Disclaimer

1. General Disclaimer

The information provided on the GIC Rates Canada website (gicratescanada.com) is for general informational and educational purposes only. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information about Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs), interest rates, and related financial products, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability of the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose.

Any reliance you place on information obtained from this website is strictly at your own risk. We disclaim all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on such materials by you or any other visitor to the website, or by anyone who may be informed of any of its contents.

2. Not Financial, Investment, or Professional Advice

2.1 No Advisory Relationship

GIC Rates Canada is an informational website and comparison platform. We are not a financial institution, investment advisor, broker-dealer, financial planner, or registered investment advisor. The content on this website, including but not limited to articles, rate comparisons, calculator results, and recommendations, does not constitute and should not be construed as:

• Financial advice
• Investment advice
• Tax advice
• Legal advice
• Accounting advice
• Professional consulting services
• Personal recommendations tailored to your specific circumstances

2.2 Consult Professional Advisors

Before making any financial or investment decisions, including purchasing GICs or other investment products, you should consult with qualified and licensed financial, legal, tax, and accounting professionals who can assess your individual circumstances, risk tolerance, financial goals, and specific needs. Every individual's financial situation is unique, and what may be appropriate for one person may not be suitable for another.

2.3 No Fiduciary Duty

We do not owe you any fiduciary duty or obligation. We do not provide personalized investment advice or make investment recommendations based on your individual circumstances. Any decisions you make based on information from our website are your sole responsibility.

3. Rate Information and Accuracy

3.1 Rate Variability

GIC interest rates displayed on our website are subject to change without notice. Rates may vary significantly based on numerous factors including but not limited to:

• The financial institution offering the GIC
• The term length of the investment
• The principal amount invested
• Current market conditions and Bank of Canada policy rates
• Whether the GIC is redeemable or non-redeemable
• Whether the GIC is held in a registered or non-registered account
• Your relationship with the financial institution
• Promotional offers and special conditions
• Geographic location within Canada

3.2 No Guarantee of Rates

The rates displayed on our website are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an offer or guarantee that you will receive those rates. Actual rates offered by financial institutions may differ from those displayed on our website. You must verify current rates directly with the financial institution before making any investment decisions.

3.3 Historical Information

Any historical rate information provided on our website is for reference purposes only and should not be used as a predictor of future performance or rates. Past performance and historical rates are not indicative of future results.

4. Third-Party Relationships and Referrals

4.1 Financial Institution Relationships

When you express interest in or apply for a GIC or other financial product through our website, we may refer you to third-party financial institutions, including banks, credit unions, and other deposit-taking institutions. These referrals may result in compensation to us from the financial institution. However, such compensation does not influence the information we provide or the order in which institutions are presented.

4.2 No Control Over Third Parties

We have no control over and assume no responsibility for:

• The products, services, or practices of third-party financial institutions
• The application, approval, or underwriting processes of financial institutions
• The terms and conditions, rates, or features of products offered by financial institutions
• How financial institutions use, protect, or disclose your personal information
• Customer service or dispute resolution with financial institutions
• The financial stability or regulatory compliance of financial institutions

4.3 Independent Verification

You are solely responsible for conducting your own due diligence on any financial institution, product, or service before entering into any agreement or transaction. You should independently verify all information, read and understand all terms and conditions, and ensure that any product meets your specific needs.

5. GIC Calculator and Tools

5.1 Illustrative Purposes Only

Our GIC calculator and other financial tools are provided for illustrative and educational purposes only. The calculations, projections, and results generated by these tools are based on the information you input and certain assumptions. These results should not be considered as:

• Guaranteed returns or outcomes
• Predictions of actual investment performance
• Personalized financial advice
• Recommendations to purchase any specific product

5.2 Limitations and Assumptions

The calculator makes certain simplifying assumptions and may not account for all factors that could affect your actual returns, including but not limited to:

• Taxes on interest income (unless held in registered accounts)
• Inflation and purchasing power
• Changes in interest rates over time
• Fees or penalties for early redemption (where applicable)
• Variations in compounding methods between institutions
• Provincial variations in tax treatment or insurance coverage

5.3 Accuracy of Calculations

While we strive to ensure our calculators provide accurate results, we make no warranties or representations regarding the accuracy of the calculations. You should verify all calculations independently before making any investment decisions.

6. Investment Risks and Considerations

6.1 General Investment Risks

All investments carry some degree of risk. While GICs are generally considered low-risk investments with principal protection (when held to maturity and subject to CDIC insurance limits), you should be aware of the following:

• Inflation Risk: The purchasing power of your investment may be eroded by inflation, especially with lower interest rates.
• Opportunity Cost: Funds locked into a GIC cannot be used for other potentially higher-returning investments.
• Interest Rate Risk: If interest rates rise after you purchase a GIC, you may miss opportunities for higher returns.
• Liquidity Risk: Non-redeemable GICs require you to lock in your funds for the term, limiting access to your capital.
• Early Redemption Penalties: Cashing in a GIC early (where permitted) may result in penalties or reduced returns.

6.2 CDIC Insurance Limitations

While eligible GICs at CDIC member institutions are insured up to $100,000 (principal and interest combined) per depositor, per insured category, this coverage has limitations:

• Coverage limits apply per institution, so deposits exceeding $100,000 at a single institution may not be fully covered
• Not all financial institutions are CDIC members (credit unions typically have provincial deposit insurance)
• Certain types of GICs or accounts may not be eligible for CDIC coverage
• Coverage applies only when the institution is a CDIC member at the time of deposit

You should verify CDIC membership and coverage details directly with your financial institution.

6.3 Suitability Assessment

We do not assess whether any particular GIC or investment is suitable for you. Factors you should consider include:

• Your financial goals and time horizon
• Your risk tolerance and investment experience
• Your current financial situation and obligations
• Your liquidity needs and emergency fund status
• Your overall asset allocation and diversification
• Tax implications based on your personal tax situation
• Whether the investment aligns with your broader financial plan

7. Limitation of Liability

7.1 No Liability for Decisions

Under no circumstances shall GIC Rates Canada, its owners, operators, employees, agents, or affiliates be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to:

• Investment losses or missed opportunities
• Financial losses resulting from decisions made based on information from our website
• Losses resulting from inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated information
• Damages arising from the use or inability to use our website or tools
• Losses resulting from relationships with third-party financial institutions
• Damages related to security breaches, data loss, or unauthorized access
• Any other losses or damages of any kind, even if advised of the possibility of such damages

7.2 "As Is" Basis

Our website and all content are provided "as is" and "as available" without any warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, or accuracy.

8. No Guarantee of Website Availability

We do not guarantee that our website will be available at all times or that it will be free from errors, viruses, or other harmful components. We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any aspect of the website at any time without notice. We shall not be liable for any interruption of service or loss of access to the website.

9. External Links Disclaimer

Our website may contain links to external websites operated by third parties, including financial institutions, government agencies, and other organizations. These links are provided for your convenience only. We have no control over the content of these external sites and are not responsible for:

• The accuracy, legality, or content of external websites
• The privacy practices of external websites
• Products, services, or information offered by external websites
• Any losses or damages arising from your use of external websites

The inclusion of any link does not imply our endorsement of the external website or its content.

10. Regulatory and Compliance Disclaimer

10.1 Not Regulated as Financial Services Provider

GIC Rates Canada is not registered with or regulated by any provincial securities commission, financial services regulatory authority, or other financial regulatory body. We do not provide regulated financial services and are not subject to the rules and protections that govern registered investment advisors or financial institutions.

10.2 Compliance with Laws

While we make efforts to comply with applicable laws and regulations, users are responsible for ensuring their own compliance with all applicable laws, including tax laws, investment regulations, and anti-money laundering requirements in their jurisdiction.

11. Information Accuracy and Updates

We make reasonable efforts to ensure that information on our website is accurate and current. However, we do not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of any information. Information on the website may contain technical inaccuracies, typographical errors, or become outdated. We reserve the right to make changes, corrections, and updates to the website at any time without notice.

We are not obligated to update information on the website, and you should not assume that information remains current simply because it appears on our website. You should verify all information independently before relying on it.

12. User Responsibility

By using our website, you acknowledge and agree that:

• You are solely responsible for any decisions you make based on information from our website
• You will conduct your own research and due diligence before making any financial decisions
• You will consult with qualified professionals as appropriate for your circumstances
• You understand the risks associated with investments, including GICs
• You will verify all information independently before acting on it
• You use the website and its content at your own risk

13. Geographic Limitations

The information on our website is intended for residents of Canada only. GIC products, rates, and regulations may vary by province and territory. Information provided may not be applicable or suitable for individuals outside Canada. If you are accessing this website from outside Canada, you do so at your own initiative and are responsible for compliance with local laws.

14. Language Interpretation

This disclaimer is provided in English. Any translation into other languages is provided for convenience only. In the event of any discrepancy between the English version and any translated version, the English version shall prevail.

15. Changes to This Disclaimer

We reserve the right to modify this disclaimer at any time without prior notice. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting to the website. Your continued use of the website after any changes indicates your acceptance of the updated disclaimer. We encourage you to review this disclaimer periodically.

16. Severability

If any provision of this disclaimer is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect to the maximum extent permitted by law.

17. Contact Information

If you have any questions about this disclaimer, please contact us:

GIC Rates Canada
Email: info@gicratescanada.com

18. Acknowledgment and Acceptance

BY USING THE GIC RATES CANADA WEBSITE, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ THIS DISCLAIMER, UNDERSTAND IT, AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY ITS TERMS. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH THIS DISCLAIMER, YOU MUST NOT USE THIS WEBSITE.