HELP's Privacy Code
A key component of HELP’s privacy program is its statement of privacy principles and policies -- HELP’s Privacy Code -- which guide HELP’s operations and inform others of HELP’s practices. HELP has chosen to align its principles and policies with Schedule 1 of the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, 2004), with modifications related to the context within which HELP functions. The principles listed are also aligned with those of the Canadian Institute for Health Information, 2007 and with policies and principles of British Columbia’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and the offices of the province’s Chief Information Officer and the Information and Privacy Commissioner.
1. Accountability
An organization is responsible for personal information under its control and shall designate an individual or individuals who are accountable for the organization's compliance with the following principles.
2. Identifying Purposes
The purposes for which personal information is collected shall be identified by the organization at or before the time the information is collected.
3. Consent
The knowledge and consent of the individual are required for the collection, use or disclosure of personal information, except when inappropriate.
4. Limiting Collection
The collection of personal information shall be limited to that which is necessary for the purposes identified by the organization. Information shall be collected by fair and lawful means.
5. Limiting Use, Disclosure and Retention
Personal information shall not be used or disclosed for purposes other than those for which it was collected, except with the consent of the individual or as required by the law. Personal information shall be retained only as long as necessary for fulfillment of those purposes.
6. Accuracy
Personal information shall be as accurate, complete and up-to-date as is necessary for the purposes for which it is to be used.
7. Safeguards
Personal information shall be protected by security safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information.
8. Openness
An organization shall make readily available to individuals specific information about its policies and practices relating to the management of personal information.
9. Individual Access
Upon request, an individual shall be informed of the existence, use and disclosure of his or her personal information, if used at the individual level, and shall be given access to that information. An individual shall be able to challenge the accuracy and completeness of the information and have it amended as appropriate.
10. Challenging Compliance
An individual shall be able to address a challenge concerning compliance with the above principles to the designated individual or individuals for the organization's compliance.
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