Legal Information for Canada
This content is not available in your language yet.
Legal Information for Canada
Section titled “Legal Information for Canada”Last Updated: October 1, 2025
1. Canadian Privacy Framework
Section titled “1. Canadian Privacy Framework”1.1 Applicable Legislation
Section titled “1.1 Applicable Legislation”Federal Law
Section titled “Federal Law”PIPEDA (Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act)
- Applies to commercial activities across Canada
- Primary federal privacy law
- Administered by Privacy Commissioner of Canada
Provincial Laws
Section titled “Provincial Laws”| Province | Legislation | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta | PIPA | Substantially similar to PIPEDA |
| British Columbia | PIPA | Substantially similar to PIPEDA |
| Quebec | Bill 64 (modernizing Law 25) | Stricter than PIPEDA |
| Others | PIPEDA applies | Federal law governs |
InitiumX compliance:
- PIPEDA as baseline
- Quebec Bill 64 standards for QC clients
- Provincial laws respected where applicable
1.2 Privacy Commissioner of Canada
Section titled “1.2 Privacy Commissioner of Canada”Oversight Authority:
- Website: www.priv.gc.ca
- Role: Investigate complaints, enforce PIPEDA
- Powers: Audit, investigate, recommend, publish findings
- Complaints: Free of charge for individuals
2. PIPEDA Fair Information Principles
Section titled “2. PIPEDA Fair Information Principles”2.1 Accountability
Section titled “2.1 Accountability”InitiumX is responsible for:
- Personal information under our control
- Information transferred to third parties
- Designating Privacy Officer
- Implementing policies and procedures
Privacy Officer Contact:
- Email: privacy@initiumx.dev
- Role: Oversee PIPEDA compliance
2.2 Identifying Purposes
Section titled “2.2 Identifying Purposes”We collect personal information only for:
- Service delivery and contract fulfillment
- Communication about projects
- Legal and regulatory compliance
- Business operations (invoicing, support)
Purposes identified:
- At or before time of collection
- In clear language
- With your understanding
2.3 Consent
Section titled “2.3 Consent”Express Consent
Section titled “Express Consent”Required for:
- Sensitive personal information
- Uses beyond original purpose
- Disclosure to third parties (non-agents)
How we obtain:
- Written agreements
- Click-through acceptance
- Email confirmation
- Verbal (documented)
Implied Consent
Section titled “Implied Consent”May apply for:
- Reasonable purposes given context
- Non-sensitive information
- Existing business relationships
Withdrawal of Consent
Section titled “Withdrawal of Consent”You can withdraw consent:
- At any time (subject to legal/contractual limits)
- Email: privacy@initiumx.dev
- Reasonable notice required
- We inform you of implications
2.4 Limiting Collection
Section titled “2.4 Limiting Collection”We collect only information that is:
- Necessary for identified purposes
- Collected by fair and lawful means
- Not excessive for purposes
Methods of collection:
- Directly from you
- From your authorized representatives
- From publicly available sources (when appropriate)
2.5 Limiting Use, Disclosure, and Retention
Section titled “2.5 Limiting Use, Disclosure, and Retention”Use and Disclosure
Section titled “Use and Disclosure”Personal information used/disclosed only for:
- Purposes for which it was collected
- Purposes you subsequently consent to
- As required or permitted by law
Third-party disclosure:
- Service providers (with contracts)
- As required by law or court order
- With your consent
Retention
Section titled “Retention”We retain personal information:
- Only as long as necessary for purposes
- To meet legal requirements (7 years for financial records)
- Securely destroyed after retention period
| Data Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Contracts | 7 years after completion |
| Financial records | 7 years (CRA requirement) |
| Project data | Duration + 90 days |
| Marketing data | Until consent withdrawal |
2.6 Accuracy
Section titled “2.6 Accuracy”We ensure personal information is:
- Accurate, complete, and up-to-date
- Sufficient for purposes
- Updated when necessary
Your responsibility:
- Inform us of changes
- Verify accuracy periodically
- Request corrections
2.7 Safeguards
Section titled “2.7 Safeguards”Security measures appropriate to sensitivity:
- Physical: Restricted access to offices/servers
- Organizational: Policies, training, NDAs
- Technological: Encryption, firewalls, access controls
Specific measures:
- TLS 1.3 for data in transit
- AES-256 for data at rest
- Multi-factor authentication
- Regular security audits
2.8 Openness
Section titled “2.8 Openness”We make information available about:
- Policies and practices
- Types of personal information held
- How information is used
- How to access information
Where to find:
- Privacy Policy
- This document
- Upon request to privacy@initiumx.dev
2.9 Individual Access
Section titled “2.9 Individual Access”You have the right to:
- Be informed of personal information we hold
- Access that information
- Challenge accuracy and completeness
How to request:
- Email: privacy@initiumx.dev
- Subject: “PIPEDA Access Request”
- Timeline: 30 days response
We provide:
- Information about existence, use, disclosure
- Access to the information
- Account of third parties to whom disclosed
Exceptions:
- Prohibitively costly to provide
- Threatens safety or security
- Contains references to other individuals
- Subject to legal privilege
- Generated in investigation of breach
Minimal fees may apply:
- Costs of photocopying
- Postage for mailing
- Preparation time (reasonable)
2.10 Challenging Compliance
Section titled “2.10 Challenging Compliance”You can challenge:
- Compliance with PIPEDA principles
- Accuracy of information
- Denial of access request
How to challenge:
- Contact Privacy Officer: privacy@initiumx.dev
- Internal review: 30 days for response
- Privacy Commissioner: If unsatisfied with response
Commissioner complaint:
- Email: info@priv.gc.ca
- Online: https://www.priv.gc.ca/en/report-a-concern/
- Timeline: Within 1 year of becoming aware of issue
3. Quebec-Specific Requirements (Bill 64 / Law 25)
Section titled “3. Quebec-Specific Requirements (Bill 64 / Law 25)”3.1 Enhanced Rights for Quebec Residents
Section titled “3.1 Enhanced Rights for Quebec Residents”Additional rights beyond PIPEDA:
- Right to data portability
- Right to de-indexing (online reputation)
- Enhanced consent requirements
- Mandatory privacy impact assessments (PIA)
- Mandatory incident registry
Privacy Impact Assessments
Section titled “Privacy Impact Assessments”Required for:
- New technologies with privacy risks
- Communication of personal information outside Quebec
- Use for purposes not previously identified
InitiumX compliance:
- PIA conducted for Quebec client projects
- Documentation available upon request
- Regular review and updates
3.2 Incident Notification (Quebec)
Section titled “3.2 Incident Notification (Quebec)”Enhanced breach notification:
- To CAI (Commission d’accès à l’information): As soon as possible
- To affected individuals: When risk of serious harm
- Incident registry: Mandatory log of all incidents
Stricter than PIPEDA:
- Lower threshold for notification
- Specific timelines and content requirements
- Penalties for non-compliance
3.3 Consent Requirements (Quebec)
Section titled “3.3 Consent Requirements (Quebec)”Must be:
- Manifest (clear action)
- Free
- Informed
- Specific to purposes
- Given for limited time
Cannot be obtained:
- As condition of service (unless necessary)
- Bundled with other consents
- Through pre-checked boxes
4. Cross-Border Data Transfer
Section titled “4. Cross-Border Data Transfer”4.1 PIPEDA Requirements for Transfers
Section titled “4.1 PIPEDA Requirements for Transfers”When transferring personal information outside Canada:
- Inform individuals
- Obtain consent
- Use contractual or other means for comparable protection
- Ensure foreign provider provides same level of protection
Transfers to Honduras/USA
Section titled “Transfers to Honduras/USA”InitiumX safeguards:
- Standard contractual clauses
- Encryption in transit and at rest
- Access controls
- Regular security audits
- Sub-processor agreements
We inform you of:
- Countries where data may be processed
- Purposes of transfer
- Safeguards in place
- Foreign legal requirements (FIPA compliance)
4.2 Foreign Legal Access
Section titled “4.2 Foreign Legal Access”Under PIPEDA:
- Must inform about possibility of foreign government access
- Disclose legal frameworks that may apply (e.g., US CLOUD Act)
- Document requests and disclosures
Transparency commitment:
- Annual transparency report (if requests occur)
- Notification to affected individuals (when legally permitted)
- Challenge unlawful requests
5. Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL)
Section titled “5. Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL)”5.1 CASL Requirements
Section titled “5.1 CASL Requirements”For commercial electronic messages (CEMs):
- Express or implied consent required
- Identification information mandatory
- Unsubscribe mechanism required
InitiumX compliance:
- No unsolicited commercial messages
- Clear identification in all emails
- Easy one-click unsubscribe
- Honor opt-outs within 10 business days (usually within 24 hours)
5.2 Consent Under CASL
Section titled “5.2 Consent Under CASL”Express Consent
Section titled “Express Consent”Obtained via:
- Opt-in checkbox
- Verbal consent (documented)
- Paper form with signature
Valid until:
- Withdrawn by recipient
- No expiry for express consent
Implied Consent
Section titled “Implied Consent”Exists when:
- Existing business relationship (2 years)
- Inquiry or application (6 months)
- Membership, donation, volunteer work (2 years)
- Business card exchange with relevant content
Expires after: Specified timeframes above
5.3 Unsubscribe Mechanism
Section titled “5.3 Unsubscribe Mechanism”Must include:
- Clearly visible unsubscribe link
- Valid for 60 days after sending
- Processed within 10 business days
- No fee to unsubscribe
- No requirement to provide reasons
Our standard:
- Unsubscribe honored within 24 hours
- Confirmation email sent
- No further marketing emails
- Transactional emails may continue
6. Payment and Taxation
Section titled “6. Payment and Taxation”6.1 Canadian Payment Methods
Section titled “6.1 Canadian Payment Methods”Accepted for Canadian clients:
- Credit/debit cards (CAD or USD)
- Electronic funds transfer (EFT)
- Wire transfer
- PayPal (CAD or USD)
- Interac e-Transfer (for amounts < $3,000 CAD)
- Cheque (certified)
6.2 Goods and Services Tax (GST) / Harmonized Sales Tax (HST)
Section titled “6.2 Goods and Services Tax (GST) / Harmonized Sales Tax (HST)”Tax collection:
- Currently: Not registered for GST/HST
- Services: Provided from outside Canada
- Client responsibility: Clients may owe GST/HST under reverse charge or self-assessment
If registration occurs:
- 30 days notice to clients
- GST/HST added to invoices
- Rates vary by province
| Province/Territory | Rate | Type |
|---|---|---|
| ON, NB, NL, NS, PE | 13-15% | HST |
| BC, MB, SK, QC | 5% GST + Provincial | GST + PST |
| AB | 5% | GST only |
| Other territories | 5% | GST |
6.3 Tax Reporting
Section titled “6.3 Tax Reporting”For Canadian businesses:
- May require foreign supplier information
- InitiumX provides invoices for tax reporting
- Classified as non-resident supplier
7. Language Rights
Section titled “7. Language Rights”7.1 Official Languages Act
Section titled “7.1 Official Languages Act”Federal law considerations:
- Services available in English
- French available for Quebec clients upon request
- Key documents translated for bilingual clients
Quebec (Bill 101 / Charter of French Language):
- French version of contracts available
- French customer service for Quebec clients
- Website: Some content in French
7.2 Contract Language
Section titled “7.2 Contract Language”Standard:
- English language contracts
- French version for Quebec upon request
- Bilingual invoices for Quebec
Precedence:
- English version controls (unless otherwise specified)
- French version for Quebec (when specified in contract)
8. Dispute Resolution
Section titled “8. Dispute Resolution”8.1 Applicable Law
Section titled “8.1 Applicable Law”Governing law:
- Honduras law for contract interpretation
- Canadian law for privacy and consumer protection
- Provincial law where applicable
8.2 Dispute Resolution Process
Section titled “8.2 Dispute Resolution Process”Steps:
- Negotiation: Direct discussion (30 days)
- Mediation: Neutral third party (60 days)
- Arbitration: Binding arbitration
- Litigation: As last resort
Venue:
- Virtual arbitration preferred
- Canadian venue if litigation required
- Costs determined by arbitrator/court
9. Industry-Specific Considerations
Section titled “9. Industry-Specific Considerations”9.1 PHIPA (Ontario Health)
Section titled “9.1 PHIPA (Ontario Health)”For Ontario healthcare clients:
- Personal Health Information Protection Act applies
- Additional safeguards required
- Business associate equivalent agreement
- Enhanced security measures
9.2 FIPPA (Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy)
Section titled “9.2 FIPPA (Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy)”For public sector clients:
- Provincial FIPPA laws apply
- Enhanced data residency requirements
- Additional contractual provisions
- Approval for cloud storage
10. Contact Information
Section titled “10. Contact Information”10.1 Canadian Client Support
Section titled “10.1 Canadian Client Support”General Support
Section titled “General Support”- Email: canada@initiumx.dev
- Phone: +504 3253-6271
- Hours: Eastern Time business hours
Privacy Officer
Section titled “Privacy Officer”- Email: privacy@initiumx.dev
- For: PIPEDA requests, privacy questions
Quebec Clients (French Support)
Section titled “Quebec Clients (French Support)”- Email: quebec@initiumx.dev
- Langue: Français disponible
10.2 Regulatory Contacts
Section titled “10.2 Regulatory Contacts”Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
Section titled “Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada”- Website: www.priv.gc.ca
- Phone: 1-800-282-1376
- Complaints: https://www.priv.gc.ca/en/report-a-concern/
CAI Quebec (Commission d’accès à l’information)
Section titled “CAI Quebec (Commission d’accès à l’information)”- Website: www.cai.gouv.qc.ca
- Phone: 1-888-528-7741
- For: Quebec residents only
11. Resources
Section titled “11. Resources”11.1 Related Documents
Section titled “11.1 Related Documents”Canadian clients should review:
11.2 External Resources
Section titled “11.2 External Resources”Privacy Resources:
- PIPEDA Full Text: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/P-8.6/
- OPC Guidance: https://www.priv.gc.ca/en/privacy-topics/
- CASL: https://fightspam.gc.ca/
Quebec:
- Bill 64: https://www.cai.gouv.qc.ca/
- CAI Guidance: https://www.cai.gouv.qc.ca/documents/
Last Updated: October 1, 2025 Version: 1.0 Next Review: January 2026
Canada Support: canada@initiumx.dev | Privacy: privacy@initiumx.dev