Sections


Introduction

The Regional Municipality of Niagara (“Niagara Region”) is committed to operating its websites as an effective method of communication with interested users. Niagara Region will adhere to all legislation regarding privacy and freedom of information which apply to it, which may result in significant disclosures of the information contained in users’ comments or messages, as is a risk normal to the use of social networking sites.


Privacy and Access

The Niagara Region is subject to Ontario Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) and other privacy legislation.

Senders of messages should be aware that personal and other information contained in electronic correspondence (or printed versions thereof) which are directed to Niagara Region are subject to Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and may be deemed releasable under this legislation, and that the anonymity or confidentiality of the sender and any information contained within the correspondence cannot be guaranteed. Electronic messages reside on systems outside those of domain names owned by Niagara Region, but deemed to be in the custody and control of Niagara Region, may also be releasable under this legislation.

The Government of Ontario maintains a website with free access to Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and other legislation on their e-laws website.


Use of Collected Information

Niagara Region does collect information for commercial and/or marketing purposes. Niagara Region collects and uses only the minimum information needed to meet the purpose for which the collection is required. Niagara Region may sell, exchange, or otherwise distribute the information collected through this website for commercial or marketing purposes.

Niagara Region will not – under any circumstances – use any information provided by visitors for any purpose that is inconsistent with the purpose for which the information was provided, as stated on the web page. A visitor to the Niagara Region website will not receive correspondence or e-mails from Niagara Region on any subject other than those subjects the visitor has given it permission to contact them about.


Information as part of the Public Record

Information submitted through online forms or other formats (e.g. emails, letters, petitions, etc.) may be placed in a public agenda and become part of the public record.

Your personal information will be collected and maintained for the purpose of creating a record and may be available to the general public pursuant to the Municipal Act 2001, the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), and any other relevant Acts.

Do not submit your personal health information through online forms.*

To discuss your personal health information with someone, contact the program or service directly and submit your information over the telephone.

Contact the Freedom of Information and Privacy Coordinator at 905-980-6000, ext. 3741 for more information on Niagara Region’s privacy policies.


Use of “Cookies”

During user interaction with Niagara Region’s Internet site, we may use a browser feature called a “cookie” to collect information anonymously and track user patterns on the website. A cookie is a small text file containing a unique identification number that identifies your browser – but not you – to our computers each time you visit one of our pages. Cookies tell us which pages are visited and by how many people. This helps us enhance the on-line experience of visitors to our website.

Unless you specifically advise us, we will not know who you are, even though we may assign your computer a cookie. We cannot use cookies, by themselves, to disclose the individual identity of any site user, and we never combine information gathered by a cookie with personally identifiable information, such as your name, telephone number, or your e-mail address.

Links to Third Party Sites

This website contains links to other websites that are created and operated by independent bodies and are therefore, not under the control of Niagara Region. These website links are provided as a public service and do not imply the investigation or verification of the linked websites by Niagara Region. Niagara Region is not responsible, and makes no express or implied representations or warranties concerning the products, services and information found on the linked websites.


Use of text, photos and other media

This website is being provided for your personal non-commercial use.

Text contained on this website may be used, downloaded and printed for non-commercial purposes provided the content of the website is not modified, in whole or in part, and that every copy of the downloaded or printed information is accompanied by this disclaimer notice.

Images, photos and other media on this website may have been purchased for limited use from third parties and legally protected by their terms of use. Prior to using, contact the Region’s web manager to determine if the media is protected by copyright.

The information, software and products contained on this website shall not be modified, copied, distributed, reproduced, published, licensed, transferred or sold for a commercial purpose, in whole or in part, without the consent of Niagara Region.


Social Media Disclaimer

For the most part, comments and messages posted to Niagara Region’s official social networking sites are considered transitory records and will not be kept as a permanent record by Niagara Region. In the event that comments and messages are transferred for use on other websites or communication media, users acknowledge and consent by their use of Niagara Region’s social networking sites that their comments or messages may become part of the public record and used in official Niagara Region documentation. It is in the discretion of Niagara Region which comments will be archived or used.

It is not the intent of Niagara Region to collect any personal information when users participate on its social media websites other than what is volunteered to the Region. Comments and messages collected for the public record using social media will be treated like any other form of communication received by the Region.

Niagara Region may monitor social networking content for factuality and appropriateness and will make reasonable efforts to ensure that content it posts is accurate at the time of posting. However, it is in the nature of social networking communications that accuracy and timeliness are not guaranteed and may not be reliable; as such, the user acknowledges that Niagara Region makes no such guarantees. As well, Niagara Region is not responsible for the authenticity or suitability of content posted to the channel by others. Posted comments and images do not necessarily represent the views of Niagara Region.

Niagara Region cannot and does not guarantee your privacy on 3rd party social networking websites as users are subject to the terms and conditions of the specific application. Users should review and agree to the 3rd party terms and conditions prior to participating.

Niagara Region will not be responsible for any losses or damages any user may suffer as a result of using 3rd party social networking websites; users participate at their own risk, for their own benefit and in so doing accept that they have no right of action against Niagara Region related to such use.

Niagara Region reserve the right to edit and/or modify comments and posts that contain content threats, off topic remarks and comments, violations against the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, discriminatory language, expletive language, campaigning, partisan messaging or commercial advertisements or other material deemed inappropriate.


Google Analytics Disclaimer

Google Analytics is a web analysis service provided by Google. We have implemented a feature of Google Analytics referred to as Demographics and Interest Reporting on this website.

The Google Analytics Demographics and Interest Reporting feature allows us to collect data relating to the demographics (age and gender) and interests of visitors to the Digital Content guide website. We collect such data to analyse how visitors engage with our website. We do not collect or store personally identifiable information about visitors.

The data collected via the Google Analytics Demographics and Interest Reporting feature is stored on Google’s servers and is accessible by Google. By using this website, you consent to the processing of the data by Google as set out in Google’s Privacy Policy.

You can opt out of Google Analytics if you disable or refuse the cookie (go to Ads Settings), disable JavaScript, or use the opt-out service provided by Google.


General Disclaimer

Niagara Region does not guarantee in any manner the quality, accuracy, or completeness of any information on this website, or in links provided by this website. A link between Niagara Region’s website and any other website does not imply endorsement or sponsorship of that website, or the creator of that website.

In the event of a discrepancy between the information contained on this website and the information contained in the records of Niagara Region, the information contained in the records of Niagara Region shall be deemed accurate.


Accessibility

Niagara Region is committed to reviewing its practices, processes and the built environment for barriers to access for persons with disabilities. For more information visit the Niagara Region’s Accessibility Plan.


Changes to this policy

Niagara Region will revise or update this policy if its practices change, or as it develops better ways to keep you informed about them. You should refer back to this page often for the latest information and the effective date of any changes.

Contact us for more information.