Terms of Service

1. Agreement to Terms

By accessing or using the VanIsleLocal website at vanislelocal.ca (the "Platform"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree, you must not use the Platform. These Terms apply to all visitors, users, and businesses that access or use the Platform. VanIsleLocal is a business discovery and listing platform serving Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.

2. Description of Services

VanIsleLocal provides an online business discovery platform connecting consumers with verified local businesses on Vancouver Island. Our services include business listing profiles, tiered membership plans, community hub pages, editorial content through the Island Life blog, and application and onboarding processes for new business members. We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any aspect of the Platform at any time.

3. Membership and Paid Listings

• 3.1 Membership Tiers — VanIsleLocal offers paid membership tiers including Community Member, Club Partner, and Island Authority. Membership investment levels, features, and availability are as described on our Membership page and are subject to change.
• 3.2 Founding Member Program — The Founding Member program offers a reduced membership rate for a fixed term as described at enrollment. Founding Member rates apply for the stated term only, after which standard rates apply.
• 3.3 Payment and Billing — All payments are processed securely through Stripe. By providing payment information, you authorize us to charge your payment method for applicable membership fees. Fees are billed monthly or annually as selected.
• 3.4 Cancellation and Refunds — You may cancel your membership at any time. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period. We do not offer prorated refunds for partial billing periods.
• 3.5 Free Listings — We may offer complimentary listings at our discretion. Free listings may be removed, modified, or converted to paid listings at any time with reasonable notice.

4. Business Listing Standards

• 4.1 Accuracy — Businesses represent and warrant that all submitted information is accurate, current, and not misleading.
• 4.2 Verification — Our verification review does not constitute an endorsement of any business. We reserve the right to remove any listing that fails to meet our standards.
• 4.3 Prohibited Content — Listings may not contain false or misleading information, infringe on third-party intellectual property, include offensive or illegal content, or misrepresent the business.
• 4.4 Listing Removal — We reserve the right to remove, suspend, or modify any listing at any time for any reason, including violation of these Terms.

5. User Conduct

All users agree not to use the Platform for any unlawful purpose, scrape or harvest data without written consent, attempt unauthorized access to the Platform or its infrastructure, transmit malicious code or spam, or impersonate any person or entity.

6. Intellectual Property

All Platform content is the property of VanIsleLocal or its licensors. By submitting content, you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use and display that content in connection with the Platform. "VanIsleLocal," the mountain-wave logo, "Verified Island Businesses," and the "Island Founding Member" badge are trademarks of VanIsleLocal.

7. Disclaimer of Warranties

THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

8. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE CANADIAN LAW, VANISLELOCAL SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES. OUR TOTAL LIABILITY SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT YOU PAID US IN THE TWELVE MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM.

9. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless VanIsleLocal and its owners, employees, and agents from any claims, liabilities, damages, or expenses arising from your use of the Platform or violation of these Terms.

10. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of British Columbia and the federal laws of Canada. Any dispute shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of British Columbia.

11. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms at any time. Your continued use of the Platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the new Terms.