Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy describes how Peterson Group Properties (Canada) Inc., Peterson Marketing Inc., Peterson Commercial Property Management Group Inc., and their respective parents, subsidiaries, and affiliated entities (collectively referred to in this Privacy Policy as “Peterson,” “we,” or “us”) collect, use, disclose, retain and protect Personal Information (as defined below). It applies to individuals (collectively referred to as “Users”, “you”) who interact with us in person, on our websites, mobile applications, services and platforms (collectively, the ”Services”).

Protecting Personal Information provided to us by you and using, disclosing, and retaining it in accordance with applicable privacy legislation is a key value of Peterson.

This Privacy Policy does not apply to personal information Peterson collects from its employees and personnel in the context of their employment.

By using our Services or otherwise providing us with your personal information, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy. If you do not consent, you must not use our Services.

SECTION 1. Definition of Personal Information. 

When used in this Privacy Policy, Personal Information means “any information about an identifiable individual”, as defined under applicable privacy legislation (e.g. British Columbia Personal Information Protection Act (“BCPIPA”) and the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (“PIPEDA”)).

This may include, but not limited to contact or demographic information, information relating to your communications with us or more technical information (such as users’ IP addresses, usernames), but only when this information can be used to identify you as an individual.

Personal Information may also include biometric identifiers (such as facial recognition, fingerprints, or retinal scans), if collected. We do not currently collect biometric identifiers, but if this changes, we will update this Privacy Policy and obtain explicit consent where required.

Personal data that is de-identified and/or aggregated and cannot be associated with an identifiable individual is not considered to be Personal Information.

SECTION 2. Personal Information we collect.

We collect personal information directly from you (e.g. when you visit our premises, interact with us through applications, contact forms), automatically (e.g. when you use our services, websites, mobile apps and/or Wi-Fi), or from third parties (e.g. service providers, credit bureaus or linked social media accounts).

The Personal Information we collect may include:

• Identifiers, such as your name, IP address and unique identifiers;
• Government issued identification including but not limited to social insurance number or social security number, driver’s license numbers or similar identifiers;
• Contact information, such as email address, home address, and phone numbers;
• Financial information, such as your bank account or payment card information;
• Credit information with express consent;
• Commercial information, such as purchasing or consuming histories or tendencies;
• Internet or other electronic network activity information, such as browsing history, your interaction with our websites and other information we may collect automatically when you interact with us online;
• Geolocation data;
• Professional or employment-related information;
• Surveillance images (where applicable);
• Insurance information; and
• Inferences drawn from any of the information listed above.

SECTION 3. Means of collecting Personal Information.

We usually collect personal information directly from you, with your consent, or otherwise as permitted or required by law.  We may also collect data automatically using the methods below:

• Video Surveillance.

As a security measure for our properties and in order to ensure the safety of our tenants, guests and visitors of our properties, we may use video surveillance at our properties.  Clear signage is posted. This collection is subject to applicable privacy laws and may be shared in limited circumstances, as detailed in “Section 5. Sharing of your Personal Information” below.

• Browser, Device and Technical Information.

When you visit our websites, or use our mobile apps, and/or Wi-Fi, we may use electronic means such as cookies and similar technologies, to collect technical information about your browser or device, and about your usage of such websites, mobile apps, IT systems and/or Wi-Fi. You can control or disable cookies through your browser settings. For information on how you can limit the type of information that we collect, use or share about you when you visit and/or use our websites, mobile apps or Wi-Fi, please refer to “Section 6.  Your consent and the right to withdraw consent”.

• Google Analytics.

We use Google Analytics which allows us to see information on users’ online activities including, but not limited to, page views, source and time spent on our websites and/or mobile apps.  This information is depersonalized.  You may opt-out of the use of Google Analytics by visiting the Google Analytics opt-out page.

• Google AdWords.

We may use Google AdWords remarketing to advertise Peterson across the Internet and to advertise on third party websites (including Google) to previous visitors to our websites.  These cookies do not identify you personally. If you do not wish to participate in our Google AdWords remarketing, you can opt out by visiting Google’s Ads Preferences Manager.

• Geolocation Information.

We may use anonymized device data and signal strength to determine approximate location within our properties to enhance Wi-Fi functionality and improve service, as further detailed in “Section 4. Use of Personal Information” below.

• Social Media.

If you sign into one of our websites, mobile apps or Wi-Fi using a social media account such as Facebook or Twitter, we will collect information that you have added in your registration profile from those accounts, and which is made available to us by default by Facebook or Twitter.

We may also collect personal information about you from your use of social media networks you participate in (“Social Media Channels”), although at all times, in compliance with applicable privacy laws.

You may also choose to participate in a third party app or feature (such as one of our Facebook or Twitter apps or a similar app or feature on a third party website) through which you allow us to collect (or the third party to share) information about you, (including personal information) such as details of your friends/connections, “likes”, comments you have shared, groups and location.

In addition, we may receive information about you (including your Personal Information) if other users of a third-party website give us access to their profiles and you are one of their friends/connections or information about you is otherwise accessible through your friends’/connections’ web page, profile page, or similar page on a Social Media Channel or other third-party website or interactive service.

We may supplement the information we collect about you directly with the information we receive from third parties in order to enhance our ability to serve you, to tailor our content to you and, with your consent, send you details of promotions and/or offers which we believe may be of interest to you, although at all times, in compliance with applicable privacy laws.

• Vehicle Information.

If you park in one of our properties, we may collect information about your vehicle for the purposes of managing our parking facilities, providing parking services to you, and enforcing our parking regulations.

• Cookieless Tracking Technologies

In addition to cookies, we may use cookieless tracking technologies to better understand how users interact with our websites and services. These technologies allow us to collect certain technical or usage information without storing files on your device.

Examples of cookieless tracking technologies include:

• Device fingerprinting (which collects technical characteristics of your device which enable personalized experiences across visits without storing identifying information on your device);
• Server-side tracking (track website interactions through secure server connections, providing insights while respecting browser privacy settings); and
• Identity Graphs (which connect your interactions across touchpoints to provide seamless service while maintaining your privacy preferences).

We may use these tools:

• To analyze site performance and user engagement;
• To improve functionality and troubleshoot issues;
• For fraud prevention and security; or
• For marketing insights, subject to your consent where required.

These technologies may collect data such as:

• Browser type and settings;
• Device type and operating system;
• Referring and exit pages;
• IP address or other network identifiers; or
• On-site behavior (such as clicks, scrolls, or time spent on pages).

We do not use cookieless tracking to identify you personally unless combined with other information you voluntarily provide or unless permitted or required by law.

You may opt out of behavioral tracking while accessing all core website functionality. Marketing communications and property recommendations may be less relevant without behavioral data. See “Section 6. Your consent and the right to withdraw consent” for more information.

• Third-Party Services and Integrations

We use a variety of third-party services to improve our website, understand user behavior, communicate with users, and enhance overall functionality. These integrations may collect, process, or store information about your interactions with our site or services.

• Biometric Data

We do not currently collect biometric identifiers (such as facial recognition, fingerprints, or retinal scans). If in the future such data is collected, we will provide notice, obtain explicit consent, and comply with all applicable privacy laws.

SECTION 4. Use of Personal Information.

We may use your personal information as follows:

• to establish, develop and preserve our business relationship with you;
• to provide you with the services we offer, including but not limited to:
• Real estate brokerage services and property recommendations; and
• Marketing communications and property alerts;

and ensure all related transactions are supported and implemented;

• to authenticate your identity and preserve your privacy;
• to ensure our records are accurate and to protect you and Peterson from error and fraud;
• for internal training and quality assurance purposes;
• to meet legal and contractual obligations;
• to deliver communications that may be of interest to you, with your prior consent;
• to enhance your property search experience through:
  • Behavioral Analytics: Website activity, property viewing patterns, and search preferences enable personalized property recommendations and market insights;
  • Identity Resolution: We connect your interactions across devices to provide consistent service and relevant communications;
  • Marketing Optimization: Engagement data helps us deliver timely property alerts and market updates tailored to your interests; and
  • Transaction Support: Personal and financial information facilitates property viewings, offer preparation, and closing coordination.
  • to generally enhance your customer experience with us.

We may also anonymize or aggregate data for research, analytics, or legal purposes.

SECTION 5. Sharing of your Personal Information.

Personal information about our users will not be sold or otherwise transferred to unaffiliated third parties without your approval.  However, we may share your personal information when authorized by law or as follows:

• Within Peterson.

The various entities within Peterson may share personal information with each other and use it for purposes described in this Privacy Policy.  This allows each Group entity to comply with applicable laws, regulations and requirements and ensures that your information is consistent, accurate and up-to-date.  In addition, this facilitated access to your information within Peterson which helps improve the quality and relevance of the services you receive and helps improve your interactions with us.

• With Service Providers.

We may hire service providers, which may include, as follows:

• RudderStack Inc. (USA) – Customer data platform providing analytics and marketing automation;
• VanCity Experts affiliated companies – Related real estate service providers sharing common ownership;
• MLS systems and real estate databases – Industry platforms enabling property search and transaction processing;
• internal audit, management, billing, website hosting or similar services; and
• international technology vendors such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, and HubSpot.

We provide them with a limited amount of information in order for them to provide the services required and we will ensure that they have entered into contractual arrangements that provide adequate protection of your personal information. For cross-border data transfer safeguards, see “Section 10. Personal Information outside of Canada”.

• Business Transactions.

We may share personal information with third parties in connection with business transactions.  In the event the transaction is not completed, we will require the other party not to use or share your personal information in any manner whatsoever and to completely delete such information.

• Legal and Regulatory Requirements.

From time to time, we may be compelled to share personal information in response to a legally valid request or enquiry (including as required by applicable Canadian and foreign laws applicable to us or our agents and service providers, and including lawful requirements to share personal information to government authorities in those countries).  In these circumstances, we will protect your interests by making reasonable efforts to ensure that orders or demands comply with the laws under which they were issued, that we share only the personal information that is legally required and nothing more.

• With your explicit consent.

Other than for purposes listed above, we may share personal information for other reasons we may describe to you from time to time or as permitted or required by law.

SECTION 6. Your consent and the right to withdraw consent.

We obtain your consent before collecting, using, or sharing your personal information, unless otherwise permitted or required by law.  However, you can withdraw your consent at any time, although this may limit the services we are able to provide you.

You can always limit the electronic communications that we send you.  To opt-out of commercial emails, simply click the link labeled “unsubscribe” or “opt-out” at the bottom of any commercial electronic communication we send you.  If you receive promotional text messages from us, you may opt-out by replying “STOP”.  Please note that even if you opt-out of promotional communications, we may still need to contact you with important information about services you have purchased from us.

When visiting or using our websites and/or mobile apps, you can, at any time, block the use of cookies by activating the settings in your browser.  The “Help” feature on most browsers will tell you how to prevent your browser from accepting new cookies, how to have the browser notify you when you receive a new cookie, or how to disable cookies altogether.  If you choose to not accept cookies, or subsequently block cookies, you may not be able to access all or a part of the content of our websites and/or mobile apps.

If you have any questions about your choices or if you need any assistance with opting-out, please contact us using the information detailed in “Section 16. How to contact us” below.

SECTION 7. Links to third-party sites.

Our websites may contain links or references to other websites or apps.  These are outside our control and this Privacy Policy does not apply to the privacy practices of that website or services, which may collect information from you.  We encourage you to read the privacy policy of other websites, apps, and services carefully.  We are not responsible for these third-party websites, apps, and services or their policies.

SECTION 8. Security of Personal Information.

The Internet is not 100% secure.  We cannot promise that your use of our websites, apps, or services will be completely safe.  We use appropriate physical, technical and administrative security measures to safeguard your personal information. These measures are appropriate to the sensitivity of the information we collect, and are designed to protect personal information from loss, theft, misuse, and unauthorized access, use, copying, sharing, modification, or destruction.  Any transmission of your data to our websites or apps is at your own risk.  We encourage you to use caution when using the Internet.

WE CANNOT GUARANTEE ABSOLUTE SECURITY.

SECTION 9. Retention of Personal Information.

We only retain your personal information as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, except where otherwise required or permitted by law.

In general:

• Leasing or tenancy-related information: Retained for up to 7 years after the end of the tenancy.
• Customer service records: Retained for up to 2 years following the last interaction.
• Marketing and promotional consent records: Typically retained for up to 2 years following the last interaction, unless consent is renewed or otherwise withdrawn earlier.
• Video surveillance footage: Typically retained for 30 to 90 days, unless needed longer for investigations or legal proceedings.

Once personal information is no longer required for these purposes, we securely destroy, delete, or anonymize it in accordance with our internal retention and destruction policies.

SECTION 10. Personal Information outside of Canada.

Personal information collected by us may be processed by service providers in the United States and in other jurisdictions, including RudderStack Inc. and other technology platforms. These providers operate under contractual agreements and, where applicable, Standard Contractual Clauses, ensuring privacy protection equivalent to Canadian standards. We and our service providers may process or store your personal information outside of Canada.  In that case, the personal information is subject to Canadian privacy laws and the law of the jurisdiction in which it is used or stored, including any law permitting or requiring disclosure of the information to the government, government agencies, courts and law enforcement in that jurisdiction. We will ensure contractual or legal safeguards are in place to protect it.

SECTION 11. Access and correction of Personal Information.

We will make reasonable efforts to ensure that any personal information is as accurate, complete and current as required for the purposes for which it was collected.  Under Canadian data protection legislation, you have the right to request access to and correction of your personal information. A request to correct personal information must be made in writing using the information in “Section 16. How to contact us” below and provide sufficient detail to identify the personal information and the correction being sought. We will respond to your request within 30 business days, as required by law.

In addition to the rights of access and correction, subject to applicable law you may also have the right to request: (i) deletion/erasure of your personal information; (ii) restriction of processing in certain circumstances; (iii) portability of personal information in a structured, commonly used format; and (iv) to object to certain types of processing, including direct marketing. While these rights may not be legally required under all Canadian laws, we will consider and respond to such requests in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

SECTION 12. Children.

We recognize the importance of safeguarding the privacy of children and encourage parents to regularly check and monitor their children’s use of online activities.  Our services (including our websites, mobile apps and/or Wi-Fi) are not intended for children under the age of thirteen (13).  We do not knowingly collect personal information from children without parental consent. If we learn we have collected such information, we will delete it.

SECTION 13. Use of Artificial Intelligence

We may use artificial intelligence (“AI”) technologies and advanced analytics made available by our service providers to enhance our services and operations. This may include using AI to analyze user interactions, tailor marketing campaigns, optimize real estate services, or improve customer experience.

Some of our AI tools involve profiling, which means using personal information to evaluate or predict aspects relating to an individual’s preferences, interests, or behavior. Profiling is used primarily to:

• Suggest services or listings that may be relevant to you;
• Provide tailored marketing content or offers; and
• Improve how our services are delivered and presented.

We do not use AI or profiling to make decisions that have legal or similarly significant effects on individuals without human involvement. Where AI is used in decision-making with significant effects, individuals retain the right to request human review. All profiling is subject to human oversight and is limited to personalization and service improvement.

We take reasonable steps to ensure our use of AI is aligned with our privacy commitments outlined in “Section 4. Use of Personal Information”, and that it:

• Is based on accurate and relevant data;
• Does not result in discriminatory or biased outcomes;
• Is subject to human oversight; and
• Respects your rights under applicable privacy laws.

If you have questions about how AI is used, or would like to limit certain types of personalization, please contact us using the information in “Section 16. How to contact us”.

SECTION 14. Governing law.

Those who choose to access our website and/or mobile apps from outside Canada do so on their own initiative and are responsible for compliance with local laws, if and to the extent local laws are applicable.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, and recognizing the global nature of the Internet, you shall comply with all local rules regarding online conduct and submission of acceptable materials.  This Privacy Policy is governed and interpreted pursuant to the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, without regard to principles of conflicts of law that would impose the law of another jurisdiction, and you agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located within the Province of British Columbia, Canada.

SECTION 15. Breach Notification.

In the event of a privacy breach that poses a real risk of significant harm to individuals, Peterson will notify affected individuals and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (or other relevant regulators) as required under applicable privacy laws. We will also document all breaches in accordance with our regulatory obligations.

SECTION 16. How to contact us.

We are responsible for the personal information under our control and is committed to protecting that information in accordance with applicable privacy laws. If you have questions, concerns or complaints regarding this Privacy Policy or the personal information that we have about you or that we may have shared to third parties, please contact:

By mail:

Peterson Marketing Inc., Attention: CASL Manager

1701-1166 Alberni Street, Vancouver, BC, V6E 3Z3

By phone: 604 688 4885

By e-mail: privacy@petersonbc.com

SECTION 17. Changes to Privacy Policy.

From time to time we may update this Privacy Policy.  Where changes are material, we will provide notice by posting an update on our website and, where appropriate, by email or other direct communication.  Please check our websites periodically for updates.  Your continued use of our websites, apps, and services means that you consent to the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information as set out in the updated Privacy Policy.