1. Introduction and Scope
Willowbroom ("we", "us", or "our"), headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, is committed to transparency regarding the collection and processing of data. This Cookie Policy explains how we use cookies and similar tracking technologies when you visit our website dedicated to Canadian dividend investing and structural financial analysis.
As an entity operating within Quebec, we adhere to the Act respecting the protection of personal information in the private sector (commonly known as Law 25) and the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). This policy ensures that our digital infrastructure respects your right to informational self-determination.
2. What are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files containing a string of characters that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. They allow the site to recognize your browser upon return, store user preferences, and provide analytical insights into user behavior. In the context of our financial education platform, cookies help us understand which dividend sectors (e.g., TSX Bank Sector or REITs) are of most interest to our readers.
3. Legal Basis for Processing
Under Quebec's Law 25, the default setting for non-essential cookies must be "off." We process "Strictly Necessary" cookies based on our legitimate interest in providing a functional website. For all other types of cookies (Analytical, Functional, and Marketing), we require your explicit, informed, and granular consent.
4. Categories of Cookies We Use
A. Strictly Necessary Cookies
These are essential for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences or logging into secure areas of the portfolio framework.
- Session ID: Maintains user state across page requests. (Duration: Session)
- Security: Prevents Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF). (Duration: Session)
B. Analytical and Performance Cookies
These allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us know which pages are the most and least popular, such as our analysis on the "Big Five Bank Integration."
| Provider | Purpose | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|
| Google Analytics | Aggregated visitor metrics | 2 years |
| Hotjar | Heatmapping and UX flow | 365 days |
C. Marketing and Targeting Cookies
These may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests (e.g., Energy Midstream) and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information but are based on uniquely identifying your browser.
- Meta Pixel: Tracks conversions from social media campaigns. (Duration: 90 days)
- LinkedIn Insight: Professional demographic targeting. (Duration: 180 days)
5. Third-Party Cookies
In some special cases, we also use cookies provided by trusted third parties. Our site uses Google Analytics which is one of the most widespread and trusted analytics solutions on the web for helping us to understand how you use the site and ways that we can improve your experience. These cookies may track things such as how long you spend on the site and the pages that you visit so we can continue to produce engaging content on "Tax Integration: TFSA and RRSP Geometry."
6. Managing Your Preferences
You have the right to decide whether to accept or reject cookies. You can exercise your cookie rights by setting your preferences in the Cookie Consent Manager. The Cookie Consent Manager allows you to select which categories of cookies you accept or reject. Essential cookies cannot be rejected as they are strictly necessary to provide you with services.
You can also set or amend your web browser controls to accept or refuse cookies. If you choose to reject cookies, you may still use our website though your access to some functionality and areas of our website may be restricted.
7. Cross-Border Data Transfers
As Willowbroom utilizes global service providers (such as hosting and analytics companies), the data collected via cookies may be transferred to and processed in countries outside of Canada, including the United States. We ensure that such transfers comply with Quebec's Law 25 requirements for "comparable protection" through the use of standard contractual clauses and rigorous vendor assessments.
8. Contact and Operator Information
If you have any questions about our use of cookies or other technologies, please contact our Privacy Officer at Willowbroom:
Willowbroom Legal & Compliance
Address: 1250 René-Lévesque Blvd W, Montreal
Email:
Phone: +1 (372) 431-5231