1. Introduction and Compliance with Canadian Law

Made in Canada Direct (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and other applicable Canadian privacy laws. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you visit our website (the “Platform”) or use our services. By using our Platform, you consent to the practices described in this policy, acknowledging our commitment to Canadian privacy standards.

2. Principles of PIPEDA

This policy adheres to the ten fair information principles outlined in PIPEDA:

• Accountability: We are responsible for personal information under our control.
• Identifying Purposes: We identify the purposes for which personal information is collected.
• Consent: We obtain your consent for the collection, use, or disclosure of your personal information.
• Limiting Collection: We collect only the personal information necessary for the identified purposes.
• Limiting Use, Disclosure, and Retention: We use, disclose, and retain personal information only for the identified purposes or as required by law.
• Accuracy: We keep personal information as accurate, complete, and up-to-date as necessary.
• Safeguards: We protect personal information with appropriate safeguards.
• Openness: We make our policies and practices regarding personal information readily available.
• Individual Access: You have the right to access and correct your personal information.
• Challenging Compliance: You can challenge our compliance with these principles.

3.Information We Collect

We collect information to provide and improve our services, personalize your experience, and communicate with you, ensuring all collection is done in compliance with PIPEDA. The types of information we collect include:

Information You Provide Directly:

• Account Information: Name, email address, password, business information (if applicable).
• Profile Information: Business description, location, social media links.
• Transaction Informaton: Payment information, shipping address, order history.
• Communication Information: Messages, contact information.
• Supplier/Retailer Information: Detailed business information and manufacturing/sourcing details for “Made in Canada” verification.
• Information We Collect Automatically:
• Log Data: IP address, browser type, pages visited, timestamps.
• Cookies and Tracking Technologies: For enhanced browsing and analytics.
• Device Information: Device type, operating system, unique identifiers.

4. How We Use Your Information (Purposes Identified)

We use your information for:

• Service Provision and Improvement: Order fulfillment, personalization, Platform improvement, “Made in Canada” verification.
• Communication: Responding to inquiries, notifications, marketing communications (with consent).
• Security and Fraud Prevention: Detecting fraud, protecting Platform integrity.
• Legal Compliance: Complying with Canadian laws, including PIPEDA.

5. Consent

We obtain your consent for the collection, use, or disclosure of your personal information, as required by PIPEDA. Consent may be express (e.g., ticking a box) or implied (e.g., using our services).

6. Information Sharing and Disclosure (Limiting Disclosure)

• Sellers and Retailers: For order fulfillment and communication.
• Service Providers: For payment processing, shipping, marketing, analytics.
• Legal Obligations: Compliance with Canadian laws.
• Business Transfers: With acquiring entities.
• With Your Consent: As specifically authorized by you.
• Aggregated Data: Anonymized data for analysis.

7. Data Security (Safeguards)

We implement reasonable security measures, including encryption and access controls, to protect your personal information, in compliance with PIPEDA’s safeguards principle.

8. Data Retention (Limiting Retention)

We retain your personal information only as long as necessary for the identified purposes or as required by Canadian law.

9. Your Rights and Choices (Individual Access and Correction)

• Access and Correction: You have the right to access and correct your personal information, subject to PIPEDA’s exceptions.
• Data Portability: You may request a copy of your data.
• Data Deletion: You may request deletion, subject to legal obligations.
• Marketing Communications: You can opt out.
• Cookies: You can control cookies.

10. Children’s Privacy

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16 years of age

11. International Transfers

If data is transferred outside Canada, we ensure compliance with PIPEDA and comparable foreign laws.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy. We will post changes on our Platform.

13. Challenging Compliance 

You can challenge our compliance with PIPEDA by contacting our Privacy Officer through our “Contact Us” page or at hello@madeincanadadirect.ca.

14. Contact Us

For privacy inquiries, contact our Privacy Officer through our “Contact Us” page or at hello@madeincanadadirect.ca.

Effective Date: 1st January 2025.