Last updated: December 8, 2025.
By visiting doctorsofbc.ca you are accepting the practices described in this policy. Doctors of BC reserves the right to change this policy at any time.
The Doctors of BC Privacy Policy sets out the commitment of Doctors of BC to the responsible collection, use, disclosure, storage and disposition of personal information in accordance with the 10 principles of the British Columbia Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).
This Privacy Policy describes how Doctors of BC collects, uses, and protects the personal information of visitors to our website, and the personal information of our physician members and partners used in the course of fulfilling our mandate.
Doctors of BC recognizes its responsibility to protect personal information.
What personal information do we collect?
Personal information is any information about an identifiable individual, such as your name, address, and phone number, but can also include other information that identifies you.
We collect personal information that you supply when you make an inquiry, subscribe to our newsletters, complete an online registration form, post comments on the website, complete a survey, and submit any other online services offered by Doctors of BC.
In addition to this, we also collect personal information necessary to administer membership, programs, and services, including contact information, professional identifiers, billing or payment information, program eligibility information, and information related to the services you choose to access through Doctors of BC.
Our web server also automatically collects a limited amount of standard information essential to the operation, security and evaluation of doctorsofbc.ca. This information includes:
- the page from which you arrived;
- the date and time of your page request;
- the type and version of your browser;
- the IP address of your computer; and
- the content of cookies stored by doctorsofbc.ca on your computer.
Why do we collect personal information?
While providing communications, membership, policy, advocacy, business, and general information services including but not limited to, the member areas of our website, its accounts and personal settings and preferences, and its surveys and voting results, Doctors of BC may require your personal information to:
- provide you with relevant information based your interests;
- optimize your ability to utilize policy, advocacy, business, and general information services;
- provide requested services and/or information; and
- ensure you are informed of special events and information (including events, programs, member benefits, insurance options, and other services offered as part of your membership).
We also use personal information to administer membership, determine eligibility for programs or benefits, support billing or reimbursement processes, and communicate with members regarding services and organizational updates.
Optional Demographic (EDI) information
From time to time, Doctors of BC may invite members to provide optional demographic information (such as gender identity, racial or ethnic identity, disability status, or other self-identified characteristics). This information is collected solely to understand the diversity of our membership, support equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) goals, and assess representation within governance bodies. Participation is voluntary and members may decline to answer any or all questions.
Consent
Doctors of BC will only collect personal information for the purposes identified in this Privacy Policy or for any other purpose identified at the time of collection. You have the right to provide only the personal information reasonably necessary to provide the requested service.
We will obtain personal information only by lawful and fair means.
Personal information required to administer membership or services is collected on the basis of implied consent when you provide that information to us. Optional demographic EDI information is collected only with your express and voluntary consent and choosing not to provide this data will not affect your membership or access to services.
Limiting Use, Disclosure, and Retention
Doctors of BC will not use or disclose your personal information for purposes other than those for which it was collected, except with your informed consent or as required or authorized by law.
We will retain your personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this policy.
Optional demographic EDI information will be stored securely and used only in aggregated or de-identified form so individuals cannot be identified. Identifiable responses will be retained only as long as necessary for EDI analysis and then securely de-identified or aggregated.
Accuracy
Doctors of BC is responsible for ensuring that personal information under its control is accurate, complete and up to date for the purposes for which it is to be used.
Safeguards
Doctors of BC is responsible for ensuring that personal information under its control is protected by safeguards appropriate to sensitivity.
When logged into the member and non-member sections of the site, the information is protected by a 128-bit SSL encrypted connection. SSL is the industry standard security technology for establishing an encrypted link between our web server and your browser.
Our central server facility is in a physically secured location with access controls and fire-suppression systems.
Our operational server facility is in a physically secured location with access controls and fire-suppression systems.
Doctors of BC undergoes regular security assessments including outside penetration testing and social engineering audits. Security testing is also factored into our system migration and hardware update initiatives.
Optional demographic EDI information is stored in a secure, access-controlled environment and is used only for de-identified and aggregated reporting to protect confidentiality.
Openness
We will make our policies and practices relating to the management of personal information readily available to individuals.
Individual Access
Upon request, an individual will be informed of the existence, use and disclosure of his or her personal information, and will be given access to that information.
An individual may challenge the accuracy and completeness of the information and have it amended as appropriate.
Members may also withdraw consent for previously provided optional demographic EDI information, subject to legal and operational limitations.
Questions or concerns
For questions or concerns with the above Privacy Policy and/or direct inquiries or complaints, please contact our designated individual(s) accountable for compliance, our Privacy Officer, at privacy@doctorsofbc.ca or by calling +1 604 736 5551.
Links
To facilitate easy access to information, doctorsofbc.ca contains links to other websites. Doctors of BC is not responsible for the content or the privacy practices of other websites and encourages you to examine each website’s privacy policy.