Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy and Data Protection Commitment

At Advisico Financial Group, we are unwavering in our commitment to safeguarding the privacy and confidentiality of your personal information. Our comprehensive approach to data protection aligns rigorously with Canadian privacy laws, including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), and applicable provincial legislation. We believe that transparent and robust privacy practices are fundamental to the trust you place in us as your financial advisor.

• Compliance with Canadian Privacy Laws: Our practices are built upon strict adherence to PIPEDA and other relevant provincial privacy laws, ensuring your data is handled with the utmost care.
• Purpose-Driven Collection: We collect only the personal information absolutely necessary for delivering our services effectively and responsibly, such as investment planning and wealth management.
• Client Consent: Your explicit consent is paramount. We obtain your consent for the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information, offering clear procedures for withdrawal of consent.
• Ongoing Review and Updates: Our privacy policy and practices are subject to regular internal and external reviews to adapt to evolving legal landscapes and technological advancements.

Information Collection and Use Practices

To provide you with tailored and effective financial services, Advisico Financial Group collects various types of personal and financial information. This collection is always conducted with transparency and solely for defined purposes that directly support your financial goals.

The types of information we may collect and how we use them include, but are not limited to:

• Personal Identifiable Information (PII): This includes your name, address, date of birth, contact details, and government-issued identification required for account opening and regulatory compliance.
• Financial Information: Details about your income, assets, liabilities, investment objectives, risk tolerance, and transaction history are essential for developing your comprehensive financial plan.
• Website Usage Data: We collect anonymous data regarding your interaction with our website using standard analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics). This helps us improve user experience and site functionality; it does not identify you personally.
• Third-Party Information: In some cases, we may verify information provided by you through third-party sources (e.g., credit bureaus with your consent) to meet our 'Know Your Client' obligations.
• Purpose Limitation: All collected information is strictly used for the purposes for which it was gathered, such as providing advisory services, processing transactions, and fulfilling legal obligations. We do not use your information for unrelated purposes without your further consent.

Data Sharing and Disclosure Policies

Advisico Financial Group treats your information with the highest degree of confidentiality. We only share your data under very specific circumstances and always with strict safeguards in place to protect your privacy.

We may disclose your personal information only in the following situations:

• With Service Providers: We may share limited information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in delivering our services (e.g., portfolio management software providers, custodians). These providers are contractually bound to protect your data and use it only for the purposes agreed upon.
• Professional Advisors: We may share information with your other professional advisors (e.g., accountants, lawyers) with your explicit consent, to ensure a cohesive approach to your financial well-being.
• Regulatory and Legal Compliance: We will disclose information when required by law or judicial process, or to comply with requests from regulatory bodies such as the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC).
• Client Consent for Non-Essential Sharing: For any data sharing beyond our core service delivery or legal obligations, we will always seek and obtain your specific consent.
• International Data Transfers: While Advisico Financial Group is based in Toronto, some of our service providers may operate internationally. In such cases, we ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place (e.g., contractual clauses, privacy shields) to provide a comparable level of data protection.

Security Measures and Data Protection

Protecting your information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction is a paramount priority at Advisico Financial Group. We employ a multi-layered approach to security, combining robust technological solutions with stringent internal protocols.

Our security measures include:

• Physical Security: Secure office facilities with access controls, monitored storage for physical documents, and strict protocols for document disposal.
• Digital Security Protocols: Implementation of industry-standard encryption for data in transit and at rest, multi-factor authentication for internal systems, and robust access controls to ensure only authorized personnel can view sensitive data.
• Employee Training & Confidentiality: All Advisico Financial Group employees undergo mandatory privacy and security training and are bound by strict confidentiality agreements.
• Cybersecurity Systems: Advanced firewalls, intrusion detection systems, antivirus software, and regular vulnerability assessments to protect against cyber threats.
• Incident Response Plan: A well-defined incident response plan to promptly address and mitigate the impact of any potential data breach, including timely notification to affected individuals and relevant authorities as required by law.

Client Rights and Information Access

You have inherent rights concerning your personal information held by Advisico Financial Group. We are committed to facilitating your exercise of these rights with clarity and efficiency.

Your rights include:

• Right to Access: You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you. We will provide this information in an understandable format, subject to legal limitations.
• Right to Correction: If you believe any of your personal information is inaccurate or incomplete, you have the right to request its correction.
• Right to Portability: Where applicable, you may request that your data be provided in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.
• Right to Withdraw Consent: You may withdraw your consent for the collection, use, or disclosure of your personal information at any time, subject to legal or contractual restrictions. Please note that withdrawing consent may impact our ability to provide certain services.
• Complaint Procedures: If you have concerns about our privacy practices, please contact our Privacy Officer. We are committed to investigating and resolving all complaints promptly and fairly.
• Information Retention: We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by law. Once no longer needed, it is securely disposed of.