Privacy Policy
Policy Category: Governance
Date of Approval: 31st, March, 2025
Last Date Modified: 24th, February, 2025
Policy Application: All National and Chapter Board Trustees, National and Chapter staff
Authorized Steward: Governance Committee
Final Approval: CPAWS Board of Trustees
Recommended Review: Every three years from the approval date
Background: CPAWS Mission and Operations
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (“CPAWS”, “we”, “us”, “our”) advocates for the effective, long-term protection of ecologically- and culturally-significant land, freshwater and ocean areas in Canada. Working in a way that respects the sovereignty and leadership of Indigenous nations, we achieve our mission through knowledge-based advocacy, and public education and engagement, underpinned by collaboration and partnership. To achieve its mission, CPAWS must rally individuals who share our goal to support and participate in public consultations and efforts to conserve our land and water. To successfully communicate with our supporter base, CPAWS requires a detailed database of individual supporters and donors. Knowing the interests of our supporters is vital so that we can communicate appropriately with each of them.
We want you to understand what information we collect, and how we use and share it. This Privacy Policy applies to our website at https://cpaws.org/ (“Website”) and any interactions with us by any means, including when you make a donation or support us by subscribing to our newsletter. We encourage you to read our Privacy Policy before sharing your personal information with us.
Personal Information
“Personal information” means any information which relates to a natural person and directly or indirectly allows that person to be identified.
Type of Personal Information Collected
Through our Website, CPAWS may collect first name, last name, email address, postal address, date of birth, deceased date, phone number, communications preferences, credit card or electronic funds transfer (EFT) information, IP addresses, and time and dates of connection. We collect credit cards or banking information that is entered in secure merchant tools and payment gateways to process donations. We track responses to particular alerts and appeals, as well as “open” rates of online newsletters. We may also collect information about donors’ interests and activities (e.g., political affiliation, conservation interests, event participation) that have been shared with us by mail, email, phone, or in person.
Purpose of Collection
Information about donors and donations is collected as required by the Canada Revenu Agency (CRA) regulations as well as to process donations and issue tax receipts. Information about individual supporters is collected so that CPAWS can mobilize them in support its mission (e.g., by signing petitions, letters, or appeals) and general administration purposes. Information related to open rates, IP addresses, or communication preferences is collected so we can continue to improve our communications and better inform recipients, and also to manage anti-fraud measures.
Our Websites use cookies for various purposes, as mentioned before. A cookie is an element of data that our Websites send to a user’s browser, which may then be stored on the user’s hard drive so that we can recognize the user’s computer or device when they return. You can manage your preferences regarding cookies directly in your browser, including by uninstalling or blocking certain cookies.
How Personal Information Is Stored
CPAWS retains personal information only as long is required to accomplish the purposes for which it was collected and to satisfy requirements under applicable law. CPAWS retains all digital personal information in a secure modern server in Canada, and physical personal information in secure storage spaces on premises.
Sharing Personal Information
CPAWS will share personal information with like-minded charities in an effort to expand our own reach to new audiences and with telemarketing firms to increase donor involvement. CPAWS will also share personal information with third party services providers providing us services such as professional advisors, website hosting, payment processing, marketing, and data storage. Finally, CPAWS may also share personal information where authorized or required by law.
Subject to applicable laws, donors who request that CPAWS not share their contact information with like-minded charities will have their wishes respected.
Cross-Border Transfers of Personal Information
Your information may be held at our offices, and those of authorized third-parties described above. Some of these third parties may be based or may share your information outside of your region. By submitting information to us, you consent to the communication of your information to, and the storage of that information, outside of your region. While such information is outside of your region of residence, it is subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is held, and may be subject to disclosure to the governments, courts or law enforcement, or regulatory agencies of such other jurisdictions pursuant to local laws.
However, our practices regarding your information will at all times continue to be governed by this Privacy Policy. Where applicable we comply with legal requirements providing adequate protection for the transfer of information to third countries.
If you would like more information about how we transfer your information, please contact us as set forth in the section below “Contact Us”.
Online Communications – Anti-spam Requirements
CPAWS abides by laws that relate to the control of spam and commercial electronic messages. We respect and immediately apply an individual’s request to stop receiving electronic messages from CPAWS.
Security
CPAWS implements physical, administrative, and technical safeguards designed to preserve the confidentiality, integrity, and security of information under our control. However, information transmitted on the Internet and/or stored on systems attached to the Internet is not 100% secure, and no security can provide absolute protection. As a result, we do not ensure, warrant, or guarantee the security or integrity of such information.
We take steps to ensure that only those who need access to your information to perform their duties have access to it.
Your Rights Regarding Your Personal Information
Subject to applicable laws, individuals may access or correct their personal information as well as revoke their consent to its use. Requests should be made in writing, with proof of identification, to our Privacy Officer whose contact details are found below.
Contact Us
To exercise your rights, or for any other inquiries or requests regarding CPAWS’ collection, use, retention, or disclosure of personal information, please contact our Privacy Officer:
Brad Clute
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society
National Office
600-100 Gloucester St., Ottawa, ON K2P 0A4
Tel: 1-800-333-9453
privacy@cpaws.org
Updates to this Privacy Policy
From time to time, we may update this Privacy Policy. Any changes will be effective when we post the revised Privacy Policy. This Privacy Policy was last updated as of the effective date listed at the top. Subject to applicable laws, we will notify you of any changes to this Privacy Policy.