Website Terms of Use
Last updated: MAY 2026
1. Acceptance of Terms
Welcome to the website of the Canadian Dermatology Association (“CDA,” “we,” “us,” or “our”). By accessing or using dermatology.ca, dermatologue.ca, or any associated subdomains (collectively, the “Website”), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use (“Terms”). If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use the Website.
We reserve the right to update or modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date. Your continued use of the Website following any changes constitutes acceptance of those changes.
2. About the CDA
The Canadian Dermatology Association is a national medical specialty association, established in 1925, representing dermatologists across Canada. The CDA is incorporated under Canadian federal law and is headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario.
3. Medical Disclaimer
THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS WEBSITE IS FOR GENERAL EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE, AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS, MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT.
The content on this Website, including but not limited to information about skin conditions, diseases, treatments, and medications, is provided to help educate the public and support healthcare professionals. This content:
- Does not replace the advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare professional.
- Should not be used to self-diagnose or self-treat any medical condition.
- May not reflect the most current medical research or guidelines at the time you access it.
- Does not create a physician-patient relationship between you and the CDA or any of its members.
Always seek the advice of a qualified dermatologist or other healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Please note that the CDA is not able to provide referrals to dermatologists or respond to patient inquiries.
4. Use of the Website
4.1 Permitted Use
You may use the Website for lawful, personal, and non-commercial purposes in accordance with these Terms. You may access publicly available content for your personal education and reference.
4.2 Prohibited Use
You agree not to:
- Use the Website in any way that violates applicable federal, provincial, or local laws or regulations.
- Reproduce, distribute, or publicly display any content from the Website for commercial purposes without prior written consent from the CDA.
- Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any portion of the Website, accounts, systems, or networks connected to the Website.
- Use automated tools, bots, scrapers, or similar technology to access, collect, or index content from the Website without our express written permission.
- Impersonate any person or entity, or falsely state or misrepresent your affiliation with any person or entity.
- Transmit any viruses, malware, or other harmful code.
- Use the Website to collect personal information about other users.
5. Member-Only Areas
Certain areas of the Website are restricted to CDA members and require authentication to access. If you have been provided login credentials:
- You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials.
- You agree not to share your login credentials with any unauthorized person.
- You accept responsibility for all activities that occur under your account.
- You agree to notify the CDA immediately of any unauthorized use of your account.
The CDA reserves the right to suspend or terminate access to member-only areas at any time, with or without notice, for conduct that we believe violates these Terms or is harmful to the CDA, its members, or other users.
6. Intellectual Property
All content on this Website, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, images, photographs, audio clips, video clips, data compilations, page layouts, underlying code, and software, is the property of the CDA or its content providers and is protected by Canadian and international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.
The CDA name, logo, and all related names, logos, product and service names, designs, and slogans are trademarks of the Canadian Dermatology Association. You may not use these marks without the prior written permission of the CDA.
6.1 Limited License
You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and view the content on the Website for personal, non-commercial use only. This license does not include the right to:
- Modify or copy content beyond what is necessary for personal viewing.
- Use content for any commercial purpose or public display.
- Remove any copyright, trademark, or other proprietary notices.
6.2 CDA Publications and Resources
Position statements, clinical guidelines, press releases, and other official CDA publications may be referenced and linked to, but should not be reproduced in full without written permission. Downloadable PDF resources are provided for personal use only unless otherwise indicated.
7. Third-Party Links and Content
The Website may contain links to third-party websites, resources, or services that are not owned or controlled by the CDA. We provide these links for your convenience and reference only.
The CDA does not endorse and is not responsible or liable for the content, products, services, privacy practices, or other policies of any third-party websites. Accessing third-party websites is at your own risk, and you should review the terms and privacy policies of those websites.
8. Find a Dermatologist Directory
The CDA may provide a directory to assist the public in locating dermatologists. The inclusion of a dermatologist in the directory does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or guarantee of any kind by the CDA. The CDA makes no representations regarding the qualifications, competence, or quality of care of any listed professional beyond confirming their membership status.
9. Recognized Products Program
The CDA may recognize certain consumer products through its product recognition programs. Recognition indicates that a product has met specific CDA criteria. It does not constitute a medical endorsement or guarantee of product performance. Consumers should always read product labels and consult with a healthcare professional if they have questions about a product’s suitability for their needs.
10. Submissions and Communications
Any information or material you submit to the CDA through the Website, including through contact forms, membership applications, or other interactive features, is subject to the CDA’s Privacy Policy. You represent that any information you provide is accurate and complete.
The CDA is not obligated to respond to all communications received through the Website and reserves the right to use any ideas, concepts, or feedback you provide without compensation or attribution.
11. Disclaimer of Warranties
THE WEBSITE AND ALL CONTENT, MATERIALS, INFORMATION, AND SERVICES PROVIDED ON OR THROUGH THE WEBSITE ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” BASIS WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the CDA disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, and accuracy. The CDA does not warrant that:
- The Website will be available at all times, uninterrupted, or error-free.
- The content on the Website is complete, accurate, reliable, current, or free of errors.
- Any defects or errors will be corrected.
- The Website or its servers are free of viruses or other harmful components.
12. Limitation of Liability
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE CDA, ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, MEMBERS, AND AFFILIATES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF, OR INABILITY TO USE, THE WEBSITE OR ANY CONTENT ON THE WEBSITE.
This limitation applies whether the alleged liability is based on contract, tort, negligence, strict liability, or any other basis, even if the CDA has been advised of the possibility of such damage.
13. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the CDA, its directors, officers, employees, agents, and members from and against any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of or related to your use of the Website, your violation of these Terms, or your violation of any rights of a third party.
14. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, without regard to conflict of law principles.
Any dispute arising out of or in connection with these Terms or the Website shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Province of Ontario, located in Ottawa, Ontario.
15. Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, that provision shall be enforced to the maximum extent permissible, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
16. Accessibility
The CDA is committed to providing an accessible website for all users. If you experience any difficulty accessing content or features on this Website, please contact us so we can work to provide the information you need in an alternative format.
17. Language
These Terms of Use are available in both English and French. In the event of a discrepancy between the English and French versions, the English version shall prevail.
18. Contact Information
If you have any questions about these Terms of Use, please contact us at:
Canadian Dermatology Association
320 March Road, Suite 400
Ottawa, ON K2K 2E3
Canada
Email: media@dermatology.ca
Tel: (613) 738-1748 or 1-800-267-3376
Privacy Policy
Last Updated: MAY 2026
1. Introduction
The Canadian Dermatology Association (“CDA,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy of individuals who visit our websites dermatology.ca, dermatologue.ca and connect.dermatology.ca (the “Website”) and who interact with our services.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information in accordance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and other applicable Canadian privacy legislation.
2. Definitions
- Personal Information: Information about an identifiable individual, as defined under PIPEDA. This includes but is not limited to your name, email address, phone number, mailing address, professional credentials, and payment information.
- Website: Refers to dermatology.ca, dermatologue.ca, and all associated subdomains.
- Member: A dermatologist or other professional who holds a CDA membership.
3. Information We Collect
3.1 Information You Provide Directly
We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide when you:
- Complete contact forms or inquiry forms on the Website.
- Apply for or renew CDA membership.
- Register for events, webinars, or conferences.
- Subscribe to newsletters, publications, or email communications.
- Submit content, feedback, or other communications to the CDA.
- Access member-only areas of the Website.
The types of personal information we may collect include:
- Full name, professional title, and credentials.
- Email address, phone number, and mailing address.
- Professional licence information and practice details.
- Payment and billing information (processed securely by third-party payment processors).
- Login credentials for member-only areas.
- Any other information you choose to provide.
3.2 Information Collected Automatically
When you visit the Website, we may automatically collect certain technical information, including:
- IP address and approximate geographic location.
- Browser type, version, and operating system.
- Pages visited, time spent on pages, and navigation patterns.
- Referring website or source.
- Device type and screen resolution.
This information is collected through cookies and similar tracking technologies. For more details, please refer to our Cookie Policy.
3.3 Information from Third Parties
We may receive personal information about you from third parties, including membership management platforms, event registration services, and authentication providers used to facilitate secure member login.
4. How We Use Your Information
We use personal information for the following purposes:
- Providing Services: To manage memberships, process registrations, deliver publications, and respond to your inquiries.
- Website Operations: To operate, maintain, and improve the Website and its features.
- Communications: To send you information about CDA activities, events, publications, and opportunities relevant to your membership or interests.When you sign up to become a member, you are auto-enrolled in CDA communications. You can update and change your communication preferences via ‘update my profile’ when logged into your account.
- Member Directory: To maintain and display the Find a Dermatologist directory, which may include your name, practice location, and professional information if you are a member who has consented to inclusion.
- Security: To protect the Website, our users, and the CDA from unauthorized access, fraud, and other security threats.
- Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes.
- Analytics: To understand how visitors use the Website and to improve our content and services.
5. Consent
We collect, use, and disclose your personal information with your knowledge and consent, except where permitted or required by law. Consent may be express (e.g., you fill out a form) or implied (e.g., you provide information in the course of a transaction).
You may withdraw your consent at any time, subject to legal or contractual restrictions and reasonable notice. Withdrawing consent may limit our ability to provide certain services to you. To withdraw consent, contact us using the information provided in Section 13.
6. Disclosure of Information
We may share your personal information with:
- Service Providers: Third-party companies that perform services on our behalf, such as website hosting, payment processing, email delivery, event management, and analytics. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information.
- Professional Bodies: In connection with accreditation, continuing professional development, or other professional activities where disclosure is necessary and appropriate.
- Legal Requirements: When required by law, regulation, court order, or governmental authority, or when we believe disclosure is necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of the CDA, our members, or the public.
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes.
7. Data Retention
We retain personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.
Membership records are retained for the duration of your membership and for a reasonable period afterward as required for administrative and legal purposes. Website analytics data is retained in accordance with our analytics provider’s standard data retention settings.
8. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:
- Encryption of data in transit using SSL/TLS technology.
- Secure authentication systems for member-only areas.
- Regular security monitoring and updates.
- Encrypted backups stored off-site within Canada.
- Access controls limiting who within the organization can access personal information.
While we take reasonable precautions, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is completely secure. We cannot guarantee the absolute security of your information.
9. Cross-Border Transfers
The CDA primarily stores and processes personal information within Canada. However, some of our third-party service providers may store or process data in jurisdictions outside of Canada, including the United States.
Where personal information is transferred outside of Canada, we take reasonable steps to ensure that it receives a comparable level of protection through contractual arrangements with our service providers.
10. Your Rights
Under PIPEDA, you have the right to:
- Access: Request access to the personal information we hold about you.
- Correction: Request correction of any inaccurate or incomplete personal information.
- Withdrawal of Consent: Withdraw your consent to the collection, use, or disclosure of your personal information, subject to legal restrictions.
- Complaint: File a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada if you believe your privacy rights have been violated.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information in Section 13. We will respond to your request within 30 days, as required by PIPEDA.
11. Children’s Privacy
The Website is not directed at children under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If you believe that a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will take steps to delete such information.
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will post the updated policy on this page with a revised “Last updated” date.
For material changes that significantly affect how we use your personal information, we will make reasonable efforts to notify you, such as by posting a notice on the Website or sending an email to registered members.
13. Contact Us
If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or the CDA’s privacy practices, please contact:
Canadian Dermatology Association
320 March Road, Suite 400
Ottawa, ON K2K 2E3
Canada
Email: media@dermatology.ca
Tel: (613) 738-1748 or 1-800-267-3376
You may also contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada:
Website: www.priv.gc.ca
Phone: 1-800-282-1376
Cookie Policy
Last Updated: MAY 2026
1. What Are Cookies
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and to provide information to website owners.
This Cookie Policy explains what cookies and similar tracking technologies we use on dermatology.ca and dermatologue.ca (the “Website”), why we use them, and your choices regarding their use.
2. How We Use Cookies
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
2.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for the Website to function properly. They enable core features such as page navigation, access to secure areas of the Website, and session management for member login. These cookies do not collect personal information for marketing purposes.
Examples include:
- Session cookies that maintain your login state in member-only areas.
- Security cookies that help detect and prevent fraudulent activity.
- Cookies that remember your cookie consent preferences.
2.2 Analytics and Performance Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with the Website by collecting information about pages visited, time spent on pages, and any error messages encountered. This information is aggregated and used to improve the Website’s performance and content.
2.3 Functionality Cookies
These cookies allow the Website to remember choices you make, such as your preferred language (English or French), to provide a more personalized experience.
Examples include:
- Language preference cookies that remember your English or French selection.
- Display preference cookies.
3. Third-Party Cookies
Some cookies on our Website are placed by third-party services that appear on our pages. We do not control these cookies. Third parties that may place cookies include:
- Analytics providers.
- Authentication providers used for secure member login.
- Embedded content providers (e.g., video players) if multimedia content is embedded on any pages.
4. Cookie Duration
Cookies can be either “session” or “persistent” cookies:
- Session Cookies: These are temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser. They are used to maintain your session as you navigate the Website.
- Persistent Cookies: These cookies remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them. They are used to remember your preferences and recognize you on return visits.
5. Your Cookie Choices
You have several options for managing cookies:
5.1 Browser Settings
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can typically set your browser to block or delete cookies, or to alert you when a cookie is being placed. Note that blocking all cookies may affect the functionality of the Website, particularly member login and language preferences.
5.2 Cookie Consent
When you first visit the Website, you will be presented with a cookie consent notice that allows you to accept or manage your cookie preferences. You can change your preferences at any time by clearing your browser cookies and revisiting the Website.
5.3 Analytics Opt-Out
If you prefer not to have your browsing activity tracked by analytics cookies, most analytics providers offer browser add-ons or opt-out mechanisms. Check your analytics provider’s website for available opt-out tools.
6. Do Not Track
Some browsers include a “Do Not Track” (DNT) feature that signals to websites that you do not want your online activity tracked. There is currently no universally accepted standard for how to respond to DNT signals. At this time, the Website does not respond to DNT signals.
7. Changes to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable laws. We will post the updated policy on this page with a revised “Last updated” date.
8. Contact Us
If you have questions about our use of cookies, please contact us at:
Canadian Dermatology Association
320 March Road, Suite 400
Ottawa, ON K2K 2E3
Canada
Email: media@dermatology.ca
Tel: (613) 738-1748 or 1-800-267-3376