Privacy Policy

The Greater Victoria Economic Development Commission (GVEDC) is committed to protecting all personal information that it receives. Our goal is to maintain the highest quality of service and integrity in all our dealings. All use, disclosure and retention of information must comply with provisions of the British Columbia Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. (www.mser.gov.bc.ca/foi_pop/) Any sub-contractors we employ will also be expected to adhere to our policy and the Privacy Act.

Definition of Personal Information:

* Personal information is any information about an identifiable individual and includes:
i) Age, sex, marital status, race, nationality, ethnic origin and religious or political beliefs

ii) Credit card and financial information; and

iii) Information regarding the individual’s work history, business plans or ideas, social insurance number, or government support status.

* Personal information excludes business contact information such as:
i) Title, business telephone and fax numbers, street and e-mail addresses.

Information Storage
We will only collect, store, use or disclose personal information for the identified purposes of service delivery and case management of clients, and hiring, managing and terminating employment of our staff. All personal information records will be destroyed as soon as it is reasonable to assume retention is no longer necessary.

Information Collection
Each program administered by the GVEDC has individual “intake” or “information collection” forms, collecting only personal information applicable and necessary for the program service delivery and operation.

The GVEDC will obtain consent, verbal or written, when collecting personal information, ensuring you understand the purpose and process in which the information will be used.

Information Access
You have a right to access your own personal information and may do so with a written request. Within 15 days, GVEDC will give you a copy of all information requested, an explanation of how the personal information is, or has been, used, and a list of any individuals or organizations to whom the personal information has been disclosed. If GVEDC has reasons (compliant with the Privacy Act) that it is unable to fulfill your request, it will respond with the reasons and the provisions of The Act upon which the ‘refusal’ to comply is based, a name or title and contact information for the GVEDC staff person who can explain the situation and information on how to request a review by the Information and Privacy Commissioner.

Correction of Personal Information
We make every reasonable effort to ensure the accuracy and completeness of information but if there is a correction of Personal Information required, upon your written request, GVEDC will make the correction within 5 working days.

Withdrawal of Consent
If you wish to withdraw consent for the use, storage, collection or disclosure of Personal Information, notify us in writing, and we will cease to use, store, collect or distribute it. Exceptions to this would be if withdrawal of consent would frustrate the performance of a legal obligation or the use, storage, collection, and disclosure are permitted under the Act without consent.

Unsolicited Personal Information
All unsolicited information, including resumes, are destroyed without being reviewed.

Protection of Personal Information
We protect the Personal Information in our custody and control it with safeguards appropriate to its sensitivity. Paper file information is kept in secure locked cabinets, and offices. Electronic information requires passwords for access.

Enquiries or Concerns
GVEDC ensures any process regarding Personal Information is fair, impartial and confidential. The designate Privacy Officer will be responsible for answering questions or concerns and will handle them in compliance with the Privacy Act. A privacy complainant will be informed of the handling process, informed of their right to complain to the Information and Privacy Commissioner and have their complaint forwarded. The Privacy Officer must acknowledge the complaint promptly, record the entire procedure with date and nature of complaint, contact the individual if necessary, and investigate the complaint. The GVEDC will take all appropriate measures to rectify the situation and the Privacy Officer will inform the individual of all the steps taken. The Privacy Officer will also ensure amendments of any policy or practice proven necessary.

Contact Information:
Greater Victoria Economic Development Commission (Business Victoria)
Sussex Place, G7, 1001 Douglas Street,
Victoria B.C. V8W 2C5
(250) 384-2432
www.businessvictoria.net