1. PREAMBLE
This policy establishes the confidentiality and personal information protection parameters collected by the MRC of Témiscamingue and specifically pertains to the use of the MRC’s website.
2. PURPOSE OF THE POLICY
The MRC of Témiscamingue is a public organization subject to laws including the Act respecting access to documents held by public bodies and the protection of personal information (RLRQ, Chapter A-2.1) and the Act to establish a legal framework for information technology (RLRQ, Chapter C-1.1).
This policy defines how the MRC of Témiscamingue (hereinafter referred to as the MRCT) protects personal or confidential information and specifies the standards for collection, use, communication, retention, access rights, and correction of such information.
3. PROTECTION OF PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
As part of its activities and services offered to citizens, the MRCT collects personal information through various means, including verbally, in writing, and via forms accessible on its website.
The MRCT commits to respecting the applicable legal provisions, values, and fundamental principles. The personal information collected by the MRCT is used, among other purposes, to process requests, fulfill its administrative and legal obligations, identify individuals, document files, etc.
The MRCT ensures the implementation of necessary measures to guarantee transparency and confidentiality for the information provided to obtain the desired services.
Personal and confidential information includes all data that allows the identification of individuals, except as provided by applicable laws, and is voluntarily submitted to the MRCT by individuals.of such information.
4. CONSENT, COLLECTION, AND RETENTION OF PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
In compliance with applicable laws, when collecting personal and confidential information, the MRCT clearly indicates the purposes for which the information is collected and requests users’ consent for such usage. The MRCT must obtain new consent to use previously collected information for other purposes.
Personal information is stored solely for reference, communication, and identification purposes. Unless a formal request is made for the data to be deleted, personal information is retained indefinitely.
We certify that personal information will not be given, loaned, or sold to any party, and no unsolicited communication will be sent.
5. INFORMATION SECURITY
The personal information communicated to the MRCT may, in certain circumstances, be stored outside of the country. In such cases, the MRCT will make every effort to ensure a level of protection equivalent to that offered for data stored within Canada and will ensure that all applicable legal requirements are met, including those related to data protection.
The MRCT has implemented various measures to ensure that personal and confidential information is protected against risks. These measures include physical, administrative, and technological security processes deemed reasonable by the MRCT given the sensitivity of the information collected and the methods of storage.
6. DURATION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION RETENTION
Personal information is retained only for the period necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, subject to the MRCT’s retention schedule, as adopted in accordance with archival laws.
Individuals are encouraged to keep their personal information up-to-date so that the MRCT has accurate, complete, and current information when it is needed.
7. USER RESPONSIBILITY
By using the MRCT’s website, users confirm that they have read and understood these terms of use and agree to comply with them, including any modifications that may be made.
Users commit to keeping their personal information up-to-date and are responsible for the information they transmit to maintain its confidentiality. They must also ensure that the system or equipment through which they send or receive information from the MRCT is secure, and they should remain vigilant. The MRCT is not responsible for unauthorized access to information due to negligence or vulnerabilities in the user’s equipment or system.
8. COOKIES
The MRCT uses analytics tools (such as Google Analytics) on its website. These tools allow the collection, analysis, measurement, and presentation of data on visits made to help understand and optimize the use of the website. The cookies used by the MRCT do not collect personal information about the user. Users can modify their browser’s privacy settings at any time to block cookies.
The MRCT uses these cookies to track, among other things:
- the number of visitors;
- the most frequently viewed pages;
- referring sites;
- users’ country of origin.
9. LINKS TO OTHER SITES
The MRCT’s website may contain hyperlinks to sites managed by third parties. By clicking on these links, users may leave the MRCT’s website. In such cases, the MRCT is not responsible for the content of these sites and does not endorse it. The fact that third-party sites are presented on the MRCT’s website should not be interpreted as validation by the MRCT, and it does not imply any responsibility. Any complaints about third-party sites should be directed to their administrators.
10. RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS REGARDING PERSONAL INFORMATION
Except in certain cases, individuals have the right to be informed of the existence of any personal information concerning them and to receive this information.
If personal information is incorrect, incomplete, or ambiguous, or if its collection, communication, or retention is not permitted by law, individuals may request that it be corrected or deleted.
These rights are exercised by contacting the MRCT’s information access and personal information protection officer.
11. HANDLING OF COMPLAINTS RELATED TO PERSONAL INFORMATION PROTECTION
Anyone who believes that their personal information has been handled inappropriately, or who feels that the law was not respected in their case, may file a complaint regarding the collection, retention, use, communication, or destruction of their personal information.
Complaints are handled confidentially. Personal information is protected and only accessible to authorized persons who consult it as part of their duties.
Complaints should be submitted in writing to:
Mr. Sami Bdiri
Deputy Clerk-Treasurer
21, rue Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes, Office 209
Ville-Marie (Québec) J9V 1X8