Privacy Statement

At the Teachers’ Retirement Allowances Fund (TRAF), we are dedicated to protecting your privacy and safeguarding your personal information.¹ As part of our commitment, we have established this privacy policy in accordance with the provisions of The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) to govern our actions as they relate to the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information. Please note that this policy is subject to revision by TRAF at any time.



We encourage you to review the elements of our privacy policy. Any concerns that you have regarding your personal information with us may be addressed to our Privacy Officer, who is responsible for monitoring and promoting compliance with our privacy policy.



Protecting the confidentiality of your personal information has always been of fundamental importance to TRAF. This privacy policy confirms our commitment to protect your privacy and safeguard your personal information.

The elements of our privacy policy

1. Identifying purposes and limiting collection of personal information
   We collect only the personal information that we need to administer the plan, including information required to:
   • Accurately record and validate service and salary as reported by school divisions and other employers,
   • Collect contributions,
   • Determine benefit entitlements and process benefit applications,
   • Communicate information about TRAF,
   • Understand and analyze your pension needs and develop services to inform you about how to improve your benefits,
   • Assess the quality of the service we provide, and
   • Comply with applicable laws.
     
2. Limiting the use, disclosure, and retention of personal information
   We will use or disclose your personal information only for the purposes described to administer the plan and any other proper purposes for which it was collected.
   
   We will not use the personal information that we collect from you, your employer or others for any purpose other than for the proper administration of the plan without first obtaining your consent, except where we are otherwise required or permitted by law to do so.
   
   We will not sell or release your personal information to other organizations or individuals.
3. Ensuring accuracy of personal information
   We will make every reasonable effort to keep your personal information complete, up to date and accurate.
   
   To assist with the continued accuracy of your records, please notify us of any changes to your personal information.
4. Safeguarding personal information
   We will make every reasonable effort to protect your personal information against various risks such as unauthorized access, use, disclosure or destruction. To this end, we provide our employees with privacy training and require each employee to agree to specific confidentiality provisions.
   
   Furthermore, we will make every reasonable effort to ensure that the method of service delivery is appropriate to the sensitivity of the personal information to be processed.
5. Ensuring individual access to personal information
   Upon written request, we will provide you with access to your personal information, subject to the exceptions noted in our Public Access to Information Policy and in FIPPA.
6. Accountability and openness of polices and practices
   TRAF is responsible for personal information under its control and has established policies and procedures to implement this privacy policy.
7. Policy information requests
   Any questions or requests for information regarding compliance with our privacy policy may be addressed to:
   
   Kaely Zettel
   Privacy Officer
   Teachers’ Retirement Allowances Fund
   330 – 25 Forks Market Road
   Winnipeg, Manitoba  R3C 4S8
   Tel.:  204-975-3666 or 1-800-782-0714
   Fax:  204-944-0361
   
   We will respond to all inquiries or complaints related to the handling of personal information. If a complaint is found to be justified, we will take appropriate measures.
8. Ombudsman
   A fundamental right under FIPPA is the right to make a complaint to the Manitoba Ombudsman about the decisions of public bodies such as TRAF regarding the collection, use or disclosure of personal information under FIPPA. Complaints may be addressed directly to the Provincial Ombudsman’s office at the address below:
   
   Manitoba Ombudsman
   750 – 500 Portage Avenue
   Winnipeg, Manitoba  R3C 3X1
   Tel.:  204-982-9130 or 1-800-665-0531
   Fax:  204-942-7803
   Website: www.ombudsman.mb.ca
   
   
   

1. “Personal information” is defined by The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and includes, but is not limited to, an individual’s name, address, telephone number, email address, employer, marital status, salary history and years of service. ↩︎