CONSUMER INFORMATION

PROTECTION STATEMENT

IMPORTANT! THIS CONSUMER INFORMATION PROTECTION STATEMENT (referred to as "CIPS") GOVERN YOUR CONSUMER INFORMATION PROTECTION WHILE USING THIS SITE AND SYSTEMS PROVIDED BY CANADIAN ASSOCIATION FOR FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT (CAFE) (FORMERLY KNOWING AS THE ONTARIO ASSOCIATION FOR NOT-FOR-PROFIT CREDIT COUNSELLING SERVICES ‘OACCS‘) and the CANADIAN ASsOCIATION FOR CREDIT COUNSELLING SERVICES (CACCS). BY ACCESSING THIS SITE, YOU ARE INDICATING YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND ACCEPTANCE OF THESE TERMS OF USE. IN ADDITION BY SUBSCRIBING TO ANY SERVICES, REGISTERING AND MAINTAINING DESIGNATIONS OR CERTIFICATIONS, ACCREDITATION OR OTHER ASSOCIATION AFFILIATION,OT LIMITED TO MEMBERSHIPS, SUBSCRIPTIONS, SPONSORSHIPS, EMPOWERMENT CAFE, AFCC LEARNING LAB, AFCC AUTHORS INDUSTRY NEWS, CAFE CONNECT and CAFE CERTIFIED COUNSELLOR-TO-CLIENT BUSINESS IN A BOX SOFTWARE SOLUTION (CREATOR/CREATOR PRO OR ORGANIZATION (which specific discussions for ENTERPRISE NEED) YOU ADHERE AND ACKNOWLEDGE COMPLIANCE WITH OUR CODE OF CONDUCT AND STANDARDS OF PRACTICE, MADE AVAILABLE BY LINK ABOVE UNDER CERTIFICATION. THESE CODE OF ETHICS, STANDARDS OF PRACTICE, TERMS OF USE AND OTHER SUCH PRIVACY DOCUMENTS AND GUIDES/INFORMATION ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE BY OUR COMPANY AT ANY TIME IN ITS DISCRETION. YOUR USE OF THIS SITE AFTER SUCH CHANGES ARE IMPLEMENTED CONSTITUTES YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE CHANGES. PLEASE CONSULT THIS WEBSITE PRIOR TO EVERY USE FOR ANY CHANGES. YOU MUST BE EIGHTEEN (18) YEARS OR OLDER TO ACCESS THIS WEB SITE. IF YOU ARE UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE, YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO ACCESS THIS WEB SITE WITHOUT THE DIRECT SUPERVISION OF A GUARDIAN PRESENT. 

To access this site or some of the resources it has to offer, you may be asked to provide certain registration details or other information.  It is a condition of your use of this site that all the information you provide on this site will be correct, current, and complete.  If CAFE believes the information you provide is not correct, current, or complete, or that certification status has been falsified, or there has been a violation of the CODE OF ETHICS or STANDARDS OF PRACTICE, we have the right to refuse you access to this site, designation or any of its resources, and to terminate or suspend your access at any time, without notice or refund where applicable.

1. Principles

CAFE’s commitment includes:

  • Transparency: Clear communication about data use.

  • Equity: Ensuring all Canadians can access ethical, human-first financial counselling.

  • Accountability: Conducting regular privacy audits.

2. Safeguards

  1. Physical Safeguards: Secure facilities and controlled access areas.

  2. Digital Safeguards: Encrypted platforms, password protections, and intrusion detection.

  3. Organizational Safeguards: Privacy training for all staff and volunteers.

3. Your Rights

As a consumer, you have the right to:

  • Human Decency

  • Access your personal information.

  • Request corrections to inaccuracies.

  • File complaints with CAFE or the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

4. Commitment to Continuous Improvement

CAFE reviews and updates its privacy practices regularly to reflect the evolving legal and technological landscape, ensuring ongoing leadership in support of consumer protection for all Canadians with the various parties and channels in which they operate provincially.