Privacy statement
Peel Region is committed to respecting your privacy and protecting your personal information.
This privacy statement explains the current information management practices on our websites.
Our commitment
We are committed to protecting your privacy, whether you are browsing for information or conducting business with the Peel Region through electronic channels.
The handling of all personal information by Peel Region programs is governed by the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).
Health Information Custodians under the Peel Region also ensure that your personal health information is private, confidential, and secure through the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA).
When you visit our websites we will not collect your personal information unless you choose to use and receive online products and services that require it.
For transactions with Peel Region involving credit cards Peel Region uses up-to-date security protocols to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of information and systems.
As a Peel Region website visitor you will not receive phone calls, correspondence, or e-mails from us on any subject other than that for which you asked to be contacted.
You have a choice
If you choose not to use the internet to provide personal information to a Peel Region program you can contact the program by telephone, fax, mail, or in person. (Not all options may be available in every situation.)
Some Peel Region websites use cookies.
Cookies are generally used to make it more convenient for users to move around our websites. If you choose, they may be used to “remember” your password and make it easier and faster to log in to certain sites.
These types of cookies need to be stored on your device (computer, tablet, or smartphone) when you visit specific pages. Cookies used by Peel Region are encrypted to make the information in cookies unreadable to anyone except the Peel Region program with which you are dealing.
The cookies we use:
- Do not give us access to anything on your hard drive.
- Cannot do anything to your computer.
- Are encrypted for security purposes to make any information in the cookie unreadable to anyone except the Peel Region program with which you are dealing.
Peel Region programs use 2 types of cookies: session cookies (temporary) or persistent cookies (longer-term continuing use).
Session cookies may be used to support on-line feedback or discussion, forms, registration, and “e-commerce or shopping cart” transactions. These types of cookies are used only during your online session and expire when you close your browser. Without session cookies, moving around our websites could be much slower.
Persistent cookies are stored on your computer’s hard drive for some length of time. They are usually used if you want us to remember information about your web preferences (for example, large font) and passwords for automatic login.
Managing your cookies
You can choose whether to allow cookies.
Most browsers accept them automatically, but you can change your settings to block cookies if you prefer. Blocking cookies might limit some features, like logging in to secure areas.
To serve you better, we use web analytics services to make our website easier to use, keep content accessible, and understand how people use our services. These tools use cookies and similar technologies to collect information about your visit.
Google Analytics 4 (GA4)
We use GA4 to understand website traffic and how people use our site.
- What GA4 collects: GA4 collects metadata such as device type, browser version, approximate geographic location (city or region), and user interactions like clicks, scrolls, and file downloads.
- Privacy measures: GA4 does not log or store IP addresses. Data is combined so individuals cannot be identified.
- Opt-out: You may opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
Siteimprove
We use Siteimprove to monitor website performance, fix broken links, improve accessibility, and understand how visitors use our websites.
- What Siteimprove collects: Siteimprove collects information about your device, browser, and the pages you visit.
- Privacy Measures: Siteimprove works as a “first-party analytics” tool. This means it is operated and controlled by the same organization that owns the website you’re visiting. Siteimprove also hides your IP address so you cannot be identified.
- Opt-out: You can opt out of Siteimprove tracking by disabling cookies in your browser or by using browser-based tracking protection features.
For details on Siteimprove data practices, review the Siteimprove Privacy Policy.
GetFeedback
We use GetFeedback to collect voluntary feedback from our visitors to improve online services.
- What is collected: If you choose to interact with a feedback widget, we collect the responses you provide. GetFeedback might also collect metadata such as your device type, operating system, and the specific page you were viewing when you submitted feedback.
- Privacy Measures: Responses are collected anonymously unless you choose to provide personal information. Avoid entering sensitive personal information (such as credit card numbers or health data) in open-text feedback fields.
- Optional: Participation is optional and you may choose not to submit feedback.
Peel Region’s management of personal information is governed by the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Service providers under contract to provide online services on behalf of Peel Region must follow the practices required of our programs.
This privacy statement explains our current practices regarding which Peel Region programs may collect, use, and secure when you visit our websites. In addition, some Peel Region programs may post further detailed statements related to their specific programs. Those statements supplement this privacy statement.
Types of information collected
When you browse or download information from Peel Region websites, our servers collect limited amounts of information for traffic and performance monitoring to help improve our sites.
We collect the following standard types of information:
- Internet Protocol (IP) addresses of the computers being used to access our sites
- Operating systems and the types and versions of browsers used to access our sites
- Internet Service Providers used by visitors to our sites
- Dates and times users access our sites
- Pages visited
- Keywords users enter into our search engine
- Names and sizes of files requested
Peel Region websites collect the above-noted information to provide citizens with access to information and services available on our websites.
Peel Region’s computer systems use hardware and software to anonymously monitor unauthorized attempts to upload or change information at Peel Region websites, disrupt service, or otherwise cause damage.
As a general practice, we make no attempt to link this information with the identity of individuals visiting our sites. If an attempt to damage our site has been detected, we can take further actions.
Sending personal information online
You may choose to provide us with personal information such as your name, address, phone number, e-mail address and credit card number, when you:
- Submit an e-mail, comment, question or request or subscribe for information online.
- Request a service or fill out a registration or form online.
- Provide feedback or participate in consultations or surveys online.
- Conduct e-commerce transactions with a program.
When you visit a website for a Peel Region program, any personal information you provide will be used to respond to your message and/or provide you with the requested service (or both).
The collection of personal information by Peel Region programs must be in accordance with section 28(2) of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. This section of the Act requires Peel Region programs to collect only the personal information that is necessary for the administration of a Peel Region program.
At the time the information is collected, you will be informed of the specific purpose for which it is being collected.
Accountability for privacy protection
Peel Region Council has appointed the Regional Clerk as the “head” of the institution for the purposes of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
The Clerk has delegated the responsibilities of the day-to-day administration of MFIPPA to the Access to Information and Privacy program. The Act requires Peel Region to protect the personal information in its possession.
The Information and Privacy Commissioner (IPC) oversees whether Peel Region complies with the access and privacy provisions of MFIPPA by investigating privacy complaints and hearing appeals regarding access decisions made by the Peel Region.
Security safeguards
Peel Region’s security practices are continually evolving to ensure that the integrity and confidentiality of information and systems are maintained.
Peel Region uses up-to-date security safeguards to protect its networks and websites from misuse, alteration, copying, disclosure, destruction, monitoring, or unauthorized sharing of information and damage.
Peel Region’s safeguards include the use of security software and encryption protocols and involve physical, technical, and procedural controls to protect information behind the Peel Region firewall.
Accessing and correcting personal information
Some Peel Region online services may provide the ability for internet users to correct their own information online. Individuals also have a right to access their personal information that is held by a Peel Region program by making an access request under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). Access is subject to limits and exceptions outlined in MFIPPA.
For more information on the process for accessing your personal information, access Accessing Personal Information. You can request that Peel Region programs correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
Protecting your online activities
Users are encouraged to learn about protecting their own computers to ensure that their online activities remain private and their home network is secure.
Digital access and website use
If you have a question or concern about website privacy and digital access, email our digital team.
Peel Region privacy practices and policy
If you have a general question or concern about privacy practices or the administration of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act in Peel Region programs, call the Manager, Access to Information and Privacy at 905-791-7800 ext. 4384, email the Access to Information and Privacy Office, or write to:
Office of the Regional Clerk,
Access to Information and Privacy
10 Peel Centre Drive, Suite A, 5th Floor,
Brampton, ON L6T 4B9