Privacy & Data Protection

When you're working with us on a project or just browsing around, here's what we might collect:

• Contact Details: Your name, email, phone number, and mailing address - basically the stuff we need to actually talk to you and send over project documents.
• Project Information: Site locations, property details, budget ranges, design preferences. All the good stuff that helps us understand what you're trying to build.
• Website Activity: IP addresses, browser types, pages you visit, how long you hang around. Standard web analytics that help us figure out if our site's actually working.
• Communication Records: Emails, phone calls, meeting notes - we keep track of our conversations so we don't have to keep asking you the same questions.
• Payment Info: When it's time to settle invoices, we'll need billing details. Though we use third-party processors for the heavy lifting on credit card stuff.

We're not in the business of hoarding data for no reason. Here's what we do with your information:

• Delivering architectural services - kinda the main point, right? Design work, permits, consultations, all that jazz.
• Keeping you in the loop about your project's progress, upcoming meetings, and important milestones.
• Processing payments and managing contracts - the less fun but necessary parts of business.
• Improving our services based on feedback and project outcomes. We're always trying to get better at what we do.
• Meeting legal obligations - permits, building codes, professional insurance requirements. You know, keeping everything above board.
• Occasionally sending project updates or news about sustainable design practices if you've said that's cool with you.

We're not selling your data to random marketers or anything sketchy like that. But sometimes we do need to share information with:

• Project Consultants: Structural engineers, environmental consultants, contractors - the team that makes buildings happen. They need relevant project details to do their jobs.
• Regulatory Bodies: Municipal planning departments, building permit offices. It's how we get your project approved and built legally.
• Professional Service Providers: Our lawyers, accountants, insurance carriers. They're bound by their own confidentiality rules.
• Technology Partners: Cloud storage providers, email services, project management platforms. We vet these folks to make sure they're taking security seriously.

If there's ever a situation where we need to share your info beyond these categories, we'll ask for your permission first unless it's legally required.

Yeah, we use cookies - and not the delicious kind. Our website uses these little data files to:

• Remember your preferences so you don't have to reset everything each visit
• Understand which parts of our site people actually care about
• Keep your session active when you're browsing around
• Measure how our marketing efforts are performing (if we're even doing any)

Most browsers let you control cookies through their settings. Just heads up that turning them off might make some parts of the site a bit wonky.

Under PIPEDA and provincial privacy laws, you've got some solid rights when it comes to your personal information:

• Access: You can ask to see what information we have about you. We'll show you within a reasonable timeframe.
• Correction: If something's wrong or outdated, let us know and we'll fix it. Accurate records help everyone.
• Withdrawal of Consent: Changed your mind about how we use your data? You can withdraw consent, though it might affect our ability to provide certain services.
• Deletion: Want us to delete your information? We can do that, except for stuff we're legally required to keep (like project records for professional liability purposes).
• Complaints: If you think we've mishandled your data, you can file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

To exercise any of these rights, just shoot us an email at info@emberatnova.info or give us a call. We'll get back to you promptly.

We take security pretty seriously around here. Some of the measures we've got in place:

• Encrypted data transmission and storage - basically scrambling information so it's useless if intercepted
• Regular security audits and software updates to patch any vulnerabilities
• Limited access controls - only team members who need specific info can access it
• Secure backup systems so we don't lose your project data if something goes wrong
• Staff training on data protection best practices (yes, we actually do this)

That said, no system is 100% bulletproof. We do our best, but can't guarantee absolute security. If there's ever a breach that affects your data, we'll let you know ASAP.

If you've got questions, concerns, or just want to chat about how we handle your data, we're here for it. Seriously - we'd rather answer your questions now than deal with confusion later.