Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Vertical Gardens Canada ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy and personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, use our services, or interact with us in any capacity.

This policy applies to all personal information collected by Vertical Gardens Canada through our website, consultation services, installations, and any other interactions with our company.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

We may collect the following types of personal information:

• Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, mailing address
• Property Information: Home address, property type, space dimensions for consultation purposes
• Service Preferences: Garden design preferences, plant selections, maintenance requirements
• Communication Records: Records of our communications with you, including emails, phone calls, and in-person consultations
• Payment Information: Billing address and payment method details (processed securely through third-party payment processors)

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain information:

• Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers
• Usage Information: Pages visited, time spent on pages, click patterns, referral sources
• Location Information: General geographic location based on IP address
• Cookies and Tracking Technologies: Information collected through cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

3.1 Service Delivery

• Providing vertical garden consultation, design, and installation services
• Scheduling and conducting in-home consultations
• Creating custom garden designs based on your space and preferences
• Processing orders and managing installations
• Providing ongoing maintenance and support services

3.2 Communication

• Responding to your inquiries and requests
• Sending appointment confirmations and service updates
• Providing customer support and technical assistance
• Sending newsletters and educational content (with your consent)

3.3 Business Operations

• Processing payments and managing billing
• Maintaining customer records and service history
• Improving our services and developing new offerings
• Conducting market research and customer satisfaction surveys

3.4 Legal and Security

• Complying with legal obligations and regulatory requirements
• Protecting against fraud, security breaches, and other illegal activities
• Enforcing our terms of service and other agreements

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

4.1 Service Providers

We may share your information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in:

• Payment processing and billing services
• Website hosting and technical support
• Email marketing and communication services
• Analytics and website optimization
• Professional services (legal, accounting, consulting)

These service providers are contractually bound to protect your information and use it only for the purposes we specify.

4.2 Business Transfers

If Vertical Gardens Canada is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your personal information may be transferred as part of the transaction. We will provide notice before your information is transferred and becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law or in response to:

• Court orders, subpoenas, or other legal processes
• Government or regulatory investigations
• Requests from law enforcement agencies
• Emergency situations involving immediate threats to safety

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information:

5.1 Technical Safeguards

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Secure servers and database protection
• Regular security assessments and updates
• Access controls and authentication systems

5.2 Organizational Safeguards

• Employee training on privacy and security practices
• Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
• Regular review and updating of security policies
• Incident response procedures for security breaches

While we strive to protect your information, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but are committed to maintaining reasonable safeguards.

6. Your Privacy Rights

As a Canadian resident, you have certain rights regarding your personal information:

6.1 Access and Correction

You have the right to:

• Access your personal information that we hold
• Request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete information
• Receive information about how your data is being used

6.2 Withdrawal of Consent

You may withdraw consent for:

• Marketing communications and newsletters
• Non-essential data processing activities
• Cookies and tracking technologies (through browser settings)

6.3 Data Portability and Deletion

You may request:

• A copy of your personal information in a portable format
• Deletion of your personal information (subject to legal requirements)
• Restriction of processing in certain circumstances

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information provided in Section 10.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

7.1 Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: Necessary for website functionality and security
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand website usage and performance
• Marketing Cookies: Used to deliver relevant advertisements and content
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences

7.2 Cookie Management

You can manage your cookie preferences through:

• Our cookie consent banner when you first visit our website
• Your browser settings to block or delete cookies
• Opt-out tools provided by advertising networks

Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality and your user experience.

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:

• Provide ongoing services and support
• Comply with legal and regulatory requirements
• Resolve disputes and enforce agreements
• Maintain business records for operational purposes

Specific retention periods include:

• Customer Records: 7 years after service completion
• Financial Records: 7 years for tax and accounting purposes
• Marketing Communications: Until you unsubscribe or 3 years of inactivity
• Website Analytics: 26 months from collection date

9. International Data Transfers

Your personal information may be processed and stored outside of Canada, including in the United States, where our service providers are located. When we transfer information internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place through:

• Contractual protections with service providers
• Compliance with applicable privacy frameworks
• Implementation of appropriate security measures

10. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your privacy rights, please contact us:

We will respond to your inquiry within 30 days of receipt.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or business operations. When we make changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Notify you of significant changes via email or website notice
• Provide a reasonable period for you to review the changes

Your continued use of our services after the effective date of changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Governing Law

This Privacy Policy is governed by the laws of Canada and the Province of Ontario. Any disputes arising from this policy will be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of Ontario, Canada.