Last updated: January 2026
1. Introduction
L’Institut nordique de recherche en environnement et en santé au travail (INREST) is committed to protecting the privacy and security of the personal data entrusted to its care. This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, share and protect your personal data, in accordance with applicable law, in particular the Act respecting the protection of personal data in the private sector (Act 25).
2. Identification of the data controller
Institut nordique de recherche en environnement et en santé au travail (INREST)
350 Rue Jolliet
Sept-Îles, QC G4R 2B2
Canada
Telephone: 418-968-4801 (ext. 5720)
Email: info@inrest.ca
3. What data we collect
We may collect the following types of personal data:
- Identifying information: last name, first name, professional title, position
- Contact information: email address, telephone number, professional or personal postal address
- Professional information: name of your company or organization, sector of activity
- Technical data: IP address, browser type, browsing data, cookies
- Other data: any other data you share when you communicate or interact with us
4. How we collect your data
We collect personal data in the following ways:
- Contact and registration forms on our website
- Communications by email or telephone
- Participation in our events, webinars and training sessions
- Membership to the Industrial-Port Centre of Expertise (CEIP)
- Service requests and project proposals
- Tracking technology on our website (cookies, web analytics)
5. How we use your data
Your personal data is collected and used for the following purposes:
- To respond to your requests for information or services
- To communicate with you about our activities, projects and services
- To manage memberships and partnerships (in particular for the CEIP)
- To organize and manage events, conferences and training sessions
- To send you our newsletter and other communications (with your consent)
- To improve our website and services
- To analyze how our website is used
- To uphold our legal and regulatory obligations
- To process donations and issue the relevant tax receipts
6. Data sharing
INREST does not sell, lease or trade your personal data. However, we may share your personal data in the following circumstances:
- With our institutional partners: only in the context of collaborative research and only with your consent.
- With our service providers: web hosting providers, email distribution services, web analytic tools (who are bound to protect your data).
- Legal obligations: where required by law or to protect our legal rights.
- With your consent: in any other circumstances with your express authorization.
7. Consent
When you use our website or share your personal data with us, you consent to us collecting, using and sharing your personal data as outlined in this privacy policy. You may withdraw your consent at any time by communicating with us, subject to legal or contractual limitations.
For some forms of communication (newsletter, notifications) we will ask for your express consent. You may unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in our emails.
8. Data retention
We retain your personal data for as long as is required to meet the needs for which it was collected, to uphold our legal obligations, to resolve disputes or to enforce agreements. The retention criteria include:
- The length of our relationship with you
- Applicable legal requirements
- The nature of the data collected
Once the retention period has expired, your data will be securely destroyed.
9. Security
INREST implements the appropriate administrative, technical and physical security measures to protect your personal data from loss, theft, unauthorized access, sharing, copying, use and modification. The measures include:
- Encrypting sensitive data
- Strict access controls
- Staff training on protecting personal data
- IT security protocols
However, no method of online transmission or electronic storage is completely secure. Although we do our utmost to protect your data, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.
10. Cookies
Our website uses cookies to improve user experience. Cookies are small text files saved to your device. We use:
- Essential cookies: required for the functioning of the website
- Analytics cookies: to analyze how people use the website (e.g. Google Analytics)
- Functional cookies: to remember your preferences
You can configure your browser to refuse cookies, but some of the website’s functionalities might not work properly.
11. Links to third-party websites
Our website may contain links to third-party websites. INREST is not responsible for the privacy practices of said sites. We encourage you to consult the privacy policy of any website you visit.
12. Your rights
In accordance with applicable laws, you have the following rights:
- Right of access: obtain confirmation that we hold your personal data and receive a copy.
- Right to rectification: request to have your incorrect or incomplete data corrected.
- Right to withdraw consent: withdraw your consent at any time.
- Right to data portability: receive your data in a structured and commonly used format.
- Right to be forgotten: request that your data no longer appears in search results.
- Right to erasure: request the deletion of your data (subject to our legal obligations).
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at the address below.
13. Requests and complaints procedure
For any request regarding your personal data or to file a complaint, please contact us:
By email: info@inrest.ca
By telephone: 418-968-4801 (ext. 5720)
By mail: INREST, 350 Av. Jolliet, Sept-Îles, QC G4R 2B2
We are committed to processing your request within 30 days of receipt. If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to file a complaint with the Commission d’accès à l’information du Québec:
Commission d’accès à l’information du Québec
Quebec City: 418-528-7741
Montreal: 514-873-4196
Toll-free: 1-888-528-7741
Website: www.cai.gouv.qc.ca
14. Updates to this policy
INREST reserves the right to update this privacy policy at any time. All updates will be published on this page with a revised Last Updated date. We invite you to regularly consult this policy to ensure you are informed of the way in which we protect your data.
15. Questions
If you have any questions about this privacy policy or our personal data protection practices, please contact us:
Northern Institute for Research in Environment and Occupational Health and Safety (INREST)
350 Rue Jolliet
Sept-Îles, QC G4R 2B2
Canada
Telephone: 418-968-4801 (ext. 5720)
Email: info@inrest.ca