Our Policy for Protecting your Privacy
EBS ASSOCIATES assigns great importance to the protection of your privacy. As such, we have designed a Privacy Policy, which is detailed below. This policy is designed to ensure that you and your employees' personal information is kept private and secure, and that we only obtain information which is essential to the operation of your benefits plan.
Accountability
EBS Associates is responsible for the personal information in its possession, and has created this privacy policy to safeguard such information.
Identifying Purpose
EBS Associates identifies the purpose of collecting personal information, either before or at the time of collection.
Consent
EBS Associates collects, uses, and discloses personal information only with the consent of the individual, or as otherwise allowed by law.
Limiting Collection
EBS Associates only collects personal information which is absolutely necessary for the purposes identified.
Limiting Use, Disclosure, and Retention
EBS Associates will only use the information for the reason it was collected, and will not disclose this information to a third party unless consent is given. EBS Associates will only retain personal information for as long as it is absolutely necessary.
Accuracy
EBS Associates strives to ensure that the information we possess is accurate and up-to-date.
Safeguards
EBS Associates protects the security and confidentiality of the personal information. We have developed and are continuing to enhance security procedures which will protect personal information against loss, theft, unauthorized disclosure, copying, and unauthorized use or modification.
Openness
These Privacy Principles are available to clients, the public, and the Chief Compliance Officer if necessary.
Individual Access
An individual may request to be informed of the existence, use and disclosure of personal information pertaining to him or her. EBS Associates will provide appropriate access to this information if requested by the individual.
Challenging Compliance
EBS Associates will investigate any complaints concerning the handling of the personal information, and will act on any such complaints where necessary.
Why we collect and use personal information
In most cases, EBS Associates will not be responsible for the collection of personal data. The information we do use is provided to us by third party sources (insurance companies, clients) and already abides by privacy guidelines. However in some instances, the collection of your personal information is essential to our being able to provide you with products and services which best suit your needs.
Personal information can be used for:
- Administration of Group or Individual Benefit Plans
- Communication with clients or individuals
- Determination of eligibility for products
- Other purposes, subject to your consent
Consent
We must obtain your consent for information that we collect and use. This consent is either expressed by you (in writing, for example), or is implied by the circumstances. When you grant us your consent, it allows us to collect and use your information in a manner which is reasonable, and ultimately of benefit to you.
Sharing Personal Information
Through the course of business, we may need to share your personal information with our third party affiliates (insurance companies, carriers). However, at or before the time of collection, we will clearly outline the purpose of said information, as well as ensure that we have your consent to share it.
Safeguards
EBS Associates makes every effort to ensure the security of your personal information, by employing both physical and electronic safeguards designed to protect it from unauthorized users.
Contact Information
If you have any questions or comments, please contact Leonard J. Bugyra, President at lbugyra@ebsassociates.ca
If you would like more information with regards to Privacy Legislation, visit the Federal Privacy Office website here.