Privacy Policy

1. Purpose & Scope

The purpose of this Privacy Policy (the “Policy”) is to inform you of the personal information that Bircher Financial, and any of its parents, subsidiaries, and affiliates (collectively referred to as “Bircher Financial”, “we”, “our” or “us”) may collect from you when visiting or using the website located at bircherfinancial.com (the “Website”), and how we may use and/or disclose that information.

Bircher Financial is committed to acting as your dedicated financial steward. We manage your personal information in accordance with the Alberta Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), and any other applicable provincial and federal legislation.

By using the Website, you acknowledge and agree to the data practices described in this Policy, which may change at any time.

2. Collection and Use of Personal Information

Bircher Financial collects Personal Information to provide you with the seasoned expertise and tailored solutions you have requested. This includes information collected during the completion of inquiry forms, discovery documents, or meeting requests.

Personal Information collected may include:

  • Identifying Information: Name and contact details (home/work address, email, telephone number).
  • Verification Data: Date of birth, Social Insurance Number (SIN), or other identification documents required for fiduciary and regulatory compliance.
  • Integrated Wealth Data: Financial information including bank account details, annual income, net worth, real estate assets, and liabilities.
  • Family & Professional Context: Marital status, employment information, and details regarding your beneficiaries or next-generation family members.

Collectively, any identifiable information we collect about you is referred to as “Personal Information”.

3. Automatically Collected Information

To enhance modern efficiency and user experience, we automatically collect non-personally identifiable information from Website visitors:

  • Web browser, operating system, and IP address.
  • Date, time, and duration of visit.
  • Sections of the Website visited, content downloaded, and links clicked.
  • Referring URL and recently visited websites.

This data is used in aggregate form to understand Website activity and improve our digital interaction and modern service delivery. This information may be shared with web analytics providers, such as Google Analytics.

4. Cookies

Our Website uses “cookies” to track user activity and enhance your experience. Cookies enable our Website to save and retrieve information you enter to simplify processes. You can disable cookies through your browser settings, though doing so may impact the general usability of the Website and your access to user-friendly tools.

5. Purposes of Collecting Personal Information

As your trusted partner, we collect, use, and disclose only the Personal Information required to provide our integrated, fiduciary planning model. Bircher Financial may use Personal Information for:

  • Communication: Corresponding with you regarding Website use and service inquiries.
  • Fiduciary Stewardship: Verifying your identity, preventing fraud, and acting in your best interest.
  • Comprehensive Planning: Determining eligibility for integrated wealth strategies, including investments, tax, insurance, and estate planning.
  • Service Delivery: Managing accounts, paying returns, and providing responsive support.+1
  • Strategic Foresight: Sending information about Bircher Financial products, services, and educational frameworks.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Meeting legal and regulatory requirements.

6. Consent

By accessing the Website, you acknowledge this Policy and consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your Personal Information. We collect this data when you provide it to complete a transaction, contact us, or complete applications.

You provide implicit consent when the purpose for collecting the information would be considered obvious and reasonable (e.g., requesting a consultation). We may collect, use, or disclose Personal Information without your consent only as permitted or required by law, such as in emergencies or for debt collection and fraud protection.

You may notify us in writing at any time if you wish to withdraw consent. Please note that doing so may affect our ability to provide you with our comprehensive wealth management services.

7. Disclosure of Personal Information

We do not disclose, trade, or sell your Personal Information. Disclosure occurs only with your consent or as outlined below:

  • Professional Coordination: We may share information with third-party trustees, accountants, or lawyers when acting as your “financial quarterback” to ensure every piece of your strategy works in harmony.
  • Service Providers: We use trusted Canadian and foreign service providers (e.g., Google Cloud) for account administration and digital communication.
  • Legal and Compliance: Information may be provided in response to valid legal inquiries or warrants as required by Canadian or foreign laws.

Personal Information shared with third parties is subject to their own privacy practices, and Bircher Financial is not responsible for the use or misuse of data by such third parties.

8. Safekeeping Your Personal Information

Bircher Financial employs industry-standard physical, electronic, and organizational safeguards to protect against unauthorized access or theft. Our security measures include passwords, encryption, firewalls, and restricted employee access.

While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your Personal Information, we recognize that “perfect security” does not exist on the internet. We are committed to a disciplined approach to security but cannot guarantee absolute protection.

9. Retention, Access, and Correction

We retain Personal Information only as long as necessary to fulfill identified purposes or legal requirements. We make reasonable efforts to ensure your information is accurate and complete.

You have the right to access and correct Personal Information in our custody. Requests must be in writing and sufficiently detailed. We will endeavour to respond within 30 days.

10. Behavioural Marketing & Links

We may use remarketing services (such as Google AdWords or Meta) to serve ads based on your past visits to our Website. You can opt out of these services through your browser settings or via the Digital Advertising Alliance of Canada.

Our Website may contain links to external sites not operated by us. We advise you to review their privacy policies, as we assume no responsibility for their practices.

11. Questions & Complaints

For questions or complaints regarding this Policy, please contact the Bircher Financial Privacy Officer:

Mail: Suite 102, 138 18 Ave SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2G 5P9
Telephone: (403) 257-9030

Email: [email protected]

Concerns not resolved to your satisfaction may be directed to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for Alberta:

Mail: #410, 9925 – 109 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T5K 2J8
Telephone: (780) 422-6860

12. Changes to This Policy

Bircher Financial may update this Policy periodically. The version in effect at the time of collection governs our data practices. Please review this Policy periodically to ensure you are informed of our current standards.