PRIVACY STATEMENT AND POLICY OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD COUNCIL OF ALBERTA
Overview
The provincial Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (the "Act") came into effect in January, 2004. The Act governs the use of personal information in Alberta. This provincial legislation is similar to the federal legislation known as the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, which also came into effect as of January 1, 2004. The protection of privacy is the underlying principle of both Acts: acknowledging that an individual's personal information belongs to him or her and that the individual has a right to privacy. The Acts also provide individuals with the right of greater access to their personal information.
Collection of Personal Information
In the course of conducting its activities, the Agriculture and Food Council of Alberta obtains information that is defined as "personal" under the Acts. Examples of "personal information" include basic contact information (name, address, telephone number, etc.) From time to time, additional personal information may be collected and recorded by Council. A complete list of what is defined as "personal information" is provided in the Acts.
The Acts provide you with the right of access to your personal information held by Council; and the right to request corrections to it if it is not accurate. You may contact the General Manager of Council during business hours to access and review this information.
Use of Personal Information
Keeping you informed of developments and progress in the agriculture and food industry is one of the goals of Council and one of the reasons Council collects your personal information. The following describes specific ways in which your personal information may be used by the Council: 1 The Council may forward you documents (various mail out materials, including newsletters) generated by the Council that are relevant and of interest to the agriculture and food industry in Alberta. 2 The Council is often provided information or surveys by various entities in the agricultural industry that it is asked, in turn, to forward to you. This is as a result of the Council's focus in the industry and its accompanying access to your contact information.
If you do not wish Council to use your information for these purposes, please advise Council immediately, by contacting Tom Marwick, Chief Executive Officer, directly at (780) 955-3714.
Historically, the Council has provided mailing lists to various entities/organizations in the agriculture and food industry of Alberta, including government agencies, so that information of interest or surveys may be sent directly to you by these entities. In compliance with the Acts, the Council will no longer provide your contact information to such entities without your specific consent to do so.
In general, under the Acts, your personal information is not to be provided to a third party without your consent unless public interest requires that the same be disclosed as a result of some risk of significant harm to the environment, or to the health or safety of the public. The Council will comply with these requirements.
Summary
It is one of Council's goals to use appropriate safeguards and security measures to ensure that your personal information is protected against unauthorized use or access. Access to your information is restricted to our personnel or our representatives. Further, our employees, contractors, committee and other members are bound to maintain confidentiality as detailed in Council's By-Laws and Policies.
Should you have any questions on our privacy policy, please do not hesitate to contact the Council Chief Executive Officer, Tom Marwick, directly.
