Privacy and Terms of Use

The City of Oshawa collects non-identifying information from users of its website. This information includes the Internet Protocol (I.P.) address, type of browser, date and time of visit and the different webpages visited on the website. The information is used for statistical reporting purposes and to design and improve access to information and services available on our website. We do not combine the information with other information or services to determine browsing habits on websites beyond those operated by the City, or to determine identities.

The City monitors website traffic information using log files on its website server. The purpose is for statistical reporting of how many visitors visit the website a day and how they find information. This information is analyzed and can result in changes to the website content and navigation in order to ensure it meets the needs of community members, businesses and visitors.

Cookie technology captures total and not individual information on visitor use patterns. The cookie is a computer code that tracks "traffic" so the City can determine how effective its websites are in providing information and services to the public. A cookie contains no information that can identify a user personally and the City of Oshawa acquires no knowledge of browsing paths once a user leaves the City’s websites. Apart from providing a performance measure, the data collected by the cookie is otherwise meaningless.

If you have set your browser to warn you before accepting cookies, you will receive the warning message with each cookie. You can refuse cookies by turning them off in your browser. This may disable some features on our site, but all content will remain available to you. You can check your browser's "Help" files to learn more about cookies. 

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 City 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.

The City of Oshawa may collect, use, retain and/or disclose personal information when necessary for the proper administration of a lawfully authorized activity in accordance with provisions of M.F.I.P.P.A.

The City does not automatically gather personal information via oshawa.ca. However, personal information may be required as part of the registration and/or application process for a City program or service.

The City collects 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 meet legal and regulatory requirements.

Whenever you are required to submit personal information, you will be provided with written notice that contains:

• the legal authority for the collection
• the principle purpose(s) for which the information is intended to be used
• the title, business address and business telephone number of an officer or employee of the City who can answer any questions you may have about the collection

If your personal information changes (e.g. name, address, postal code, telephone number, email address etc.), or you no longer desire our services, the City will endeavour to provide a way to correct, update or remove the information.

Questions regarding the collection of personal information may be directed to the City’s Information Access and Privacy Officer, City of Oshawa, 50 Centre St. S., Oshawa, Ontario, L1H 3Z7, 905-436-3311.

• respectful; please keep an open mind and be polite when interacting with other users;
• inclusive; everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate; and,
• on topic; we encourage focused, thoughtful comments and discussion, which respond or relate to a particular topic, initiative or event.

Although we work hard to help you, we can’t guarantee that we will understand your question completely or be able to provide an answer or resolution. By contacting us through social media, you acknowledge and agree that any response we provide you through the same site is:

• intended to provide helpful information or resources; and,
• not considered definitive advice or guaranteed to solve your issue.

While we do our best, depending on the volume of posts received, we cannot guarantee we’ll be able to respond to everyone.

City of Oshawa Content

Any official content posted by the City of Oshawa can be recognized by the page name and the City of Oshawa or Downtown Oshawa profile photo.

Downtown Oshawa social media accounts will be used exclusively to support “destination businesses” within Oshawa’s downtown boundary. From a tourism perspective, destination businesses would include:

• independent shops;
• clothing and furniture boutiques;
• restaurants and bars/clubs;
• music/entertainment venues;
• independent grocery/food businesses; and,
• arts/culture destinations.

At times, other Oshawa social media accounts may also support "destination businesses" within Oshawa's boundaries.

Adult entertainment or related products/services would be excluded from this definition. Any products or services intended for ages 18+ that are offered for take-out only would also be excluded. 

Third Parties

Content shared on City social channels by third parties such as members of the community or partner organizations does not necessarily represent the views of the City of Oshawa.

We reserve the right to take the following actions without notice:

• hide or delete any material;
• ban future posts from users or block users; and,
• use and/or share any post or content along with the name and/or username of the person who made the post.

If you choose to share content on a City social channel, please keep in mind that it must not:

• be stolen content, or content that you do not have the right to post;
• violate any law, rule or regulation or any third party right, promote illegal activity or conduct that would contravene any law, rule or regulation or third party right;
• be abusive, hateful, homophobic, discriminatory, malicious, aggressive, threatening, violent, sexist, harassing, inflammatory, indecent, tortious, defamatory, knowingly false, misleading, deceptive, vulgar, obscene, offensive, scandalous, sexually explicit, and/or profane;
• incite hatred, racism, bigotry, discrimination or physical harm of any kind against any individual or class of individuals based on a protected ground in the Ontario Human Rights Code; or,
• be unsolicited or unauthorized, such as unsolicited or unauthorized advertising, promotional material, "junk mail," "spam," "chain letter," "pyramid scheme," or any other form of solicitation (commercial or otherwise).

Protecting your privacy

The City of Oshawa is not responsible for any personal information or other information posted by third parties and users on public social media websites.

The City may collect, use, retain and/or disclose personal information when necessary for the proper administration of a lawfully authorized activity in accordance with provisions of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (M.F.I.P.P.A.) and the Municipal Act.

Users should be aware that unless otherwise stated, all comments and personal information directed to the City of Oshawa are subject to M.F.I.P.P.A. and may be deemed releasable under the legislation

Social media websites are third party service providers that collect, store and manage personal information whenever users access and use the site. Please refer to the privacy policy for each social media website for particulars. The City of Oshawa does not control how social media websites handle personal information.

All information used for engagement with our social media channels is subject to collection by organizations outside of Canada or storage and access on servers not belonging to the government.

We encourage community members to contact Service Oshawa if personal information must be shared as part of a request (e.g. address for missed garbage collection at a residence, etc.).

Unless you have consent to do so, do not post any personal information belonging to others, including:

• Identifying particulars, such as a picture of a person’s face
• Name, email address, phone number, or address
• Criminal, health, employment, or financial information
• Any identifying numbers (e.g. Social Insurance Number, License Plate Number)

Questions regarding the collection of personal information may be directed to the City’s Information Access and Privacy Officer, City of Oshawa, 50 Centre St. S., Oshawa, Ontario, L1H 3Z7, 905-436-3311.

These Terms of Use are subject to change without notice.

The City's Events & Meetings Calendar is to inform community members about upcoming events in their community and to provide an opportunity to promote community and local meetings and events.

Postings will be approved based on the following criteria:

• Events must be held in Oshawa or, hosted by an Oshawa-based organization.
• Postings cannot be entered more than 12 months in advance.
• Postings must include at least one contact source (phone number, email address, website U.R.L.).
• Events must be open to all members of the public.
• Both free and ticketed events are eligible; however, if there is a fee, the amount must be included in the posting.
• Postings are limited to 10 per month per organization.
• If there are age restrictions associated with a posting, they are to be included in the details.

Please note that images will not be included with calendar postings.

The City will not approve postings that are:

• Personal fundraisers;
• Weekly classes or programs;
• Political in nature;
• Discriminatory to an individual or group;
• Faith based ceremonies or teachings;
• Postings that conflict with any laws, City by-laws, policies or City programs
• Information workshops to solicit customers*;
• For the sale of products or services unless a portion of the proceeds are donated to a not-for-profit organization in Oshawa (Note: the local not-for-profit organization must submit the listing)*;
• Yard sales or rummage sales unless a portion of the proceeds are donated to a not-for-profit organization in Oshawa (Note: the local not-for-profit organization must submit the listing); and/or
• Events for organizations that do not have the required City permits or licences.

* These restrictions are waived for postings included in The Arts category within the Festivals and Events calendar and the Business Events and Workshops calendar.

Disclaimer:

• The City of Oshawa reserves the right to deny submissions at its sole discretion.
• Approval and listing of a posting does not imply endorsement by the City of Oshawa.
• The City of Oshawa is not responsible for any of the information contained in postings made by others, as the individual or group who submits the posting is solely responsible for the information contained within that posting and ensuring that it is accurate.
• The City of Oshawa does not verify the information contained within a posting, and is not responsible for any damages or injury caused by incorrect or inappropriate information posted by others.
• The City of Oshawa reserves the right to edit or delete messages for any reason, in their sole discretion, at any time.
• The City of Oshawa reserves the right to delete a posting for any reason, in their sole discretion, at any time.
• The City of Oshawa reserves the right to modify the calendar posting criteria at any time.

Community Event Planning

The issuance of permits or licenses for community events is not associated with posting events to the online calendar, and it is the organizer’s responsibility to obtain any necessary permits or licenses. Visit our Host an Event webpage, for tips and information on hosting an event in the community.

Property Tax Calculator Terms of Use

1. The City of Oshawa website is providing you with access to electronic information regarding your municipal property taxes upon your acceptance of these terms and conditions;
2. The Taxation information provided through this calculator is strictly for your own personal, non-commercial use. You shall not transfer, sell, trade, pledge, sub-license, assign, lease or disseminate the Taxation information or any copy or print of it in any form whatsoever to any person, association, partnership, organization or any other party. This provision applies even to information which is otherwise in the public domain and to data forms which may not be copyrightable.
3. By using this Tax Calculator, you acknowledge that the City of Oshawa is providing the Tax Calculator on an “as is” and “as available” basis. The City of Oshawa does not make any express or implied warranties, representations or endorsements with respect to the Tax Calculator. In particular, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, you acknowledge that the information provided through the Tax Calculator:
   
   •  Is an estimate only and may not reflect the true amount of property taxes based on the information inputted; •  Is unsuitable for purposes of transacting property sales or any other legally binding matters;
   •  Does not include legislated adjustments, collection costs, administrative fees or other charges;
   •  Does not reflect the actual tax account balance.
4. The City of Oshawa is not responsible for, and will not be liable to you or anyone else, for any damages whatsoever, including any indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages, arising out of or in connection with your use of, or inability to use, the Tax Calculator.
5.  To obtain information certified to be accurate, tax certificates are available from the City Oshawa by contacting Taxation Services by email [email protected].