Trish McCourt Consulting
Effective Date: April 14, 2026 Last Updated: April 14, 2026
1. INTRODUCTION
Trish McCourt Consulting (“we,” “us,” “our,” or “the Consultant”) is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of personal information collected from our clients, website visitors, and other individuals.
This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, how we use it, how we protect it, and your rights regarding your information.
By engaging our consulting services or using our website, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information as described in this Privacy Policy.
This Privacy Policy complies with:
- Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)
- Nova Scotia’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPOP)
- Other applicable provincial privacy legislation
2. WHAT PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT
Information You Provide Directly
When you engage our consulting services:
- Contact information (name, email, phone, mailing address)
- Job title and organization name
- Professional background relevant to the engagement
- Information provided in intake forms and discovery calls
- Organizational documents and materials you share
- Financial information necessary for consulting services
- Board, governance, and program documents
- Payment information (billing address, payment method)
Note: We do not collect or store credit card information. Payments are processed through e-transfer, direct deposit, or cheque.
Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our website:
- IP address, browser type, device type, operating system
- Pages visited and time spent on site
- Referring website
- Date and time of visit
Cookies: We use cookies to improve website functionality. You can control cookie settings through your browser.
Analytics: We use Google Analytics to understand website traffic. Analytics data is anonymized and aggregated.
Information from Third Parties
We may receive information from:
- Professional contacts who refer you to our services
- Publicly available information about your organization
- LinkedIn or other professional networking platforms
3. HOW WE USE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION
We use your personal information to:
Provide Consulting Services:
- Conduct discovery calls and needs assessments
- Develop proposals and consulting agreements
- Deliver consulting services and create deliverables
- Facilitate meetings and strategy sessions
- Provide ongoing support and communication
Administer Our Business:
- Invoice for services and process payments
- Maintain financial records and tax reporting
- Comply with legal obligations
- Maintain client files and engagement records
Improve Our Services:
- Gather feedback on consulting services
- Analyze engagement outcomes
- Develop new service offerings
Communicate with You:
- Send engagement updates and progress reports
- Share relevant resources and tools
- Send marketing communications (with your consent—you can opt out anytime)
4. HOW WE SHARE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information.
We may share your information in these limited circumstances:
With Your Consent:
- Sharing case studies or testimonials (anonymized or named, as you specify)
- Making referrals to other service providers at your request
With Service Providers:
- Website hosting, email services (Google Workspace), project management (ClickUp), video conferencing (Google Meet, Zoom), cloud storage (Google Drive), analytics (Google Analytics)
- Accountants, legal advisors, insurance providers
All service providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for specified purposes.
For Legal Reasons:
- To comply with legal obligations (court orders, tax reporting)
- To protect our legal rights
- To prevent fraud or illegal activity
Anonymized Information:
- We may share anonymized or aggregated information that cannot identify you for industry insights, research, or thought leadership content
5. HOW WE PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION
We implement appropriate technical, administrative, and physical safeguards:
Technical Safeguards:
- Website uses SSL/TLS encryption (HTTPS)
- Password-protected systems and devices
- Multi-factor authentication where available
- Secure cloud storage with enterprise-grade security
Administrative Safeguards:
- Only the Consultant has access to client information
- Confidentiality agreements with all service providers
- Regular review of privacy and security practices
Physical Safeguards:
- Locked filing cabinets for physical documents
- Secure disposal of documents (shredding)
- Password-protected and encrypted devices
While we implement robust security measures, no system is 100% secure. If you become aware of any security breach, please contact us immediately.
6. FREE TOOLS AND SELF-ASSESSMENTS
From time to time, we offer free digital tools, self-assessments, or guides on our website. If you use one of these, we collect your responses, along with any contact information you choose to provide, such as an email address to receive your results. You are never required to give your name or your organization’s name to use these tools.
We use this information only to provide your results and, if you choose to book a call, to prepare for that conversation. We do not use your individual responses for marketing, research, or any other purpose unless you separately agree to it.
Some tools may ask about sensitive circumstances specific to your organization. Your answers are always kept confidential. We never publish, share, or use them in case studies or marketing without your clear, separate consent.
Responses are retained for 2 years from your last use of the tool, or until you ask us to delete them, whichever comes first.
7. HOW LONG WE RETAIN YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION
Active Client Files: Retained for 7 years after engagement completion (required for legal, tax, and professional liability purposes)
Prospective Client Information: Retained for 2 years after initial contact
Financial Records: Retained for 7 years as required by Canada Revenue Agency
Marketing Communications: Retained until you unsubscribe or request deletion
Website Analytics: Anonymized data retained indefinitely; identifiable data retained for 26 months
When retention periods expire, we securely delete or destroy your information.
8. YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS
Right to Access: Request confirmation of whether we hold your information and obtain a copy
Right to Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
Right to Deletion: Request deletion of your information (subject to legal and contractual obligations)
Right to Withdraw Consent: Opt out of marketing communications or withdraw consent for testimonials/case studies
Right to Complain: File a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (1-800-282-1376 or www.priv.gc.ca)
To exercise your rights: Email trish@trishmccourt.com with your request. We will respond within 30 days.
9. INTERNATIONAL DATA TRANSFERS
Our services are primarily provided within Canada. However, some service providers (e.g., cloud storage, email services) may store or process data on servers outside Canada, including in the United States.
When your information is transferred outside Canada, it is subject to the laws of that country and may be accessible to law enforcement and government authorities.
By using our services, you consent to the transfer of your information outside Canada for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy.
10. CHILDREN’S PRIVACY
Our services are not directed to individuals under 18. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 18. If we become aware that we have collected such information, we will delete it promptly.
11. THIRD-PARTY WEBSITES
Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.
12. CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make changes:
- We will update the “Last Updated” date
- We will notify active clients of material changes via email
- Continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance
13. CONTACT US
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy:
Patricia McCourt (Trish McCourt Consulting)
Email: trish@trishmccourt.com Website: https://trishmccourt.com
Privacy Officer: Patricia (Trish) McCourt, RSW
We will respond to your inquiry within 30 days.
14. CONSENT
By engaging our consulting services or using our website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to this Privacy Policy.
Trish McCourt Consulting Protecting your privacy. Building your capacity.
Last Updated: April 14, 2026