legal & compliance

Privacy Policy

Effective Date: July 20, 2026

Governing Laws: British Columbia Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), Quebec Act Respecting the Protection of Personal Information in the Private Sector (Law 25), and PIPEDA.

Fairhaven Retreat Centre ("Fairhaven," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information with care, integrity, and transparency. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, store, transfer, and protect your personal data when you interact with our website or submit inquiry forms.

A. Information We Collect

We only collect personal information that is necessary to fulfill your requests and deliver our retreat services. This includes:

  • Contact & Reservation Request Information: Your name, email address, phone number, mailing address, preferred dates, and specific request details submitted via our Reservation Request, Group Events, or Contact forms.

  • Communication Preferences: Marketing opt-in preferences (which are left unchecked by default).

  • Technical & Usage Data: IP address, browser type, operating system, and pages visited (collected via cookies and analytics).

B. Purpose and Use of Personal Information

Your information is collected and used strictly for specific, legitimate operational purposes:

  • Responding to inquiries and processing retreat reservation requests.

  • Communicating with you regarding your upcoming stay, event details, or program availability.

  • Managing non-profit operations, safety, and administrative records.

  • Sending news or update communications only if you have explicitly opted in to receive them.

We never sell, rent, trade, or monetize your personal information.

C. Third-Party Service Providers & Data Transfers

To operate our website and manage communications, we share necessary data with trusted third-party service providers. These include:

  • Website Platform & Hosting: Squarespace (handles form transmissions and site hosting).

  • Communication Tools: Email service providers and secure cloud storage tools.

Notice Regarding Cross-Border Data Storage: Because our website and third-party service providers operate across Canada and international locations (including the United States), your personal data may be transferred, stored, or processed outside of British Columbia or Quebec. In such cases, your information remains protected under strict contractual safeguards, though it may be subject to the lawful access laws of those jurisdictions.

D. Data Retention and Destruction

We retain your personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected or to satisfy legal, tax, or administrative requirements.

  • Form submissions and reservation request records are securely retained for up to three (3) years following your last interaction or completed stay.

  • Once personal data is no longer required, it is permanently deleted, destroyed, or securely anonymized.

E. Your Privacy Rights

Regardless of your location in Canada, you hold the following rights regarding your personal information:

  1. Access: You may request confirmation of the data we hold about you and receive a copy.

  2. Correction: You may request that inaccurate or incomplete data be corrected.

  3. Deletion (Right to be Forgotten): You may request that we delete your personal information, subject to legal retention obligations.

  4. Data Portability: You have the right to receive your personal data in a structured, commonly used technological format.

  5. Withdrawal of Consent: You may withdraw your consent for data processing or unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact our designated Privacy Officer using the details below. We will respond to verified requests within 30 calendar days.

F. Privacy Officer Contact Details

In compliance with BC PIPA and Quebec Law 25, Fairhaven Retreat Centre has designated a Privacy Officer responsible for overseeing our privacy practices and managing data subject requests.

Privacy Officer: Sheldon Schmidt

Fairhaven Retreat Centre

Email: darren@fairhavencanada.com 

Address: 8191 Rogers Road, Vernon BC, V1B 3M8

Phone: [250) 260-1616


Terms of Use

By using this website, you agree to use it for lawful purposes only and in a way that does not infringe on the rights of, restrict, or inhibit the use and enjoyment of this site by any third party.

All content on this website, including text, images, and branding, is the property of, or licensed by, Fairhaven Retreat Centre unless otherwise stated and may not be reproduced without permission.

We strive to ensure that all information provided on this website is accurate and up to date; however, we do not guarantee completeness or accuracy at all times. Information may be updated or changed without notice.


Accessibility Statement

FFairhaven Retreat Centre is committed to making our website and services accessible to all people, including those with disabilities.

We aim to follow recognized accessibility best practices and continually improve the usability of our website for all visitors. If you experience any difficulty accessing content, navigating the site, or using any feature, please contact us and we will do our best to provide the information or support you need in an alternative format. We welcome feedback on how we can improve accessibility.


Cookie Policy

This website uses cookies and similar digital technologies to support essential functionality, improve user browsing experience, and gather general analytics on site performance.

  • Essential Cookies: Necessary for website navigation, security, and rendering forms properly.

  • Analytics Cookies: Provided via Squarespace to gather aggregate, non-identifying metrics (such as browser type, time spent on site, and referral links) to help us improve our website.

Managing Your Cookie Preferences:

In compliance with privacy standards, non-essential tracking cookies require your explicit consent before firing. You can modify or withdraw your cookie consent at any time using our website's cookie settings banner, or by setting your browser to reject or delete cookies. Please note that disabling essential cookies may impact certain functionality on our site.


Disclaimer

The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as professional, legal, medical, or counselling advice.

While we strive to ensure accuracy, Fairhaven Retreat Centre does not accept responsibility for any loss, injury, or inconvenience resulting from reliance on information found on this website. Participation in retreats, counselling, or coaching services is voluntary, and individuals are responsible for their own decisions regarding their care and wellbeing.


Ethics

Fairhaven Retreat Centre is committed to operating with integrity, respect, and care for all guests, staff, volunteers, and partners.

We seek to create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment where individuals can experience rest and renewal without coercion, pressure, or discrimination. We value dignity, confidentiality, and informed choice in all aspects of our work. We are committed to ethical financial practices, responsible stewardship of resources, and transparency in our operations as a non-profit organization and a member of the Canadian Council for Christian Charities.


Confidentiality

Fairhaven respects the privacy and dignity of every guest who comes to our property.

Information shared with staff in the context of booking, retreat participation, or general communication is treated with care and shared only as necessary for service delivery or safety purposes.

For counselling and coaching services, confidentiality is maintained by individual practitioners according to their professional and ethical standards. Counsellors operate independently and are responsible for their own confidentiality policies, which are governed by their respective professional associations and regulatory bodies. Fairhaven staff do not access or disclose counselling content shared between guests and external practitioners.