Privacy Policy

North Star Immigration Law Inc. (“North Star,” “we”) respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what personal information the North Star Immigration Toolbox (the “Toolbox”) collects, how we use it, who we share it with, and the choices you have. We handle personal information in accordance with Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).

This Privacy Policy applies to information collected through the Toolbox website and related services. If you are also a client of our law firm, information you share through the firm’s solicitor-client relationship is separately governed by our professional duties of confidentiality and the rules of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society.

1. Information we collect

• Account information. Your name, email, password (stored as a one-way hash), organization (if any), and any profile details you provide.
• Content you submit. Information you enter into the tools, for example, job descriptions, candidate facts, TEER assessments, document expiry dates, and any saved work.
• Usage information. How you use the Toolbox: pages visited, features used, timestamps, IP address, browser type, and similar technical data.
• Payment information (future). If we introduce paid features, we will use a third-party payment processor. We do not store full credit card details.
• Communications. Messages you send us through the site, by email, or through support channels.

2. How we use your information

• To provide, operate, and improve the Toolbox.
• To create and maintain your account.
• To save your work so you can return to it.
• To generate the outputs you request from the tools.
• To send you service notices, security alerts, and (with your consent) product updates.
• To respond to your questions and provide support.
• To detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and security incidents.
• To comply with our legal and regulatory obligations.

3. Consent

By creating an account and using the Toolbox and/or Tools, you consent to the collection and use of your information as described in this Policy. You may withdraw your consent at any time by closing your account and contacting our Privacy Officer (below), subject to legal and regulatory obligations that require us to retain certain records.

4. AI processing and service providers

Some tools send your input to artificial intelligence providers to generate outputs. These providers act as our service providers and are required by contract to handle data only for our purposes. We use providers that offer reasonable security practices and that, where possible, do not train their models on your data.

Categories of service providers we use include:

• Web and cloud hosting and storage providers;
• AI language model providers;
• Email and customer support tools;
• Privacy-respecting analytics; and
• Payment processors (when paid features launch).

You may request the current list of service providers from our Privacy Officer.

5. Storage and processing outside Canada

Some of our service providers may store or process information outside of Canada (including in the United States). When your information is outside Canada, it may be accessible to foreign governments and courts under their laws. We work only with providers that offer safeguards comparable to those required under Canadian law.

6. Sharing your information

We do not sell your personal information. We share information only:

• With service providers who help us run the Toolbox, under confidentiality and security obligations;
• If required by law, court order, or a lawful request from a public authority;
• To enforce our Terms of Use or protect our rights, property, or safety, or the rights, property, or safety of our users; or
• With your consent or at your direction.

7. Retention

We keep your information while your account is active and for a reasonable period afterward to meet our legal, accounting, and regulatory obligations. You may request deletion of your account and content at any time, subject to those obligations.

8. Security

We use industry-standard administrative, technical, and physical safeguards, including encryption in transit, encrypted storage, access controls, and regular security reviews. No system is perfectly secure, however, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Your rights

Under PIPEDA, you have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you;
• Ask us to correct information that is inaccurate or incomplete;
• Withdraw consent (subject to legal obligations);
• Ask about our information-handling practices; and
• Make a complaint to our Privacy Officer or to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

To exercise these rights, contact our Privacy Officer (below). We aim to respond within 30 days, as required by PIPEDA.

10. Cookies and similar technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to keep you signed in, remember your preferences, and understand how the Toolbox is used. You can adjust cookie preferences in your browser. Disabling some cookies may affect how the Toolbox works.

11. Children

The Toolbox is intended for adults. We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under the age of majority. If you believe a minor has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will take appropriate steps.

12. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If changes are material, we will give you advance notice. Continued use of the Toolbox after the effective date means you accept the updated Policy.

13. Privacy contact

You may also contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada at priv.gc.ca.