Website Terms of Use

Disclaimer

The Terms of Use relate to the City of Oshawa's online sites, including but not limited to the City's:

1. Corporate website, www.oshawa.ca and its related webpages (including any Online Services), Connect Oshawa, www.connectoshawa.ca, and Service Oshawa Online, www.serviceoshawa.ca; and,
2. Corporate social media accounts, including but not limited to Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.

The access and use of these "online sites" is subject to the terms and conditions listed below.

Privacy Policy

Protecting the privacy and personal information of individuals is an important consideration in the way we structure our online and offline activities. When visiting our websites there is no requirement to identify yourself.

The City's privacy policy applies only to those sites operated by the City of Oshawa. The City does not control the privacy practices of external sites. Before submitting personal information, each individual should carefully review the privacy policies and practices of these sites.

Collection of Non-Identifying Information

The City of Oshawa collects non-identifying information from your computer when visiting our websites. This information includes the Internet Protocol (I.P.) address, type of browser, date and time of visit, and the different webpages visited by you. This information is used strictly for statistical reporting purposes, and to design and improve access to information and services available on our websites. This information is not combined with other information or services to determine your browsing habits on websites beyond those operated by us, or to identify you personally.

Cookies

Cookie technology captures aggregate and not individual information on visitor use patterns. This is a computer code that tracks "traffic" so we can determine how effective our websites are in providing information and services to the public. A cookie contains no information that can identify you personally and the City of Oshawa acquires no knowledge of your browsing path once you leave our websites. Apart from providing a performance measure, the data collected by the cookie is otherwise meaningless.

Collection, Use and Disclosure of Personal Information

There may be instances where your personal information is required to provide you with information or services. Where your information is required, the amount collected will be limited to the minimum amount and type necessary to provide you with the information or service requested. This information will only be used for the purposes for which it was collected and will not be used to create an individual profile or combined with other information held by the City to create a new database of information. Where the collection occurs a notice will state the legal authority, purpose and the name, address and phone number of the individual who can answer questions regarding the collection. The personal information that you provide will be used, protected and disclosed only in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Accessibility

The City of Oshawa is committed to creating an accessible online environment and to making its web documents available to everyone. However, there may be instances where not all content is in an accessible format such as maps or Geographic Information System (G.I.S.) data; engineering drawings or complex technical data; and legacy applications or data. Should you need assistance in obtaining an accessible alternative for non-accessible content, contact Service Oshawa. To learn more about Accessibility in Oshawa now.

Copyright, Trademark and Visual Identity

All contents of the City's online sites is Copyright © 2015 the City of Oshawa and/or its suppliers, 50 Centre St. S., Oshawa, Ontario L1H 3Z7. All rights reserved. No trademark or service mark licence is granted in connection with the materials contained on the City's online sites.

The City of Oshawa Logo is a registered trademark of The Corporation of the City of Oshawa. Any reproduction of the Logo without the City of Oshawa's expressed permission is prohibited.

Parties seeking permission to use the City of Oshawa Logo must review the City of Oshawa Corporate Visual Identity Manual and complete the Application to Use the City of Oshawa Logo and submit a completed application to Corporate Communications, 50 Centre St. S., Oshawa, ON, L1H 3Z7, by fax at 905-436-5623 or by email to communications@oshawa.ca. Corporate Communications will review and provide feedback/approval within five business days upon receipt of the completed application.

Personal and Non-Commercial Use Limitation

The City's websites are for your personal and non-commercial use. Unless specifically authorized by The Corporation of the City of Oshawa, you may not modify, copy, distribute, transmit, display, perform, reproduce, publish, licence, create derivative works from, transfer, or sell any information, software, products or services obtained from this website.

No Unlawful or Prohibited Use

As a condition of your use of the City's websites, you warrant to the City of Oshawa that you will not use these websites for any purpose that is unlawful or prohibited by these Terms of Use.

Links to External Sites

For convenience purposes, our online sites may contain links to external websites operated by third-parties (e.g. Events & Meetings Online Calendar). The purpose of providing these external links is for your convenience and to avoid duplicating information that is already being maintained by a source organization elsewhere online.

Links to external websites contain information created, published, maintained, or otherwise posted by institutions or organizations independent of the City. The City does not endorse, approve, certify, or control external websites and does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, efficiency, timeliness or correctness of the information located on third-party websites. Reference to any third-party product, service, event or publication does not constitute or imply endorsement, recommendation or favouring by the City of Oshawa, its employees and/or Council members.

Social Media accounts

The City's social media accounts, including but not limited to Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn, serve as a mechanism for disseminating information in a timely manner and enhancing the City's ability to share community news with a wide audience.

Third-party content (including community event information, comments and external links) posted on the City's social media accounts does not necessarily reflect the opinions and position of the City of Oshawa, its employees and/or Council members. The City reserves the right to not post or to delete comments, links and other content that:

• are not topically related to the particular message or online site being commented upon
• are spam
• include foul language or vulgarities
• are offensive to an individual or an organization, rude in tone, or abusive
• solicit/advertise/promote particular services, products, or political individuals, political campaigns, advocacy groups or organizations
• infringe on copyrights or trademarks

Connect Oshawa

What Personal Information Do We Collect?

No personal information is collected in order to view the Connect Oshawa website (the Site); however should you wish to participate in the discussions, surveys or engagement opportunities, you may need a Connect Oshawa account. In order to create an account, the following information is required:

• Email address
• Username/screen name
• Password
• Postal code
• Date of birth

The City of Oshawa will maintain the confidentiality of your email address, password, postal code and date of birth.

Your use of Connect Oshawa may also result in the collection of additional personal information about you, including your opinions on a particular matter or any other personal details you choose to volunteer. Please remember that the information on Connect Oshawa is publicly accessible and any information you post or opinions you provide may be viewed by any other visitor to the Site.

How will my personal information be used?

Your personal information will be used to provide you with access to the engagement tools within the Site and receive your feedback on specific campaigns or issues. It may be used to identify engagement opportunities which may be of interest to you arising from your self-identified location, or age.

Your feedback will be used to improve City services and to develop better public policy addressing issues of significance to Oshawa residents. Results from engagement campaigns will be analysed and interpreted at the discretion of the City of Oshawa.

Your information will not be used by the City in any other manner other than as noted within this policy.

Will you send me emails?

Yes, the City of Oshawa will use email communications to notify you of engagement campaigns you may be interested in. You may choose to opt out, or unsubscribe from these emails at any time using the unsubscribe link included in each email.

Will you sell or share my personal information?

The City of Oshawa will never sell your personal information. As a local government in Ontario, we are subject to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, which imposes a general prohibition against the disclosure of personal information, except in limited and specific instances. The City of Oshawa may be required to disclose your personal information; however we will only ever do so as required by law. For more information on the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, you are invited to review the legislation on the Province of Ontario's e-Laws website.

Connect Oshawa is built upon the Engagement HQ platform provided by Bang the Table Pty Ltd. As the service provider, Bang the Table is responsible for managing and monitoring elements of the Site and will have access to the personal information submitted by you; however they are not permitted to sell, mine or use your personal information other than as noted within this privacy policy.

Do you collect non-identifying information?

Yes, Connect Oshawa collects non-identifying information including:

• Your internet protocol (I.P.) address;
• The type of web browser you have used to access the site;
• The date and time of your visit;
• Any documents you have downloaded from the library; and,
• Any videos or pages you have viewed on Connect Oshawa.

How is this non-identifying information used?

The non-identifying information is used for statistical reporting purposes and to understand how site visitors are using the site. This information will be used to guide enhancements to the tools, services and information available on Connect Oshawa. This information will not be combined with any other information or service to determine your browsing habits on other websites, or to identify you personally.

Who can I contact for more information?

More information on the Connect Oshawa privacy policy beyond what is noted below can be obtained by contacting the City's Freedom of Information and Privacy Coordinator at 905-436-3311 or by email.

Liability Limitations

The material posted on our online sites is not an official statement of City policy, practice, services or procedure, and should not be construed as such. It is intended only to give general information about the City.

While an effort is made to post only accurate information, the City does not guarantee that the information, software, products and services included on its online sites is always current or correct. In the case of a difference between the version presented online and the version in the City's records, the City's records shall be assumed to be correct.

Advice received via this website should not be relied upon for personal, medical, legal or financial decisions and you should consult an appropriate professional for specific advice tailored to your situation.

The City and/or its respective suppliers may make improvements and/or changes to our online sites at any time. The City and/or its respective suppliers make no representations about the suitability, reliability, timeliness, and accuracy of the information, software, products, services and related graphics contained on this website for any purpose. All such information, software, products, services and related graphics are provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. The City of Oshawa and/or its respective suppliers hereby disclaim all warranties and conditions with regard to this information, software, products, services and related graphics, including all implied warranties and conditions of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title and non-infringement.

In no event shall the City and/or its suppliers be liable for any direct, indirect, punitive, incidental, special, consequential damages or any damages whatsoever including, without limitation, damages for loss of use, data or profits, arising out of or in any way connected with the use or performance of our online sites, with the delay or inability to use our online sites, the provision of or failure to provide services, or for any information, software, products, services and related graphics obtained through our online sites, or otherwise arising out of the use of our online sites, whether based on contract, tort, strict liability or otherwise. If you are dissatisfied with any portion of our websites or online accounts, or with any of these terms of use, your sole and exclusive remedy is to discontinue using our website or online account.

City of Oshawa Online Calendar - Posting Criteria

The purpose of the City's online calendar is to inform the public about upcoming events in their community and to provide an opportunity to promote community and local meetings and events.

Postings are allowed based on the following criteria

• Events must be held in Oshawa or, alternatively, hosted by an Oshawa-based organization,
• Postings cannot be entered more than 12 months in advance,
• Postings must include at least one contact source (phone number, email address, website url),
• Events must be open to all members of the public,
• Both free and ticketed events are eligible; however, if there is a fee, the amount must be included in the posting,
• Postings are limited to 3 per month per organization, and
• If there are age restrictions associated with a posting, they are to be included in the details.

The City will not approve postings that are:       

• Personal fundraisers,
• Political in nature,
• Discriminatory to an individual or group,
• Faith based ceremonies or teachings,
• Postings that conflict with any laws, City by-laws, policies or City programs,
• Information workshops for the purpose of soliciting customers*,
• For the sale of products or services unless a portion of the proceeds are being donated to a not-for-profit organization in Oshawa (Note: the local not-for-profit organization must submit the listing)*,
• Yard sales or rummage sales unless a portion of the proceeds are being donated to a not-for-profit organization in Oshawa (Note: the local not-for-profit organization must submit the listing), or
• Events for organizations that do not have the required City permits or licences.

* These restrictions are waived for postings included in The Arts category within the Festivals and Events calendar and in the Business Events and Workshops calendar.

Disclaimer:

•  The City of Oshawa reserves the right to deny submissions at its sole discretion.
• The inclusion of a posting does not imply endorsement by the City of Oshawa.
• The City of Oshawa accepts no responsibility for the information contained in postings made by others.
• The City of Oshawa accepts no responsibility for any damages caused by the inclusion of incorrect or inappropriate information posted by others.
• The City of Oshawa reserves the right to edit messages for grammar and clarity.
• The City of Oshawa reserves the right to modify the calendar posting criteria at any time.

Community Event Planning

The issuance of permits for community events are not associated with the posting of events to the online calendar and are the responsibility of the organizer. Get tips and information on hosting an event in the community. 

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

All matters relating to your access to, or use of, the City's websites shall be governed by the statutes and laws of the Province of Ontario.