PRIVACY POLICY
Privacy Statement
Access to and use of this website is provided by the BC Provincial Capital Commission for reporting, education and promotion, and is meant to be accessible to everyone. Within this context, the commission respects the privacy and the integrity of any information that you provide as a contributing user of the website. The commission complies with Canada’s privacy laws, and has created the following privacy policy to govern the use of our website.
Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy
The BC Provincial Capital Commission is committed to protecting the privacy of people whose personal information is held by government through responsible information management practices. Any personal information provided to the BC Provincial Capital Commission is collected, used and disclosed in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act or other applicable legislation.
What is Personal Information?
Personal information is recorded information about an identifiable individual. Personal information includes such things as an individual’s name, address, birth date, e-mail address and phone number. When the BC Provincial Capital Commission collects personal information it must identify:
- the purpose for collecting the personal information,
- the legal authority for collecting it, and
- the title, business address and business telephone number of an officer or employee of the ministry or other government body who can answer your questions about the collection of that information.
Information collected directly from you
Personal information collected, used, disclosed and retained by the BC Provincial Capital Commission website is done so under the authority of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act or other relevant legislation. Personal information will only be used by authorized staff to fulfill the purpose for which it was originally collected, or for a use consistent with that purpose unless you expressly consent otherwise. We do not disclose your information to other public bodies or individuals except as authorized by the FOIPP Act.
The BC Provincial Capital Commission does not collect personal information about you unless you knowingly and voluntarily provide it to use specific online services. However, if you choose not to provide the information required for online services you will still be able to access government services by traditional methods such as personal contact, fax or mail. Your decision not to participate in electronic service delivery activities will not impair your ability to browse the web site, read or download any information provided on the site.
What kind of information is being collected?
If you visit the BC Provincial Capital Commission website (www.bcpcc.com), to browse, read pages, or download information, we may gather and store certain information about the visit. The following information is automatically collected and stored:
- The type of browser and operating system;
- The date and time of the visit; and
- The web pages or services accessed.
Information collected automatically is used for purposes such as assessing system performance, improving web services and web site management. The BC Provincial Capital Commission does not use this data to determine your identity.
The Provincial Capital Commission does not collect or store data pertaining to Internet Protocol Addresses and domain names used. The Internet Protocol address is a numerical identifier assigned either to your Internet service provider or directly to your computer. This address can be translated to determine the domain name of your service provider (e.g. gov.bc.ca, xcompany.com or yourschool.edu).
Website usage information
Minimal information concerning the use of this website is gathered through “traffic data” captured in standard web logs and through feedback. Any information gathered as a result of using our website is within the guidelines and restrictions outlined in federal and provincial privacy legislations. This information will not be sold, traded and/or rented to others. From time to time aggregate statistics about online visitors, traffic pattern and related site information may be provided to a third party, but these statistics will not include any personal information.
Respect DoNotTrack preference
The PCC respects user preference and will not track visitors that have specified they do not want to be tracked in their web browsers.
Web analytics opt out
An additional option to opting out of web analytics is to check the box as indicated below. This will set an opt-out cookie in your browser.
General policy and feedback
Any personal information gathered through www.bcpcc.com from contributing users is not provided to third parties. You will not receive any emails you have not requested. Comments regarding this policy may be submitted via the Website’s Feedback Form or by emailing us at info.pcc@bcpcc.com.
What safeguards are in place?
The BC Provincial Capital Commission is obligated to protect your personal information by making reasonable security arrangements against such risks as unauthorized access, collection, use, disclosure or disposal. Security measures have been integrated into the design, implementation and day-to-day operating practices as part of government’s continuing commitment to the protection of personal information it holds.
How long is information retained?
The length of retention will vary in relation to the nature of the service. If the BC Provincial Capital Commission uses your personal information to make a decision that directly affects you, it must retain that information for at least one year so that you have a reasonable opportunity to obtain access to it. Information collected or created by the BC Provincial Capital Commission is maintained in accordance with government’s records retention schedules and other legislative requirements.
How can I access and correct information I submit to a web site?
You can review any personal information collected about you by submitting a Freedom of Information request. You may request changes or annotate your personal information if you believe it to be inaccurate by submitting a written request describing the error.
Use of site by children
Parents, guardians and teachers are encouraged to spend time online with children and to participate in the activities made available through this website. No content and/or information, especially content and/or information of a personal nature, should be submitted, posted and/or published by children 12 years of age or younger without the consent and involvement of a parent, guardian or teacher.
What kind of information is being collected?
If you visit the BC Provincial Capital Commission website (www.bcpcc.com), to browse, read pages, or download information, we may gather and store certain information about the visit. The following information is automatically collected and stored:
- The type of browser and operating system;
- The date and time of the visit; and
- The web pages or services accessed.
Information collected automatically is used for purposes such as assessing system performance, improving web services and web site management. The BC Provincial Capital Commission does not use this data to determine your identity.
The Provincial Capital Commission does not collect or store data pertaining to Internet Protocol Addresses and domain names used. The Internet Protocol address is a numerical identifier assigned either to your Internet service provider or directly to your computer. This address can be translated to determine the domain name of your service provider (e.g. gov.bc.ca, xcompany.com or yourschool.edu);
Cookies
A cookie is a small text file that is sent to your browser from a website and stored on your computer’s hard drive. Sessional cookies are used to help you move around our web site and do not store personal information. Sessional cookies are valid only during the time you are actually using the web site.
The BC Provincial Capital Commission does not use persistent cookies (which may store personal information) but may use sessional cookies (which do not store personal information).
If you are concerned about the use of cookies, the commission suggests that you explore your browser’s options to notify you whenever a cookie is sent, or to disallow cookies altogether. Users should be aware, however, that prohibiting the use of cookies may restrict the user’s access to certain types of content or features.
Rev: March 2013