Our Privacy Statement

An Important Message About Protecting Your Privacy

Research Capital Corporation earns your trust by adhering to privacy principles in protecting your personal information. This notice is provided on behalf of Research Capital Corporation and Research's related service providers.

Definition of Personal Information

The term "personal information" refers to information that specifically identifies you as an individual and is provided to or collected by us. It includes, for example, your name and address, age and gender, personal information records, identification numbers, including your social insurance number (SIN) and your employment information.

For business clients, information includes the above data plus names of officers, directors, owners, shareholders, jurisdiction of incorporation, financial information and ownership structure.

Why Do We Ask for Your Personal Information

Research Capital may from time to time collect financial and other information about you. This information includes transaction-related details arising from your relationship with and through us. You authorise us to collect this information when you open an account with us, and during the course of our relationship. We may obtain this information from a variety of sources, including from you, from our records and from references you provide to us. Finally, we may also collect information from credit reporting agencies, other financial institutions or service providers.

Sharing Your Personal Information

We may use and your personal information with our employees, third party service providers and other financial institutions, but they will not share this information with others. The information may only be used for the following purposes:

• to verify your identity and conduct background verification
• to operate your account and provide you with products and services you may request
• to better understand your financial situation
• to set up, manage and offer products and services
• if you provide us your social insurance number, we may share it with government authorities for tax purposes. We may share it with credit reporting agencies to ensure the accurate matching of credit history files
• if you select to disclose or specifically direct us to disclose for you, your personal information to a third party (as in the case where you request a product, such as a mutual fund or a service from a third party, after receiving information or to securities issuers under National Instrument 54-101)
• to meet requirement of legal and securities regulatory authorities and self-regulatory organisations including Market Regulation Services Inc., the Investment Dealers Association of Canada, the Mutual Funds Dealers Association, and the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (Collectively, "SRO"). SRO's collect, use or disclose such personal information obtained from registrants for regulatory purposes, including:
  • Surveillance of trading-related activity
  • Sales, financial compliance, trade desk review and other regulatory audits,
  • Investigation of potential regulatory and statutory violations
  • Regulatory databases
  • Enforcement or disciplinary proceeding
  • Reporting to securities regulators

The only occasions we are permitted to disclose client information is when it is:

• Authorised by the client;
• Required or permitted by law;

Research Capital has summarised the ten principles, which have been built upon the values set by the Canadian Standards Association's Model Code for the Protection of Personal Information and Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).

Accountability

Research Capital is responsible for maintaining and protecting client information under its control.

Identifying Purposes

The purposes for which customer information is collected shall be identified before or at the time the information is collected.

Consent

The knowledge and consent of the customer are required for the collection, use or disclosure of Customer information except where required or permitted by law.

Limits to the Collection of Personal Information

Research will limit the amount and type of personal information collected to which is necessary for its purpose. Personal information will be collected by fair and lawful means.

Limits to the Use, Disclosure of Personal Information

Research will not use or disclose personal information for purposes other than those for which it was collected except with the consent of the individual or as required or permitted by law. Personal information will be retained only as long as necessary for the fulfillment of those purposes.

Accuracy

Research will keep personal information as accurate, complete and up-to-date as necessary for its purposes.

Safeguarding Customer Information

Customer information must be protected by security safeguards that are appropriate to the sensitivity level of the information. Every Research employee, as a condition of employment, takes responsibility for protecting customer privacy, confidentiality and security. This obligation remains in effect even after an employee leaves Research. Suppliers of services to Research, such as data processing firms, are required to sign contracts obligating them to protect the privacy and confidentiality of personal information provided to them, to enable them to perform their function. Appropriate controls are in place over computer systems and these controls are reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure compliance with our security and privacy policies.

Openness

Research will make available review its policies and procedures regarding management of personal information. Research will ensure individuals are reasonably able to acquire information regarding Research's policies and procedures and will make this information available in a form that is generally understandable.

Individual Access

Upon request in writing, client shall be informed of the existence, use and disclosure of their information and shall be given access to it. Clients may verify the accuracy and completeness of their information, and may request that it be amended if appropriate.

Handling Customer Complaints and Suggestions

Questions and concerns regarding personal information held by Research or about its compliance with the Research Privacy Code, can be answered by the Investment Advisors at the branch where you deal.