Disclaimer and Privacy

Sections

• Introduction
• Privacy and access
• Use of collected information (Anti-Spam)
• Information as part of the public record 
• Use of "cookies"
• Links to third-party Sites
• Use of text, photos and other media
• General disclaimer
• Changes to this policy
• Social media disclaimer
• Social media moderation
• Third-party terms and conditions for social media sites
• Accessibility of social media platforms
• Collection of personal information through social media

Introduction

The Town of Grimsby ("The Town") is committed to operating its website as an effective method of communication with interested users. The Town 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 Town 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 the Town 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 the Town, but deemed to be in the custody and control of the Town, 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 - Anti-Spam 

The Town does not collect information for commercial or marketing purposes, and the Town does not sell, exchange, or otherwise distribute the information collected through this website for commercial or marketing purposes. The Town collects and uses only the minimum information needed to meet the purpose for which the collection is required.

The Town 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 Town of Grimsby's website will not receive correspondence or emails from the Town on any subject other than those subjects the visitor has given it permission to contact them about as per the Government of Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation.

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.

Contact the Town's Clerk if you require more information on the Town's privacy policies.  

Use of "Cookies"

During user interaction with the Town's website, 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 online 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 email 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 the Town. These website links are provided as a public service and do not imply the investigation or verification of the linked websites by the Town.

The Town 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 Town's Manager of Corporate Communications and Stakeholder Relations 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 the Town of Grimsby.

Social Media Disclaimer

We welcome you and your constructive comments on any social media platform operated by the Town of Grimsby. Grimsby’s social media sites are designed to promote matters of public interest to the Town of Grimsby, including its many residents, businesses and visitors.

The Town of Grimsby will read comments and participate in discussions when appropriate. Your comments and contributions must be relevant and respectful.

The Town of Grimsby will not engage in partisan or political issues or respond to questions that violate these Terms and Conditions.

Social media moderation

Please note that the Town’s social media platforms are regularly moderated.

Once comments are posted, the Town reserves the right, but assumes no obligation, to remove comments that contain vulgar or offensive language, defamatory remarks or comments that target or disparage any group or individual based on race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status or disability.

The Town of Grimsby reserves the right to remove comments and contributions, and to block users based on the following criteria:

The comments or contributions:

• Contain solicitations, advertisements or spam or include links to other sites
• Are clearly off topic
• Advocate illegal activity
• Either promote or make negative statements regarding non-Town of Grimsby services, products, etc. or political organizations/candidates
• Either promote or make negative statements regarding events of a political nature that are not sponsored by the Town
• Make negative comments about individuals rather than constructively critique ideas
• Infringe on copyrights or trademarks
• Are incorrect or misleading
• Intentionally attempt to derail, hijack, troll or bait others into an emotional response
• Are typed in ALL CAPS (as this denotes shouting)
• Repetitive comments

• Are written in a language other than English or French
• Are contrary to the principles of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Constitution Act, 1982

• Excessively long comments 

• Divulge personal and confidential information
• Make this page a less civil and enjoyable place to be

Although lacking in some necessary detail, here is a good summary of our commenting and posting rules: 1. Be civil.  2. Be on topic.

Those who violate these guidelines may be temporarily or permanently banned from posting on the Town's social media platforms. These actions may be taken with or without warning.

Third-party terms and conditions for social media sites 

Your engagement with the Town of Grimsby via social media is in part governed by the Terms of Service/Use of the relevant third-party social media platform providers, as well as the following Terms and Conditions. The Town of Grimsby has no control over the social media platform providers’ Terms of Service/Use, but you are strongly encouraged to read them.

The Town of Grimsby reserves the right to report users and/or their comments and contributions to third-party social media service providers to prevent or remove the posting of content that is contrary to these Terms and Conditions, or to the Terms of Service/Use of the third-party social media platform.

Accessibility of social media platforms

Social media platforms are third-party service providers and are not bound by AODA standards for web accessibility.

Collection of personal information through social media

For the most part, comments and messages posted to the Town of Grimsby’s official social networking sites are considered transitory records and will not be kept as a permanent record by the Town. 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 Town of Grimsby’s social networking sites that their comments or messages may become part of the public record and used in official Town of Grimsby documentation. It is in the discretion of the Town which comments will be archived or used.

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

General disclaimer

The Town of Grimsby 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 the Town'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 the Town, the information contained in the records of the Town of Grimsby shall be deemed accurate. 

Changes to this policy

The Town 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.