Privacy and Terms

The text, images, data, live or archived audio recordings, live or archived video recordings, multi-media clips, streaming media and other communications (the “Materials”) are provided by The Corporation of the City of Kenora and/or its licensors and may be subject to the rights of third parties. Materials are the property of, or licensed to, the City of Kenora and are protected by intellectual property laws and regulations including relating to copyrights, trade-marks, trade-names, internet domain names, and other proprietary rights.

Access to and use of the Materials are subject to the acceptance of the following covenants, terms and conditions:

1. Users may download one copy of the Materials for the sole purpose of non-commercial personal or private use or study if and only if all copyright and ownership notices contained on the Materials are retained and displayed together with the URL www.kenora.ca or the URL displayed in connection with the Material.
2. In the event that the Materials are cited as having third party rights, the Users shall ensure that they obtain the express written permission of the owner of that copyright before making use of the Materials and shall ensure that ownership is cited.
3. The User shall not in any way alter, manipulate or modify the Materials or otherwise distort the Materials. The User hereby indemnifies the City of Kenora, and/or its licensors for any actions, damages, costs, losses or claims brought or assessed against it for any inappropriate use of the Materials.
4. In the event that the User wishes to make use of the Materials in any other way than is permitted herein, express written permission must be obtained. The right is reserved to deny such requested access, at the owner entity’s sole discretion.

Most of the information accessible on the City’s website does not require you to identify yourself at all. You may access it anonymously; however, the City of Kenora does collect personal information about you when you choose to provide it. We collect only as much personal information as is absolutely necessary to assist you in conducting business with the City through the website.

The City of Kenora endeavours to provide you with multiple service methods for conducting City business, such as in person, by e-mail, by mail, by phone, etc., in addition to the website. If at any time you have concerns about using the website to conduct your City business, you can rest assured that we will always provide you with an alternative (traditional) service method as an option.

We collect and retain personal information for the following purposes:

• To process your requests for services, products or further information
• To communicate with you regarding services or products that you have requested, such as to send you a statement or a receipt
• To identify you if you have a query or concern about the service or product that you have requested
• To advise you about changes to our website services and of service interruptions
• To meet legal and regulatory requirements
• Correcting or updating personal information

If your personal information changes (e.g. name, address, postal code, telephone number, etc.), or you no longer desire our services, we will try to provide a way to correct, update or remove this information. Details of how to do this are usually provided on the website page where the information is collected or displayed.

If we decide to change our privacy statement, we will post those changes in our News and Notices page so that you are always aware of what information we collect, how we use it, and under which circumstances, if any, we disclose it.

The Corporation of the City of Kenora is the sole owner of the information collected on its website. We do not use or retain personal information that you provide to us for any secondary purposes unless we clearly notify you and gain your permission first. We will not sell, share, rent or otherwise disclose your personal information to any organization or individual outside the City of Kenora unless we first notify you and ask your permission.

The exceptions to this policy of non-disclosure are stated below. The City may disclose your personal information, under Freedom of Information:

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

We use IP addresses to analyze trends, administer the site, track clients’ movements, and gather broad demographic information for aggregate use. IP addresses are not linked to personally identifiable information. We may occasionally report aggregated demographic information in the form of reports and statistics but this is not linked to any personal information that can be used to identify any individual person.

Some of the City’s sub-systems require the use of “cookies”. For example, we use cookies when you purchase goods or services over the Internet to save the contents of your “shopping cart” as you proceed from one screen to another. The City uses “session” cookies only (as opposed to “persistent” cookies). Session cookies are small files that are temporarily stored in your computer’s memory and are deleted when you leave the City’s website.

From time-to-time our website may request information from you through a survey. Participation in these surveys is completely voluntary and you have a choice of whether or not to disclose the information requested. Survey information will be used solely for the purposes of monitoring and/or improving the use and satisfaction of this website. If you choose not to participate in surveys, you will still be able to use our website or request services or products from us. 

The City of Kenora takes every precaution to protect your personal information. Questions about the collection of personal information should be directed to the Freedom of Information and Privacy Coordinator.

There may be certain exceptions to the City’s privacy statement. Any and all exceptions will be clearly identified at the moment that information is being gathered. Questions about the exceptions should be directed to the Freedom of Information and Privacy Coordinator.

The City’s website contains links to other websites, such as community links, business links, etc.

Please be aware that the City of Kenora cannot be held responsible for the privacy practices of other websites. When you leave our site, we encourage you to read the privacy statement of each and every website that you visit before you provide any personal information. The City’s privacy statement applies solely to information collected on the City’s website, www.kenora.ca.

By using the Community Events Calendar (the “Calendar”), you agree that any Information such as suggestions, ideas, comments, or event details you send to the City is non-confidential and you have all rights and consents to submit such information. Furthermore, by submitting any solicited or unsolicited information using this Calendar, you grant the City an irrevocable, royalty-free and unrestricted worldwide license to use, modify, reproduce, transmit, display, and distribute such information for any purpose whatsoever to the extent permitted by law. You are responsible for the information that you submit to the City and you agree to defend, indemnify and hold the City harmless for any and all claims related to your submission. The City may update the Calendar from time to time; however, you agree that the City does not guarantee or accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, currency or completeness of the information on the Calendar.

Translations of text and webpages on the City of Kenora website are performed by Google Translate. Google Translate is a free online language translation service which can translate text and web pages into different languages. Please note that not all text may be translated correctly or be translated at all. You agree that when a translation is complete, you assume the risk of any inaccuracies, errors and omissions therein. You agree that the City of Kenora shall not be held responsible or liable for any damages or losses that may result from your reliance upon or use of Google Translate. 

If you have any questions about Google Translate, please read the Google Translate FAQs.

The City of Kenora is committed to communicating with residents in a manner that is accurate, timely, and professional. While the City’s official website, www.kenora.ca, remains its primary online presence, social media platforms serve as an important additional tool for sharing information and engaging with the community.

The City uses social media alongside traditional communication methods to broaden outreach, enhance public engagement, and ensure consistent access to municipal information and services. These platforms support transparency, accountability, and public trust in local government.

By visiting, contacting, or contributing to any of our social media channels, the user agrees to the following the Social Media Terms of Use. If you are under the age of 18, the City requires that you have your parent or legal guardian review and accept these terms on your behalf, as a condition of visiting and contributing to City social media. Social media providers (e.g., Facebook, Instagram) also have their own Terms of Use which should be carefully reviewed and which the user is subject to.

The City invites users to post, share, and discuss on its social media channels while treating each other, City employees, and elected officials with respect in accordance with the commenting guidelines.

The City expects some level of criticism and recognizes the value different perspectives can offer. Online feedback creates an opportunity to listen and respond to public opinion or correct misinformation and disinformation if and where it exists.

Comments made by members of the public are not official communications of the City of Kenora and are not reflective of the City’s views, opinions and/or policies.

Users that post content that do not meet the City’s social media commenting guidelines and Terms of Use may have their comments hidden or deleted. If the user continues to violate these guidelines, the administrator may mute or block the user’s profile from posting on City-owned social media pages.

The City will not tolerate posts or comments that:

• Are unrelated to City services, programs, or projects or to the subject of the post the comment was made on, or are unintelligible or irrelevant
• Are offensive to an individual (including City staff or a representative of the City) or organization, or are profane (including inappropriate language), hateful or defamatory, insulting, rude, abusive, aggressive, or violent
• Promote, foster or perpetuate any form of discrimination
• Contain content of a sexual nature or links to such content
• Conduct or encourage illegal activity
• Are aimed at soliciting business or for marketing purposes
• Contain spam
• Invade privacy, including but not limited to:
  • Sharing information about any identifiable individual including photographs of, information about, names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, identifying numbers, or views and opinions of that individual, and/or criminal, health, employment, financial or other similar natured information
  • Could compromise public safety, security, or City operations, including comments that contain misinformation or disinformation
  • Violate a legal ownership interest of any other party
  • Impersonate or misrepresent someone else, including public figures, City staff, or City officials
  • Do not add to the normal flow of conversation, dialogue, or healthy debate

The City’s does not commit to responding to every communication received through social media; however, the City will make every effort to comment when appropriate, during business hours and within two business days. 

The City may choose not to reply to online inquiries or comments if:

• The comment includes respectful statements of opinion. Users are welcome to express their views even if they disagree with municipal policies, programs, or decisions.
• The comment is respectful and directed at other users in the conversation.
• The comment is intended to incite argument rather than engage in good‑faith discussion.

The City may hide/delete comments or mute/block users for violating the City’s social media commenting guidelines and Terms of Use. 

In the event of users repeatedly violating the City’s social media Terms of Use and commenting guidelines, the City may disable the ability to comment on individual posts and/or all posts on City-owned social media pages. 

The City is not responsible for posts and comments on non-City owned pages by other users. The City is not responsible for any use of City content or materials by other users.

Any person who accesses any social media channels associated with the City, is personally responsible and liable for his, her, their own actions and/or information they post or provide. This includes but is not limited to any collection, usage, or disclosure of the personal information or copyright of other parties without proper consents and in violation of the law. The City shall not be responsible or held liable. By copying or distributing material on City social media channels, the user represents that it has obtained all consents and complied with all laws necessary.

The City shall hold the user fully responsible for any suit, claim, demand, charge, action, expense, cost (including legal fees) or cause of action brought against the City by whomsoever in respect of any injury, damage or loss to person or property caused by or arising from, or in any way connected with the user’s usage and/or conduct on a social media channel associated with the City.

The City is not responsible or liable for any personal information or other information posted on public social media channels. All personal information posted is considered a record available to the general public in accordance with section 27 of The Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (“MFIPPA”). The City may collect such information if authorized by statute, for the purposes of law enforcement, or when necessary for the proper administration of a lawfully authorized activity in accordance with subsection 28(2) of MFIPPA, and under the authority of section 11(1) and 227(c) of the Municipal Act.

Be advised that social media accounts may contain a range of opinions and information which may not be accurate, complete, or current. Any use or reliance on any information shall be at your sole risk and should be verified by you before relying on it. The City is not responsible or liable for the accuracy of any material or information. The views expressed by users or others are their own and the City does not endorse or make any warranty, express or implied, as to any material found on social media. The City shall also assume no responsibility or liability for the security of any information posted and such information may not be secure as third parties, including organizations outside of Canada, may be able to obtain and store it.

The City may follow and/or share content from the social media accounts of its partners. Being followed or liked by the City does not imply endorsement of any kind.

City social media accounts are intended to provide helpful information and resources. However, any information or response from the City should not be considered definitive advice.

This Social Media Terms of Use is subject to change without notice.

Please forward questions or concerns about the City of Kenora’s social media activity or the City’s Social Media Terms of Use to the City Clerk.

Comments made by members of the public are not official communications of the City of Kenora and are not reflective of the Corporation’s views, opinions and/or policies. We reserve the right to modify or remove content that is off-topic, contains advertising, uses offensive or inappropriate language, defames or infringes on someone’s rights, or is in violation of law. To review the full Terms of Use for the City of Kenora social media accounts, please see above.