Privacy Statement

Canadian Hearing Services (CHS) respects your right to privacy, and it is important to us that your privacy is protected. CHS has a long-standing commitment to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of personal and personal health information of our clients, donors, and volunteers. As an essential part of quality programming and service, CHS commits to collecting, maintaining, disclosing, securing and destroying personal information in accordance with the applicable Federal and/or Provincial Privacy Legislations which include; Personal Health Information Act (PHIPA), Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (FIPPA), Personal Information and Electronics Documents Act (PIPEDA) and Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation.

What is Personal Information (PI)?

PI is information not publicly available that can be used to reasonably identify or contact you. This could include your social insurance or credit card number, name, employment background, cultural background etc. This does not include business contact information or information that is available publicly (i.e. public phone directory).

What is Personal Health Information (PHI)?

PHI is information that relates to your physical or mental health that can reasonably identify you. Examples include assessments, treatment or health care plans, family medical history, health insurance number, health services billing information, etc. 

CHS collects PI or PHI for the following purposes: 

  • Health care, service and program delivery
  • Communicate with other health care/service providers as required for treatment and service
  • Respond to a service or product inquiry (including online submission forms)
  • Quality improvement 
  • Public education
  • Statistical and other kinds of reporting obligations
  • Fundraising
  • Marketing, communication, and product sales (Opt-in)
  • Billing and payment processing (including OHIP, WSIB, private insurance companies and others)
  • For other purposes as permitted or required by law

CHS will limit the collection of PI and PHI to what is required to provide the service you have requested. CHS stores PI and PHI securely using password protection, firewalls, security software and encryption where available. Only authorized staff can access and use the information for the purpose it was collected. Where possible, CHS will obtain consent and identify the purpose of collection at the time of collection.  Exceptions may apply as permitted or required by law.

You Have the Right to:

  • Withhold or withdraw consent for collection, use and/or disclosure of personal or personal health information (not retroactive)
  • Request access and/or a copy of your personal health information (fees may apply)
  • Ask CHS to make corrections to inaccurate or incomplete health information 
  • Be informed if your health information has been lost, stolen or shared with someone without authorization
  • Make a complaint to CHS’s Chief Privacy Officer if you have privacy concerns

To opt-out of fundraising communications or CHS newsletters:

  • Click on the unsubscribe link, or 
  • Email giving@chs.ca, or
  • Call 1-866-518-0000, extension 4185.

All Other Privacy Inquiries and/or Complaints:

CHS’s Chief Privacy Officer (CPO), or delegate, handles all privacy inquiries and complaints. 
To make a privacy inquiry, complaint, request access to information, correction of information, withdraw or change consent directives please contact the CPO at: 

Chief Privacy Officer
Email: privacy@chs.ca
Phone: 1-866-518-0000, press 0 and ask for Chief Privacy Officer
TTY : 1-877-215-9530, press 0 and ask for Chief Privacy Officer

If you are not satisfied with CHS’ response to your privacy complaint you have the right to make a complaint to the corresponding Federal or Provincial Privacy organization.

Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario- for all PHI complaints
https://www.ipc.on.ca/privacy-individuals/filing-a-privacy-complaint/

Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada – for other PI complaints
https://www.priv.gc.ca/en/report-a-concern/file-a-formal-privacy-complaint/