Privacy Policy
The Privacy Policy is included for distribution to all clients upon account opening.
Designed Securities Ltd. (DSL) considers protection of personal and confidential information a top priority and we adhere to strict privacy guidelines amongst employees, agents, and service providers. We maintain standards designed to protect your privacy and prevent any misuse of your personal information.
Personal Information Definition
The term “personal information” refers to information that specifically identifies you as an individual and is provided to or collected by us. It includes, for example, your name and address, age and gender, personal information records, identification numbers such as your social insurance number (SIN), and your employment information. For business clients, “information” includes the above data plus names of officers, directors, owners, shareholders, jurisdiction of incorporation, type of business, financial information, and ownership structure.
Requirements for Personal Information
Personal Information is required by DSL for various reasons. The purposes for which client information is collected shall be identified before or at the time the information is collected. Information is collected from you, from our own records and from references you provide to us. Additionally, we collect personal information from sources like credit reporting agencies, other financial institutions, and certain service providers. When you open an account with us, you authorize us to collect the information we need to support the terms of our relationship and obligations to one another. The knowledge and consent of the client are required for the collection, use or disclosure of client information except where required or permitted by law.
Limits to Collection and Use of Personal Information
Only information that is necessary for the products and services requested will be collected. Information will be collected by fair and lawful means. Information will not be used or disclosed for any other purposes or to any other group beyond those required to provide the services and products requested by you, or as required or permitted by law.
Who is Responsible?
DSL is responsible for maintaining and protecting client information under its control. DSL will keep personal information as accurate, complete, and up to date as necessary for its purposes. We encourage you to maintain frequent contact with your Investment Advisor at any time that your personal information changes. DSL will also ensure individuals are reasonably able to acquire information regarding our policies and procedures and where material can be shared, it will be available.
rerequireSharing youR Personal Information
DSL will not sell, trade, or lend your personal information to any third parties unless we have your express permission to do so. We may use and share your personal information with our employees, third party service providers and other financial institutions, but they will not share this information with others. The information will only be used for the following purposes:
- to verify your identity and conduct background verification,
- to operate your account and provide you with products and services you may request,
- to better understand your financial situation,
- to set up, manage and offer products and services,
- if you provide us your social insurance number, we may share it with government authorities for tax purposes. We may share it with credit reporting agencies to ensure the accurate matching of credit history files, or
- if you select to disclose or specifically direct us to disclose your personal information to a third party (as in the case where you request a product, such as a mutual fund or a service from a third party, after receiving.
We may also use or share your personal information to meet legal requirements and securities regulatory authorities and self-regulatory organizations including, the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization and the Canadian Investor Protection Fund. These organizations collect, use or disclose such personal information obtained from registrants for regulatory purposes, including:
- surveillance of trading-related activity,
- sales, financial compliance, trade desk review and other regulatory audits,
- investigation of potential regulatory and statutory violations,
- regulatory databases,
- enforcement or disciplinary proceeding, and
- reporting to securities regulators.
What Are Your Options?
To open and maintain an investment account, we require certain personal information. It is your choice whether to provide this information or consent to our obtaining it from third parties. However, if you choose not to provide the necessary information or withdraw your consent, we will be unable to offer our services and will be required to close your account. If you have any questions, please speak to your Advisor, call 1-833-739-9426, or email privacy@designedsecurities.ca.
Your Access to Personal Information
You may request in writing to your Investment Advisor access to your personal information on record with DSL and information about DSL’s use and disclosure of that information. DSL will arrange to provide that information within a reasonable time frame. Please note that we may not be able to provide information about you from our records if it contains references to other persons, is subject to legal privilege, contains information proprietary to DSL, or cannot be disclosed for other legal reasons. Also, we do not maintain disclosure records for regular or routine actions.
Data Location
Your information may be stored in DSL offices, computer systems, or those of affiliates and third-party service providers. It may also be stored or processed in countries outside Canada, including the U.S., where different data protection laws apply. This could include sharing information with authorities if required by local laws. By using our services, you consent to this. Regardless of location, we ensure your information is protected and handled lawfully, with strict safeguards against theft, loss, or unauthorized access.
Protection of Your Personal Information
We have a comprehensive program to protect your personal information from loss, theft, unauthorized access, and misuse. Security measures include:
- Physical measures: Locked fireproof cabinets, restricted office access, and document shredding.
- Organizational measures: Limited access to files and data centers.
- Technological measures: Network security, encryption, strong authentication, and password protection.
- Employee training: Ongoing privacy and data security education.
Third-party providers are required to safeguard personal information and use it only for agreed-upon services. Access to your information is restricted to employees with a business need to know.
We continually consult information technology experts and report annually to our auditors on the control and testing measures implemented throughout the year.
You also play a role in protecting your information by safeguarding passwords and keeping personal details secure.
Retaining Your Personal Information
We retain your personal information for as long as reasonably necessary to provide you with the products or services you have requested and to meet legal and regulatory requirements. The length of time your personal information is retained may vary according to the product or service and the sensitivity and nature of the information. This period may extend beyond the termination of our relationship for as long as it is reasonably necessary for legal, business or other purposes. We may destroy, delete, erase or convert your personal information to an anonymous form if it is no longer required for the identified purposes.
Subject to legal and regulatory requirements, where you have withdrawn your consent or we no longer have a business relationship with you, you have the right to request that we cease disseminating your personal information or request that we de-index (de-link or anonymize) your personal information.
Our Employees and Agents
Every DSL employee or agent, as a condition of their relationship to DSL, takes responsibility for protecting client privacy, confidentiality, and security. This obligation remains in effect even after an employee or agent leaves DSL. Suppliers of services to DSL, such as data processing firms, are required to sign contracts obligating them to protect the privacy and confidentiality of personal information provided to them, to enable them to perform their function.
Additional Concerns?
Questions and concerns regarding personal information held by Designed or about its compliance with our Privacy Policy can be answered by Designed’s Privacy Officer. For further information, please call 1-833-739-9426 or email privacy@designedsecurities.ca.