Barrie Hydro provides electrical distribution services to customers within the City of Barrie, the Communities of Bradford West Gwillimbury, New Tecumseth, Penetanguishene and Thornton.  It also bills the water customers for the City of Barrie and Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury.

Barrie Hydro Distribution Inc. is committed to meeting or exceeding the privacy standards established by federal and provincial regulations and industry bodies, and complies with the requirements of the federal 'Protection of Personal Information and Electronic Documents Act'
(PIPEDA), effective January 1st, 2004.  This Policy also applies to Barrie Hydro Energy Services Inc. and Barrie Hydro Holdings Inc.  

This document explains Barrie Hydro's policies for collection, use and disclosure of personal information.

The Information We Collect

In order for Barrie Hydro to provide the services that it provides to it's customers it collects information by various methods including information that is actively provided by its customers, and information arising from customer utility use.  The City of Barrie and the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury also provide information necessary to bill their water customers.

The types of personal information we collect include name, service location, contact information, identification information, utility use details, financial/credit information, and special needs information.  We may record calls to our employees for purposes of accuracy, performance reviews and training.

Providing personal information is the customer's choice. However, Barrie Hydro may not be able to provide customers with certain services if adequate information is not provided.

How We Use This Information

This information is used for the distribution of electricity to our customers including customer service, communications, accounting, billing, collections, services and repairs.  For water use, the information is used to bill on behalf of the City of Barrie and the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury.

Barrie Hydro may use aggregate or anonymous information that will not be linked to identified individuals for various other uses for itself and third parties.

How We Share This Information

Barrie Hydro does not share personal information with third parties except as disclosed in this policy.  Barrie Hydro may provide personal information to Barrie Hydro's consultants, subcontractors and professional advisers (which shall be bound by privacy obligations) to assist Barrie Hydro's uses disclosed herein.  Barrie Hydro will also provide personal information to other parties involved in the electrical generation, transmission and distribution industry to the extent required to service customers or as required by law.  If we disconnect service to a customer who is a tenant or a landlord, we may advise the customer's landlord or tenant, as the case may be, that the disconnection has or is about to occur.

Security

Personal information is stored in a combination of paper and electronic files.  They are protected by security measures appropriate to the nature of the information.

Accessing Information

Individuals have the right to access the personal information kept in their file. An individual has the right to verify or correct the information, if it is shown to be inaccurate.  If a customer would like to view the personal information held in their file, they should make a written request to Barrie Hydro's Privacy Officer.  Barrie Hydro will respond to any request as efficiently as possible.

General

Barrie Hydro may amend this policy from time to time.  If such amendments affect how Barrie Hydro uses or discloses personal information already held by Barrie Hydro in a material way, Barrie Hydro will obtain consent.  Notwithstanding the general terms of this policy, the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information may be made outside of the terms herein to the extent provided for any applicable privacy or other legislation in effect from time to time.

Barrie Hydro may disclose personal information to another entity purchasing the assets of Barrie Hydro, provided that entity abides by this or a similar privacy policy.