COOKIE POLICY
This Cookie Policy explains how suitsandboots.ca uses cookies and similar tracking technologies when you visit our website. We believe in full transparency about our data collection practices. This comprehensive policy provides clear, detailed information about what cookies are, what specific cookies we use, why we use them, and how you can manage your preferences. By continuing to use suitsandboots.ca after viewing our cookie notice, you consent to their use in accordance with this policy and PIPEDA requirements.
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files (typically under 4KB) stored on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet) when you visit websites. They serve many important functions:
- Enabling basic website functionality on suitsandboots.ca (login sessions, forms, preferences)
- Remembering your settings and preferences between visits to suitsandboots.ca
- Providing personalized experiences based on your interests and behaviour
- Helping us understand how visitors use suitsandboots.ca so we can improve the service
- Displaying relevant advertisements and measuring marketing campaign effectiveness
- Enhancing security by detecting fraud, bots, and suspicious activity
1.1 Types of Cookies
| Cookie Type | Detailed Description |
| First-Party | Set directly by suitsandboots.ca — we have full control over these cookies and how data is used |
| Third-Party | Set by external services (Google Analytics, Hotjar, Facebook) through suitsandboots.ca — subject to their privacy policies |
| Session | Temporary cookies automatically deleted from your device when you close your browser |
| Persistent | Remain on your device until expiration (set time period) or until you manually delete them |
2. Cookie Categories on suitsandboots.ca
| Category | Purpose | Retention Period | Can You Disable? |
| Strictly Necessary | Core suitsandboots.ca functionality, security, authentication, CSRF protection | Session to 1 year | NO — Required |
| Performance | Analytics, page load times, error tracking, user behaviour analysis | Up to 26 months | YES — Optional |
| Functional | Preferences, language, region, personalization, remember settings | Up to 2 years | YES — Optional |
| Targeting/Advertising | Ads, affiliate tracking, remarketing, conversion measurement | Up to 2 years | YES — Optional |
3. Detailed Cookie Inventory
3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are absolutely essential for suitsandboots.ca to function properly. They cannot be disabled without losing core functionality.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Expiration |
| sab_session | suitsandboots.ca | User session management | Session |
| csrf_token | suitsandboots.ca | Cross-site request forgery protection | Session |
| cookie_consent | suitsandboots.ca | Stores cookie preference choices | 1 year |
| age_verified | suitsandboots.ca | Age verification confirmation (19+/18+) | 30 days |
| __cf_bm | Cloudflare | Bot detection and DDoS protection | 30 minutes |
3.2 Performance and Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors use suitsandboots.ca.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Expiration |
| _ga | Google Analytics | Unique user identification | 2 years |
| _ga_* | Google Analytics 4 | GA4 session state persistence | 2 years |
| _gid | Google Analytics | Daily user differentiation | 24 hours |
| _hjSessionUser_* | Hotjar | UX heatmaps and session recordings | 1 year |
| _hjSession_* | Hotjar | Current Hotjar session data | 30 minutes |
| _clck | Microsoft Clarity | Session recordings and UX analytics | 1 year |
3.3 Targeting and Advertising Cookies
These cookies are used for advertising and affiliate tracking purposes on suitsandboots.ca.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Expiration |
| sab_affiliate | suitsandboots.ca | Affiliate referral attribution | 30 days |
| _fbp | Meta (Facebook) | Facebook/Instagram ad targeting and measurement | 3 months |
| _gcl_au | Google Ads | Google Ads conversion tracking | 90 days |
| IDE | Google DoubleClick | Remarketing campaigns | 13 months |
4. Managing Cookie Preferences
4.1 Our Cookie Consent Tool
Upon your first visit to suitsandboots.ca, you will see a cookie consent banner (PIPEDA-compliant) that allows you to:
- Accept all cookies (full functionality and personalization)
- Reject non-essential cookies (strictly necessary cookies only)
- Customize preferences by category (choose which types to accept)
You can change your preferences at any time by clicking “Cookie Settings” in the website footer.
4.2 Browser-Level Cookie Controls
| Browser | How to Access Cookie Settings |
| Google Chrome | Menu (⋮) → Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data |
| Mozilla Firefox | Menu (☰) → Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data |
| Safari (macOS) | Safari → Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data |
| Safari (iOS/iPadOS) | Settings → Safari → Privacy & Security → Block All Cookies |
| Microsoft Edge | Menu (⋯) → Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Cookies |
| Opera | Menu → Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies |
4.3 Industry Opt-Out Tools
- Google Analytics Opt-Out: tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout (browser add-on)
- Digital Advertising Alliance of Canada: youradchoices.ca (Canadian opt-out tool)
- Network Advertising Initiative: optout.networkadvertising.org
- Digital Advertising Alliance (US): optout.aboutads.info
5. Other Tracking Technologies
In addition to traditional cookies, suitsandboots.ca may use the following technologies:
| Technology | Description and Purpose |
| Web Beacons / Pixels | Small transparent images (1×1 pixel) embedded on pages and in emails to track views, clicks, and conversions |
| Local Storage (HTML5) | Browser storage with larger capacity than cookies for storing preferences and cached data |
| Session Storage | Temporary browser storage automatically cleared when you close the tab or window |
| JavaScript Tags | Code snippets enabling analytics, advertising, A/B testing, personalization, and third-party integrations |
Important Note: suitsandboots.ca does NOT use device fingerprinting techniques that create unique identifiers based on your device’s hardware and software properties.
6. Impact of Disabling Cookies
| Cookie Category | Impact of Disabling on Website Experience |
| Strictly Necessary | Cannot be disabled — required for basic suitsandboots.ca functionality, security, and legal compliance |
| Performance | Less optimized experience; we cannot identify issues or understand user needs to improve the website |
| Functional | Your preferences won’t be saved; you’ll need to set language and options each visit |
| Targeting | Ads will be less relevant; you’ll still see the same number of ads but they may be less targeted to your interests |
7. Cookie Policy Updates
suitsandboots.ca may periodically update this Cookie Policy to reflect technological changes, legal requirements (PIPEDA, provincial laws), or changes in our practices. Material changes will be indicated by updating the “Last Updated” date. We encourage you to review this policy regularly.
8. Contact Information
Website: suitsandboots.ca
Cookie / Privacy Inquiries: [email protected]
Data Protection: [email protected]
General Contact: [email protected]