Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Canada Trades Videos ("we," "us," or "our") is a Canadian business that produces short-form video content for clients operating in the HVAC and skilled trades industries. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard personal information in the course of operating our website at canadatradesvideos.ca and providing our video production services.

We are committed to handling personal information responsibly and in accordance with Canadian privacy law, including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and applicable Ontario law.

2. Who This Policy Applies To

This Privacy Policy applies to personal information we collect from:

• Visitors to our website;
• Individuals who subscribe to our newsletter or other marketing communications;
• Prospective and existing clients (typically business owners and decision-makers at HVAC and trades companies);
• Individuals who appear on camera in videos we produce, to the extent we handle their personal information; and
• Individuals who submit inquiries, story ideas, or other communications to us.

This Privacy Policy does not apply to personal information handled by our clients, by the social media platforms on which our clients publish videos (such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook), or by any third party whose website, service, or platform may be linked to from our website.

3. Geographic Scope

Our services are offered to clients and individuals located in Canada, excluding the Province of Quebec. We do not knowingly accept clients whose business is located in, or whose services are primarily directed to, the Province of Quebec. If you are a Quebec resident or represent a Quebec-based business, please do not submit personal information to us or apply for our services.

4. Personal Information We Collect

4.1 Information You Provide Directly

We collect personal information that you provide to us, which may include:

• Contact and identification information: name, business name, title/role, business address, email address, and telephone number;
• Commercial information: services you are interested in, details about your business, and correspondence with us;
• Payment information: billing information processed through our third-party payment processor (see Section 7);
• Content you submit: story ideas, video concepts, questions, feedback, and any other information you voluntarily provide; and
• Newsletter preferences: email address and any preferences you set.

4.2 Information About On-Camera Subjects

In the course of producing videos, we may receive or handle personal information about individuals who appear on camera, including our clients' personnel, tradespeople, and, where applicable, their customers. This may include names, voices, images/likenesses, job titles, statements made on camera, and other information captured in video footage.

Our clients are responsible for obtaining written consent (including a model/appearance release) from all individuals appearing on camera in videos we produce on their behalf. We rely on this client-obtained consent and do not independently verify it.

4.3 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect limited technical information necessary for the website to function, such as your IP address, device type, browser type, referring page, and actions taken on the website. We do not currently use cookies or third-party analytics (such as Google Analytics or Meta Pixel) on our website. If we introduce such tools in the future, we will update this Privacy Policy and, where applicable, obtain your consent before such tools collect information about you.

5. How We Use Personal Information

We use personal information for the following purposes:

• To provide, administer, and deliver our video production services;
• To process payments and manage recurring subscription billing;
• To communicate with prospective and existing clients, including onboarding, account management, and customer support;
• To send newsletters and other marketing communications to individuals who have consented to receive them;
• To create, edit, and deliver video content, which may include the use of artificial intelligence tools as described in Section 6;
• To operate, maintain, secure, and improve our website and services;
• To comply with legal and regulatory obligations, respond to lawful requests, and enforce our agreements; and
• For other purposes that we describe to you at the time of collection or for which you give consent.

6. Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

We use artificial intelligence (AI) tools as part of our video production workflow. These currently include:

• Claude (Anthropic PBC, United States) — used for script refinement, transcription, and editorial suggestions;
• Gemini (Google LLC, United States) — used for content research and editing assistance; and
• ChatGPT (OpenAI, LLC, United States) — used for scripting and creative assistance.

Our use of AI tools in editing does not involve automated decision-making about individuals that produces legal or similarly significant effects on them. All three providers are based in the United States; personal information processed through these tools may be subject to U.S. law (see Section 8).

Where a synthetic voice is modeled on a real person (including a client's own voice), we require written consent from that individual before producing synthetic audio of them. Clients are responsible for making any disclosures about AI-generated content required by the platforms on which they publish videos, and by applicable law.

7. Service Providers and Third-Party Disclosures

We share personal information with third-party service providers who perform functions on our behalf. Our current principal service providers include:

• Website hosting provider: hosting and delivery of our website (Canada and/or United States);
• Stripe, Inc.: payment processing (United States);
• Anthropic PBC: Claude AI assistant used in our production workflow (United States);
• Google LLC: Gemini AI assistant used in our production workflow (United States);
• OpenAI, LLC: ChatGPT used in our production workflow (United States).

We do not sell personal information.

8. Cross-Border Transfers

Some of our service providers process personal information outside of Canada, principally in the United States. When personal information is processed in another jurisdiction, it is subject to the laws of that jurisdiction, and government authorities in that jurisdiction may be able to access it in accordance with their local laws.

9. Retention

Our general retention periods are:

• Client account and billing records: for the duration of the client relationship and for seven (7) years after termination;
• Newsletter subscriber information: until you unsubscribe, and for up to twelve (12) months thereafter for records of consent;
• Website inquiry and correspondence records: up to twenty-four (24) months;
• Video footage and project files: retained only for as long as necessary to complete editing, uploading, and any requested revisions — after which project footage is deleted;
• Records of AI-generated content and consents: for the duration of the client relationship and for seven (7) years after termination.

10. Safeguards

We maintain administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information against unauthorized access, use, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These safeguards include access controls, encrypted transmission of sensitive data, secure cloud storage, and confidentiality obligations for our personnel and service providers. No method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure.

11. Your Rights

Subject to applicable law, you have the following rights with respect to your personal information:

• Access: You may request access to the personal information we hold about you.
• Correction: You may request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal information.
• Withdrawal of consent: You may withdraw your consent, subject to legal or contractual restrictions and reasonable notice.
• Unsubscribe: You may unsubscribe from our marketing communications at any time.

We will respond to your request within thirty (30) days.

12. Children

Our website and services are directed to adults operating in the HVAC and skilled trades industries. We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under the age of eighteen (18).

13. Contact and Privacy Officer

We have designated our Chief Executive Officer as our Privacy Officer. You can contact the Privacy Officer as follows:

14. Complaints

If you have a privacy concern that we have not resolved to your satisfaction, you may contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada at www.priv.gc.ca or 1-800-282-1376. Ontario residents may also contact the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario where applicable.

15. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy. If we make material changes, we will provide notice by posting a prominent notice on our website or by contacting you directly.