GEMS - Privacy Policy

Our Commitment to Your Privacy

At GEMS, we value your business and respect your right to privacy. We want you to feel secure about any private information that you provide to us, and have therefore outlined our Privacy Policy below.

This Privacy Statement has been adopted by GEMS, in order to demonstrate our commitment to the protection of individual privacy. The following discloses the personal information collection, use and disclosure practices of GEMS.

For the purposes of this Statement, “personal information” means information that is personally identifiable to individuals. “Non-identifiable information” means information that cannot be associated with or traced back to specific individuals with any certainty.

How and when GEMS collects personal information

1.	GEMS collects personal information from individuals on a voluntary basis through surveys, work order forms, questionnaires and transaction documents both online and offline. The personal information includes contact information (for example, name, mailing address, e-mail address, telephone number), preference information and transaction-related information.

Use of personal information by GEMS

GEMS uses personal information that it collects for the following:

	To communicate with individuals
	To understand individual needs
	To promote and offer products, services and special offers that meet individual needs or that might be of interest to individuals based on information provided and approved by GEMS
	To provide individuals with products or services that are requested or that is part of GEMS’s ongoing service with it’s customers
	To conduct, process and complete transactions with GEMS' customer.

The information also enables us to develop and customize our products and services to better meet the needs and preferences of customers. GEMS may, from time to time, contact individuals by electronic format, regular mail or telephone for any of the purposes set out above.

Disclosure of personal information by GEMS

GEMS does not sell, rent or trade personal information that it collects. GEMS will not knowingly disclose personal information to any third parties except in the following circumstances:

	When GEMS has received consent to do so or under limited circumstances specifically described at such time as personal information is collected;
	When GEMS, in good faith, believes the law permits or requires such disclosure;
	To its agents, professional advisors, promotional and marketing agencies, and to any other Third Parties in order to complete transactions, to process data and to service customers. These Third Parties and their respective employees are only provided with such personal information as is necessary to perform the services for which they have been contracted and are restricted from using the personal information for any other purpose other than as described in paragraph 2 above.
	In the event of the sale of GEMS, personal information may be one of the transferred business assets.

Retention of personal information by GEMS

4.	At such time as personal information is no longer required for the purposes stated in this Privacy Statement or other statutory requirements, such personal information will be made anonymous or destroyed.

Web sites operated by third parties

5.	GEMS' web site may contain links to other web sites that may collect personal information. This Statement does not extend to the data collection, disclosure, use and retention practices of such third parties and GEMS does not assume any responsibility for the privacy practices, policies or actions of such third parties. Individuals should read the privacy policies of such third parties, and make an informed decision whether or not to visit such web sites and/or provide personal information to such third parties based upon their privacy practices and individual discretion.

Safeguarding personal information

6.	GEMS has taken measures to protect the security and confidentiality of personal information as are appropriate in the circumstances. Personal information is stored in confidential databases and at the GEMS offices. These sites have appropriate security measures in place to protect against the loss, misuse and alteration of personal information under the care and control of GEMS. Any information transmitted via the Internet, however, may be intercepted by third parties. GEMS does not assume any liability for interception, alteration or misuse of information transmitted over the Internet. GEMS’s employees are restricted from using and disclosing personal information collected by GEMS other than in accordance with this Statement.

Accessing personal information

7.	Individuals have the right to access, verify and correct or amend all of their personal information collected by GEMS. GEMS believes that it is imperative that personal information be as accurate, complete and up to date as is necessary for the purposes for which it is collected. Accordingly, to help GEMS keep personal information as current as possible, GEMS encourages individuals to amend inaccuracies and make corrections in their personal information collected by GEMS as often as necessary. To access verify and correct or amend personal information, please send an email to the Privacy Officer at GEMS at info@gemservicesinc.com or call 905.907.3077.

How to File a Complaint

To file a complaint with GEMS concerning the collection, use and/or disclosure of personal information, please send an email to the Privacy Officer at GEMS at info@gemservicesinc.comor call 905.907.3077.

All complaints will be investigated by the GEMS Privacy Officer as soon as is practical in the circumstances. Individuals will be notified of the outcome of the investigation of complaints clearly and promptly and will be notified of any relevant steps taken or to be taken as a result of a complaint.

The choice to provide personal information or to receive certain information and promotional materials

Individuals always have the choice whether or not they wish to supply GEMS with personal information. Individuals wishing to "opt out" of receiving certain informational and promotional materials from GEMS or who otherwise object to the collection, use and disclosure policies as provided under this Privacy Statement, are asked to contact the Privacy Officer at GEMS by email info@gemservicesinc.comor call 905.907.3077.

Opt-out opportunities are also provided in other circumstances such as in certain promotional mailings. Individuals are reminded that the decision to withhold personal information or to object to the use and/or disclosure of personal information as provided in this Privacy Statement or in any agreement between such individuals and GEMS, may, in certain instances, limit their ability to complete purchases of GEMS products and services and limit their ability to access or take advantage of certain promotions and features.

Your personal information is obtained and used only with your consent that may be expressed or implied depending on the circumstance.

Comments and questions

10.

Any comments or questions about this Statement, should be addressed to GEMS as follows:

By mail:
GEMS
Groundwater Environmental Management Services Inc.
9030 Leslie Street, Unit 208
Richmond Hill, ON, L4B 1G2
CANADA

By email:
info@gemservicesinc.com

By phone:
905.907.3077

Effective date of Statement

11.	This Statement has been adopted by GEMS as of January 1, 2007. Revisions to the Statement will be posted on www.gemservicesinc.com as soon as practical.