Privacy Policy

When you receive one-on-one nutrition counseling, personal health information is collected, used, and disclosed only as necessary to provide safe, effective, and ethical care. This includes information you provide directly (e.g., during a discovery call), as well as information collected through assessments and follow-ups.

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5.1. What is personal health information?

Personal information includes your name, contact details, date of birth, health history, care received, social or lifestyle factors relevant to care, and any goals or preferences discussed in sessions. 

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5.2. Why your information is collected:

• To assess your needs and provide personalized nutrition services

• To monitor progress over time and adjust your plan

• To communicate about your care or appointments

• To issue invoices, insurance receipts, or documentation as requested

• To meet legal and regulatory obligations

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5.3. Additional uses may include:

• Quality assurance and professional consultation

• Regulatory inspections by the College of Dietitians of Ontario

• Reporting misconduct, risk to safety, or as required by law

• Communication with insurance providers or third parties (with your consent or legal authority)

Your personal health information is never sold and is not shared for advertising or marketing purposes.

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5.4. Consent

Consent for collection, use, or disclosure may be implied (e.g., coordinating care) or express (e.g., sharing with third parties). You may withdraw consent at any time by notifying Melissa Fortier, RD in writing via secure message or email. Withdrawal will not affect care already provided or information shared with prior consent.

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5.5. Storage and retention

Client records are stored electronically and securely through Practice Better, a PHIPA- and PIPEDA-compliant platform. Records are retained for at least 10 years after your last session, or 10 years past the age of majority for minors, in accordance with the College of Dietitians of Ontario’s recordkeeping standards. When client records are no longer required, they are securely destroyed in accordance with the College of Dietitians of Ontario’s guidelines for record disposal.

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5.6. Health Information Custodian

As a Registered Dietitian practicing in Ontario, I am considered a Health Information Custodian (HIC) under the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), and follow all applicable standards outlined by the College of Dietitians of Ontario.

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5.7. Terms of Service

For more information about working together, including payment, cancellation, and appointment policies, please refer to the Client Agreement & Terms of Service. You’ll be asked to review and agree to these terms before beginning services.

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5.8. Your Rights as a Client

As a client receiving nutrition counseling, you have the right to:

• Access or request a copy of your personal health records

• Request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete information

• Withdraw or restrict consent to the collection, use, or disclosure of your personal health information (unless otherwise required by law)

• Request deletion of your records, where appropriate and permitted by law

• Be informed about how your information is used and shared

• File a complaint if you believe your privacy has been breached

To make any of the above requests, please contact info@melissafortier-rd.com. Identity verification may be required before processing your request. Most requests are addressed within 30 days. If corrections are made, any third parties who received the incorrect information will be notified as appropriate.

In the event of a privacy breach, I will follow the procedures set out under the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), including notifying affected individuals and/or the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, as required by law.