YOUR PRIVACY IS IMPORTANT
Our Cookie PolicyEffective Date: May 2025 | www.helmsmangroup.ca
1. Introduction
This Cookie Policy explains how Helmsman Management Ltd. (“Helmsman,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website at www.helmsmangroup.ca (the “Site”).
This policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy, which provides full details about how we collect and handle your personal information.
By continuing to use our Site after being presented with our cookie notice, you consent to the use of cookies as described in this policy (except for strictly necessary cookies, which do not require consent).
2. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, tablet, or smartphone) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, remember your preferences, and provide information to website owners about how their site is being used.
Cookies may be:
- Session cookies — temporary cookies that are deleted when you close your browser.
- Persistent cookies — cookies that remain on your device for a set period of time, or until you delete them.
- First-party cookies — set by the website you are visiting.
- Third-party cookies — set by a domain other than the website you are visiting (e.g., by an analytics provider).
3. Cookies We Use
Our Site uses the following categories of cookies:
3.1 Strictly Necessary / Functional Cookies
These cookies are essential for the basic operation of our Site and cannot be disabled. They do not track you for marketing purposes and do not require your consent under applicable privacy law.
| Cookie / Provider | Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| WordPress (wp_*) | Functional | Session management and core site functionality | Session |
| Wordfence Security | Functional | Malware and security protection; bot detection | Session / 1 year |
| WP Rocket | Functional | Performance caching; page load optimization | Session |
3.2 Analytics Cookies
We use Google Analytics 4 (GA4), loaded via the Site Kit by Google plugin, to collect anonymized data about how visitors interact with our Site. This information helps us improve the content and performance of our Site. Analytics cookies are only set with your consent.
| Cookie / Provider | Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Analytics (GA4) | Distinguishes unique users; assigns a randomly generated identifier | 2 years |
| _ga_<container-id> | Analytics (GA4) | Maintains session state for GA4 measurement | 2 years |
| _gid | Analytics (GA4) | Distinguishes users; refreshes every 24 hours | 24 hours |
| _gat / _gat_UA-* | Analytics (GA4) | Used to throttle request rate to Google Analytics | 1 minute |
Google Analytics data is processed by Google LLC and may be stored on servers outside Canada, including in the United States. We have configured Google Analytics to anonymize IP addresses where possible and to retain data for a maximum of 14 months. For more information, see Google’s Privacy Policy.
3.3 Spam Filtering Cookies
The Akismet plugin processes limited technical data (including IP addresses) to filter spam submitted through our contact form. This processing is carried out in the legitimate interests of maintaining the security and integrity of our Site.
3.4 Cookie Consent Cookies
We use the Complianz | GDPR/CCPA Cookie Consent plugin to manage your cookie preferences. This plugin sets its own cookies to remember the choices you make in our cookie notice.
| Cookie / Provider | Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| cmplz_consent | Consent management | Stores your cookie consent preferences | 1 year |
| cmplz_policy_id | Consent management | Records the policy version you consented to | 1 year |
4. Cookies We Do Not Use
We do not use:
- Advertising or targeting cookies
- Social media cookies or social sharing buttons
- Cookies that track you across third-party websites
- Cookies to build profiles for direct marketing
5. Managing and Controlling Cookies
5.1 Cookie Consent Banner
When you first visit our Site, you will be presented with a cookie consent notice. You can choose to accept or decline analytics cookies at that time. You may also update your preferences at any time by clicking the cookie settings link in our Site footer.
5.2 Browser Settings
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can typically:
- View the cookies stored on your device
- Delete individual or all cookies
- Block cookies from specific websites
- Block all third-party cookies
- Set your browser to notify you when a cookie is being set
Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our Site. For guidance on managing cookies in your specific browser, visit the browser’s help documentation or www.allaboutcookies.org.
5.3 Google Analytics Opt-Out
You can prevent Google Analytics from collecting your data by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on. This add-on is available for most major browsers.
6. Third-Party Links
Our Site may contain links to third-party websites. Those websites may use their own cookies, which are not covered by this Cookie Policy. We encourage you to review the cookie and privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.
7. Changes to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use, changes in applicable law, or improvements to our practices. When we make material changes, we will update the effective date at the top of this page.
Your continued use of our Site after any changes to this Cookie Policy constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.
8. Contact Us
If you have any questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:
Helmsman Management Ltd.
400 – 602 Broughton Street
Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1C7
Email: info@helmsmangroup.ca
Phone: 250-999-9859
