill Relief Program (CBRP)

The Canada Bill Relief Program (CBRP) is committed to protecting the privacy of individuals and safeguarding the personal information entrusted to us. This Privacy Notice outlines our practices regarding the collection, use, disclosure, retention, and disposal of personal information in compliance with the Privacy Act and related federal government policies.

1. What is Personal Information?

"Personal Information" refers to any recorded information about an identifiable individual. This may include, but is not limited to:

a. Identity Information: Name, address, telephone number, email address.

b. Unique Identifiers: Social Insurance Number (SIN), date of birth, and unique client identifier.

c. Financial Information: Income, banking details, bills, debt statements, or other financial records used to determine eligibility for the Program.

d. Demographic Information: Marital status, number of dependants, or other data collected on the application form.

e. Online Identifiers (Web Analytics): IP address (when linked to other data), browsing history, and cookies.

2. Purpose of Personal Information Collection

We collect personal information only for purposes that relate directly to the operation and administration of the Canada Bill Relief Program. The primary purposes are:

Eligibility Determination - Identity, unique identifiers, financial information.

Benefit Delivery - Identity, unique identifiers, and banking details for payment processing.

Program Monitoring & Evaluation - Aggregated demographic and financial data (de-identified) for statistical and reporting purposes.

Communication - Contact information (name, address, email, phone) to respond to inquiries and provide updates.

Security & Audits - Online identifiers and application data to protect against fraudulent claims and ensure data integrity.

The CBRP will inform individuals from whom we collect personal information of the purpose for which it is being collected, as required by the Privacy Act.

3. Limiting Collection, Use, and Disclosure

A. Limiting Collection

We limit the collection of personal information to only that which is necessary to fulfill the purposes identified above. Personal information is collected directly from the individual concerned wherever possible.

B. Limiting Use

Personal information will only be used for:

a. The purpose for which it was obtained or compiled (i.e., administering the CBRP).

b. A use consistent with that purpose.

c. Any other use to which the individual has consented.

C. Limiting Disclosure (Sharing)

Personal information under the control of the CBRP will not be disclosed to third parties without the consent of the individual, except in accordance with subsection 8(2) of the Privacy Act. Permitted disclosures may include:

a. Internal Government Sharing: Sharing with other federal or provincial government institutions (e.g., Canada Revenue Agency) to verify eligibility for the Program or to detect and prevent fraud.

b. Law Enforcement: Disclosure to an investigative body (e.g., police) for the purpose of enforcing Canadian law or conducting a criminal investigation.

c. External Service Providers (Contractors): Disclosure to external organizations under contract to the CBRP (e.g., IT services, payment processors), provided they are bound by strict contractual terms requiring them to protect the information in a manner consistent with the Privacy Act.

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to any third party.

4. Security and Safeguards

The CBRP employs various administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your personal information against loss, theft, and unauthorized access, disclosure, copying, use, or modification. These safeguards include:

a. Using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption for all data transmitted during the application and account login process.

b. Restricting access to personal information to only employees and contractors who require it to perform their duties.

c. Maintaining government-mandated security and audit logs to monitor access to systems.

5. Retention and Disposal

Personal information is retained only for as long as required for the administration of the CBRP, or as required by the relevant federal retention schedules and legal requirements, including those of the Library and Archives of Canada Act. Once no longer required, personal information will be disposed of using secure methods (e.g., electronic shredding or secure physical destruction).

6. Web Analytics and Cookies

A. Web Analytics

We use web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to help us analyze the use of our website to improve its functionality and content. The information collected for this purpose is generally technical, such as:

a. The originating IP address (masked to ensure anonymity).

b. The type of browser, operating system, and device used.

c. The pages visited and the time spent on each page.

This data is used to produce aggregated and anonymous reports for statistical purposes only. We do not use this data to identify individual visitors.

B. Digital Markers (Cookies)

The website may use "cookies," which are small files stored on your device by your web browser. Cookies are used to:

a. Maintain the security of your online application session.

b. Remember your language preference.

You can adjust your browser settings to reject cookies; however, doing so may impact your ability to use certain features of the online application portal.

7. Your Privacy Rights and Contact Information

Under the Privacy Act, you have the right to:

a. Access your personal information under the control of the CBRP.

b. Request a correction of any errors or omissions in your personal information.

To exercise these rights, or if you have any questions, concerns, or complaints regarding this Privacy Notice, please contact the Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) Coordinator for the CBRP:

ATIP Coordinator

Canada Bill Relief Program

580 Booth Street Ottawa, ON K1A 0E4 Canada

Email: [email protected]