Confidentiality is of the utmost importance to us
As part of our focus on relationships, we strive to treat people in a caring manner. We are committed to keeping our Associates' personal information confidential and to treating it respectfully. We value your privacy.

That's why Equinox Financial Group has swiftly addressed new federal legislation to strengthen our privacy practices, to further protect you and ourselves. The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) goes into effect for Equinox on January 1, 2004, and we want you to be aware of its effect on our relationships.

At both the federal and provincial levels, we've adopted the highest standards to keep your personal information safe. Even though there may be some differences from province to province, we believe that treating everyone's personal information with the same level of care will help us to enhance our service.

• We want you to know that we use your personal information to serve you better. The more we know about you, the better we can answer your questions and provide you with service.

At Equinox, we've taken steps throughout our company to ensure that our employees and our business partners are fully aware of the high value we place on your trust. We believe it is our duty to be worthy of your confidence.

Protecting your privacy

We value your privacy. That's why we've created the following policy to protect it. We strongly believe in and adhere to this policy, in its strictest sense, on the Internet and in every aspect of our relationship with you. Please take a moment to read through it for your peace of mind.

In order to service our Marketing Centres and Associates, we require certain information about individual Associates and Marketing Centre owners and Managing Partners. In recognition of the sensitive nature of such information, Equinox adheres to strict rules governing the protection of the confidential information.

1.	SCOPE & PURPOSE: This Policy applies to the collection, verification, possession, protection, use and disclosure of personal information acquired by Equinox.
2.	DEFINITIONS: "Personal Information" means information about an identifiable individual, but does not include the name, title or business address or telephone number of an employee of an organization.
3.	CONSENT: The knowledge and consent of the individual are required for the collection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, except where inappropriate. Consent may be expressed or implied, but express consent is required forsituations in which the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act ("PIPEDA") requires consent to be express.
4.	COLLECTION LIMITATION: Only fair and lawful means will be used to collect personal information. To the extent appropriate:
	a)	such personal information will be obtained from the individual, and
	b)	prior to collecting such information from any other source, the authorization of the individual concerned will be obtained.
5.	DATA QUALITY: The collection of personal information shall be limited to that which is necessary for the purposes identified by Equinox. Personal information shall be as accurate, complete and up-to-date as is necessary for the purposes for which it is to be used.
6.	PURPOSE SPECIFICATION: The purpose(s) for which personal information is collected from an individual will be specified on or before the collection of information, and any change of purpose will be communicated to the individual and a new consent obtained.
7.	USE AND DISCLOSURE: Personal information will not be disclosed or used for purposes other than those for which it is collected, except with the consent of the individual and except in accordance with the exceptions specified in PIPEDA.
8.	INDIVIDUAL ACCESS TO INFORMATION: Equinox has a policy of openness about its practices and policies with respect to the use and protection of personal information. In particular:
	a)	Upon request and appropriate identification satisfactory to Equinox, an individual will be informed of the existence, use and disclosure of his or her personal information and will be given access to that information. Equinox may charge a reasonable administration fee to supply the information only if it informs the individual of the approximate cost and the individual has advised Equinox that the request is not being withdrawn. Equinox may not give an individual access to personal information if doing so would likely reveal personal information about a third party unless the information about that third party is severable. Equinox may refuse access to personal information if:
		(i)	the information is protected by solicitor-client privilege;
		ii)	to do so would reveal confidential commercial information;
		(iii)	to do so could reasonably be expected to threaten the life or security of another individual;
		(iv)	the information was collected without the knowledge or consent of the individual and to do so would compromise the availability or accuracy of the information and the collection is reasonable for purposes related to investigating any breach of an agreement or contravention of the laws of Canada or province;
		(v)	the information was generated in the course of a formal dispute resolution process.
	b)	An individual may challenge the accuracy and completeness of the information and request that it be corrected.
9.	COMPLIANCE AND COMPLAINT RESOLUTION: To ensure compliance with this policy, Equinox will:
	a)	designate an individual(s) accountable for Equinox's compliance;
	b)	implement policies and practices to give effect to this policy. Individuals dissatisfied with Equinox's complaint resolution may contact the office of the insurance regulators in their province and/or the federal Privacy Commissioner.
10.	SECURITY SAFEGUARDS: Personal information will be considered confidential, and Equinox will establish security safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information to protect that confidentiality. Equinox will take the necessary measures to ensure all employees conform to this Privacy Policy. All agents, brokers, plan sponsors and other persons or organizations acting for or on behalf of Equinox will be required to comply with this Privacy Policy