The Town of Markham appreciates that the communication of personal information is a sensitive issue and further recognizes the need to protect the personal privacy of individuals who become associated with the Town through provision of such.

This document details our measures to ensure respect for your privacy.

Terms & Conditions

Every effort is made to ensure the information on the Town of Markham web site is timely and accurate however, due to circumstances beyond our control, information and dates are subject to change without notice.

The Town of Markham offers no guarantee regarding the accuracy of the information on these pages or the related graphics published on this server for any purpose. All such documents and related graphics are provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. The Town of Markham hereby disclaims all representations and warranties.

Links to third party sites

In the event that you encounter an external link reference or this symbol (), it indicates that you will be leaving the Markham.ca domain and entering an external link. The link provides additional information are meant for convenience only and do not imply endorsement or approval by the Town of Markham, nor can we be held responsible in anyway for the content found on any other linked site. Also, be aware that the privacy protection provided on the Markham.ca domain (see Privacy) may not be available at the external link.

Corporate Policy

The Town of Markham web site will provide links to other organizations, provided these organizations are either a Town service or a related level of government such as a government agency (Provincial, Municipal, Federal), or a public board (e.g. libraries, school boards). In addition, links could be allowed for organizations related to the enterprise or business of a department.

The Town of Markham web site also offers to provide links solicited by Community Groups and Businesses. The former through the Community Resource Coordinator, and the latter through the Website Administrator. All links are allowed subject to the ultimate approval of the Website Administrator.

Requests for Hot Links will be submitted to the Website Administrator for approval based on this policy. Work will then begin to create the appropriate linkages and ensure the URL (Universal Resource Link) links to the appropriate organization.

Logos and their Use

The Town of Markham's logos and slogans are registered trademarks of the Corporation of the Town of Markham. Any reproduction of these logos and slogans, other than for municipal use, licensed programs of the Town of Markham or with the Town of Markham's expressed permission is prohibited. These include, but are not limited to; the Corporate logos (Mark of Excellence, High Tech Capital), the Heritage logo, the Markham Transit logo, the Markham Museum & Historic Village logo, the Frederick Horsman Varley Art Gallery logo and the Markham Theatre for the Performing Arts logo.

Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

For information regarding Town of Markham logos, slogans and their usage, contact the Corporate Communications Department at 905-477-7000, extension 7754.

About the web site

This site is owned and operated by the Corporation of the Town of Markham.

Use of Site - Users are requested to be mindful of legal obligations and of anything that could possibly damage the site. Users are licensed to display on computer and print the information in this site.

For general questions, technical questions and information regarding this site, please contact the Town of Markham Website Administrator at webmaster@markham.ca or 905-477-7000, extension 2290.

Assistance

Please take a moment to email the Website Administrator at webmaster@markham.ca if you have any questions or comments on the Town of Markham's web site, its programs or operations.

The Town of Markham acknowledges and appreciates that the communication of personal information is extremely sensitive and it recognizes the need to protect the personal privacy of individuals who interact with the Town through various means of communication.

The Town is subject to the provisions of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection Act (MFIPPA), which came into force on January 1, 1988. The first part of MFIPPA states that all government information should be available to the public with the exception of specifically enumerated types of information. The second part of the MFIPPA provides for the protection of personal privacy.

The MFIPPA requires that a local government protect the privacy of an individual's personal information that exists in the governmental records and that it follow a privacy protection scheme that includes rules regarding the collection, retention, use, disclosure and disposal of personal information in its custody or control.

For more information, visit the Ontario Information & Privacy Commission web site at http://www.ipc.on.ca/

Providing Personal Information via the Town web site

Most of the information accessible on the Town's web site does not require you to identify yourself.  You may access it anonymously.  However, the Town of Markham does collect personal information about you when you choose to provide it.  We collect only as much personal information as it necessary to assist you in conducting business with the Town via the web site.  The only personally identifying information arising from your use of the Town of Markham web site is what you voluntarily supply.

The Town does attempt to provide you with multiple "channels" for conducting business (i.e. telephone, walk-in, mail-in, fax-in) in addition to the Town of Markham web site. If you have concerns about using the web site to conduct your business with us, please be assured that alternative channels are available.

Why Personal Information is Collected

The Town collects and retains personal information for the following reasons:

• To process your requests for services, products or additional information
• To communicate with you regarding services that you have requested
• To advise you of changes to our web site services and of service interruptions
• To meet legal and regulatory requirements

Use of "Cookie" Technology

Cookie technology captures summary - not individual - information on visitor use patterns.  This is a computer code that tracks "traffic" so we can determine how effective the web site is in meeting informational or service needs.  A cookie contains no personal identifying information and the Town of Markham acquires no knowledge of an internet visitor's browsing path once they have exited our web site. Apart from providing a performance measure, the data collected by the cookie is otherwise meaningless.

Correcting/Changing Personal Information

If your personal information changes (i.e. name, address, postal code, telephone number, email address etc.), or you no longer desire service, the Town of Markham will endeavour to provide a way to correct, update or remove the information.  Details of how to do this are usually provided on the web page where the information is being collected or displayed.

Use and Disclosure of Personal Information

The Town of Markham is the sole owner of the information collected on the site.  The Town does not use or retain personal information that you provide for any secondary purposes unless you have first been notified and your permission has been obtained.  The Town of Markham will not sell, rent, share or otherwise disclose your personal information to any organization or individual outside the Town unless you are first notified and your permission is received, except in the following circumstances.  The Town of Markham may disclose your personal information:

• To companies contracted to process your requests
• For law enforcement purposes
• For purposes of acting in an emergency to facilitate contact with your next of kin or friend if you become injured or take ill

From time to time the Town web site may request information from you via survey or ask permission to send you special offers.  Your participation will be completely voluntary and you will have a choice of whether or not to participate.  Any survey information will be used solely for the purposes of monitoring and/or improving the Town's services and products.  If you choose not to participate, you will still be able to use the web site.

Protection of Personal Information

The Town of Markham takes every precaution to protect your personal information on the web site.  Requiring you to enter a unique Login ID each time you conduct a transaction protects your personal account information.  Please note that your unique Login ID should never be shared with anyone.

If you have any questions or concerns about the security of the web site, you may send an email to webmaster@markham.ca

Exceptions

There may be certain exceptions to the Town's Privacy Statement. Any exceptions will be CLEARLY identified at the time the information is being gathered.

Contact Information
Concerns regarding Privacy issues should be directed to the Website Administrator:

• By Email: webmaster@markham.ca
• By Telephone: 905-477-7000 x2290
• By Mail: Diane Sewell, Website Administrator, Town of Markham, Corporate Communications, 101 Town Centre Blvd., Markham, ON, L3R 9W3

• By Email: kkitteringham@markham.ca
• By Telephone:  905-477-7000 x8220