Privacy
The Grand River Conservation Authority is committed to protecting and preserving the privacy of any personal information you may provide when visiting our website, providing us with information or visiting a GRCA facility.
Any personal information you provide to us is collected, used and disclosed in accordance with the Ontario Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Notices of Collection
A notice of collection statement will be provided any time we collect personal information.
GRCA notices of collection will state:
1. That personal information is being collected by the GRCA;
2. The purpose of that collection;
3. Whether or not personal information will be confidential or will be shared in any way;
4. The authority to collect this information under MFIPPA;
5. GRCA contact information for any privacy or collection questions.
Website
Subscription Services
You may subscribe to receive news and/or other updates from the GRCA. You may also subscribe to our event calendar and our Board Meetings calendar. When you subscribe, you authorize us to send you updates via email. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the email. We comply with Canada's Anti-spam Law (CASL).
By confirming your subscription, you acknowledge that the nature of email transmissions may be subject to delay, interruption, or delivery failure. The GRCA assumes no responsibility for subscribed email transmissions, including the timeliness of such messages or accuracy contained therein, regardless of content or intended usage.
GRCA Flood Messages distributed by email are provided as a supplementary notification service only. Subscribers should not rely on email messages when making decisions about flood safety, including actions to protect themselves, others, or their property, as email delivery may be delayed, interrupted, or fail. The GRCA issues flood messages directly to municipal flood coordinators, municipal staff, and emergency services. Municipalities are responsible for implementing local emergency response plans and communicating with residents as needed.
Real-time Data Disclaimer
Caution: Users of the GRCA's real-time data (e.g., River Data, Maps and Data, etc.) are cautioned to consider the provisional nature of the information before using it for decisions that concern personal or public safety or the conduct of business. The Grand River Conservation Authority assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the information contained in this website nor liability to any user of such information, however disseminated, regardless of the purpose. The Grand River Conservation Authority assumes no responsibility for subscribed email transmissions, regardless of content or intended usage.
Other Online Services
Our website includes several online services, such as to purchase Conservation Areas annual memberships, make a camping reservation, or apply for a permit. These services and the related transactions are done through SSL-encrypted technology. This means that information including credit card payment details are transmitted to us securely. After your transaction is complete, we do not store your credit card or other payment information.
Tracking your website visit
When you visit our site, the web server automatically records the following information:
- Your Internet Protocol (IP) address
- The type of browser and operating system you use
- The date and time you access our site
- The pages you visit
- How long you spend on each page
We use this information to help us make our site more useful to visitors, and to learn about the number of visitors to our site and the types of technology our visitors use.
Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics to help us better understand how our website is used. Google Analytics will save a cookie to your device but will not store, save or collect personal information. For more information please read Google's privacy policy.
Video recordings
The GRCA has video recording systems in place to ensure the safety and security of employees and GRCA property, to assess and implement public safety measures around some GRCA-owned dams, and to assist with flood operations. Video recording systems are currently in place at most GRCA facilities. They are not monitored on a continuous basis and are not an emergency response or rescue service.
A notice sign will be posted at public access points to and within areas under video surveillance, to the extent that it is reasonable. Personal information collected through video recording is collected pursuant to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act as necessary for the proper administration of the GRCA’s operations lawfully authorized under the Conservation Authorities Act, the Occupier’s Liability Act, and/or the Occupational Health and Safety Act, as applicable.
The GRCA recognizes the delicate balance between an individual’s right to be free from invasion of privacy and the need to protect the safety and security of its employees and property. In respecting this balance, the GRCA is committed to integrating security best practices with the responsible use of technology.
More information
For more information, please contact our freedom of information coordinator by phone: 519-621-2761, ext. 2200 or email: espencer@grandriver.ca and include ‘Privacy’ in the subject line.