Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They help websites remember your preferences, maintain your session, and understand how you use the site. Similar technologies (local storage, session storage, pixel tags, and SDK identifiers) work in comparable ways. References to "cookies" in this policy include these similar technologies.

2. Categories of Cookies We Use

Essential / Strictly Necessary: Required for the website to function — session management, security tokens, CSRF protection, login state, fraud prevention. Cannot be disabled because the site will not work without them. No consent required under Canadian privacy law.

Analytics (consent-based): Help us understand aggregate traffic and user behaviour so we can improve the site (Google Analytics, loaded through Google Tag Manager). Analytics cookies are off until you choose "Accept all" in our cookie banner. Where Google Analytics is loaded, we configure IP anonymization and disable data sharing with Google.

Performance: Improve page-load times and route caching. Functionally similar to essential cookies but not strictly required.

Functional / Preference: Remember your choices — preferred language, dismissed banners, calculator inputs you've saved locally.

Marketing / Advertising (consent-based): May be used to measure our advertising and show you Mortgage Squad Advisors content on other websites you visit. Advertising cookies are off until you choose "Accept all" in our cookie banner. We never sell your personal information to advertisers.

3. Consent

We ask every visitor, wherever they are, before using analytics or advertising cookies. On your first visit a small cookie banner appears at the bottom of the page with two equal choices: "Accept all" or "Reject non-essential". Until you choose, and if you choose "Reject non-essential", we use Google Consent Mode to tell Google's tags that analytics and advertising storage are denied: no Google Analytics or advertising cookies are set, advertising data is redacted, and Google may receive only basic, cookieless signals (such as the fact that a page was viewed) that it uses in aggregate. Your choice is saved in your browser's local storage so we don't ask on every page; clearing your browser data resets it. You can change your choice at any time by selecting "Cookie settings" in the website footer, which reopens the banner. Essential cookies do not require consent.

4. Managing Cookies in Your Browser

You may control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to view, delete, or block cookies. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality. Instructions for managing cookies: Chrome → Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data. Safari → Preferences → Privacy. Firefox → Settings → Privacy & Security. Edge → Settings → Cookies and Site Permissions. To opt out of Google Analytics specifically, you can install Google's browser add-on at tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

5. Do Not Track

Some browsers send a "Do Not Track" (DNT) signal. There is no industry-standard interpretation of DNT, so we currently do not change our cookie behaviour based on DNT signals alone. We honour the choice you make in our cookie banner (reopen it any time from "Cookie settings" in the footer) and your browser's cookie controls, which are more granular than DNT.

6. Third-Party Cookies

We use Google Analytics for traffic analysis (cookies set by google.com / googletagmanager.com). Google's privacy practices are governed by their Privacy Policy. From time to time we may also load cookies set by other service providers we use for legitimate business purposes (e.g., hosting infrastructure, customer support widgets, AI assistants). We do not allow third parties to use cookies on this site for cross-site tracking unrelated to our services. A current list of active third-party providers and the cookies they set is available on request to info@mortgagesquad.ca.

7. Children

Our website and services are intended for adults. We do not knowingly use cookies or collect personal information from children under the age of majority in their province. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a minor, please contact us so we can delete it.

8. Changes

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. The last-updated date above reflects the most recent revision. Material changes will be communicated through a notice on the website. Your continued use of the site after a material change constitutes acceptance of the updated policy. If you do not agree to the updated policy, please discontinue use of the site or adjust your cookie preferences accordingly.