Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

The Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia (LISNS) is a not-for-profit organization that provides Nova Scotians with information and resources about the law.

Privacy and sensitivity of personal information is important to the LISNS. We are committed to collecting, using and disclosing personal information responsibly and only to the extent necessary for the services we provide. To ensure this accountability, we have developed this policy and trained our staff about our policies and practices, in accordance with applicable privacy laws, including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act in so far as it relates to our activities as a not-for-profit organization.

Personal Information

Personal information is any information that can be used to distinguish, identify or contact a specific individual. Personal information does not include job title, telephone number, address or other information that appears on a business card or information that is publicly available such as information in a telephone book.

Collection of Personal Information

The LISNS collects different kinds of information which may include personal information in the courseof providing its various programs and managing the organization. Some of the information we collect is used to assist us in evaluating our current programs or to develop new programs to meet the needs of thepublic who use these programs. The type of information collected is set out in page two of this document.

Most of the information we collect from program users is statistical non-identifying information, not personal.

Protecting Personal Information

We understand the importance of protecting the confidentiality of personal information. The steps we take to ensure confidentiality are:

  • We do not sell, trade, lease or barter any of the information collected without prior consent of the individual.
  • Paper information, disks and CDs are either under supervision or in a locked or restricted area in our office.
  • Electronic hardware is either under supervision or secured in a locked or restricted area at all times. Passwords are used.
  • Included on our website is the fact the site is not secure.
  • Staff and volunteers must sign a confidentiality agreement related to caller information they may receive at LISNS.

Retention and Destruction of Personal Information

The steps we take with respect to retention and destruction of personal information are:

  • Financial information such as invoicing and VISA and MasterCard numbers are maintained for at least seven years.
  • All files are kept for at least seven years. After that time they may be destoyed/shredded.

Program/activity Type of information collected

Legal Information Line

 Non-identifying.

We do not have caller ID on the Legal Information Line. Names and addresses are collected only from callers who request
information be mailed to them.

Once a year, for one week, we ask callers to participate in a more
in-depth survey. If they agree, we collect information about
family income range, age range and first language. We do not
ask for names of the callers.

E-mails

 When we receive e-mails we have the sender’s e-mail address.
Sometimes the e-mailer will provide identifying information of
their own volition such as a mailing address, name, phone or fax
number.

Lawyer Referral Service

 Lawyers who register with the Service complete a registration
form that includes their name and business address and contact
information long with their practice areas. We only record
information on a caller where there is a concern that he/she may
be abusing the system by receiving more than two referrals for
the same matter.

Publications

 We collect names and addresses of those requesting written
materials be sent by mail. We also keep a record of the sector
they represent for example, government, court, individual, etc.
Where there is a need to generate an invoice for materials or to
issue a receipt that information is stored on computer.

Dial-a-Law

 No data collected or maintained on individuals who access the
service. We do collect data on the recorded information
accessed.

Donors

 Information collected and maintained includes name, address
(usually firm, but occasionally home), e-mail address, history of
giving, and other relevant material such as their preference for
how and when they wish to be contacted or acknowledged (if
they have indicated such a preference).

Visa

 Two staff members are authorized to take VISA
information. The information maintained includes the name of
the payer, the card number and expiry date. It forms part of our
accounting records.

Volunteers

 We maintain names and addresses and other contact
information for Board members and other volunteers. If the
volunteer provides a resume, we keep that on file also. The
Human Resources committee reviews information. We are
required by the Canada Revenue Agency to provide information
on the Board of Directors including date of birth when
submitting the annual Charities Return.

Names, addresses, phone, fax, e-mail of Board members
is shared with other members of the Board and funders.

Staff

 Personal information is maintained on staff including home
address, next of kin, home phone number and email address,
resume, SIN number and information related to their history of
employment.


Access

Upon written request sent to the LISNS Privacy Officer at the address below, we will inform the
individual of the existence (if any), use and disclosure of his or her personal information, and we will give the individual access to that information. The information will be provided within a reasonable time frame, generally within 30 days of receipt of the written request.

An individual can challenge the accuracy and completeness of his or her personal information and have it amended as appropriate.

Our Privacy Officer is: Wendy Turner
Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia
5523B Young Street, Halifax, NS, B3K 1Z7
Fax: 902-455-3105

The Privacy Officer will attempt to answer any questions or concerns you might have with respect to our Privacy Policy.

For more information on privacy issues visit the Privacy Commissioner of Canada’s website:
www.privcom.gc.ca

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