Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy explains how Canada Climate Reference collects, uses, and shares information when you visit this website or contact us. The policy is intended to be clear and concise so readers can understand what personal data may be involved when they submit inquiries or interact with site features. Our primary focus is educational content about Canada’s climate and weather; we do not provide personalized services that require extensive personal data collection. When we do process personal information it is for the purpose of responding to inquiries, managing site functionality, and complying with legal obligations. We describe below what categories of information may be processed, how those data are used, the legal bases for processing where applicable, how long data are retained, and the rights available to individuals. Contact details for privacy-related requests are included at the end of this policy. This policy applies to visitors and users of canadaclimate.org and related pages hosted under this domain.
Information We Collect
We collect two broad types of information: (1) information you provide directly when you contact us or submit forms, and (2) technical information collected automatically when you use the website. Information you provide directly may include your name, email address, phone number, organization, and the content of your message or inquiry. This information is used to respond to requests and to manage communications for educational purposes. Technical information collected automatically includes device and browser details, IP addresses in anonymized or partially masked form for security, date and time of access, referring pages, and anonymized usage statistics. We use cookies and related technologies to enable basic site functionality and to remember user preferences. We avoid collecting special-category personal data via public forms and do not require users to provide sensitive information. If sensitive information is provided unintentionally through an inquiry, we will handle it in accordance with applicable law and minimize retention where appropriate.
How We Use Information
Information provided directly by users is used to respond to inquiries, verify sources, and support educational collaborations. Contact data enable staff to reply and to provide requested references or clarifications related to the material on this site. Technical and usage information is used to maintain site security, improve usability, and produce aggregated analytics that help prioritize content improvements. We may combine information from different sources when necessary to fulfill a request or to investigate misuse of the site. Data are processed on lawful grounds including the legitimate interest of providing and securing an educational website, and where required for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest. We do not use personal data for advertising or marketing purposes beyond operational communications. Any targeted communications related to educational collaborations are provided only with explicit consent and may be opted out of at any time.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
This site uses a limited set of cookies and similar technologies. Essential cookies are necessary for site functionality, such as maintaining the state of the cookie consent widget, preserving form inputs during a session, and enabling navigation. Non-essential cookies, when present, are used to collect anonymous usage metrics that help improve site structure and content. The cookie consent control in the lower-right corner allows visitors to accept or reject non-essential cookies. When non-essential cookies are rejected they are not set and tracked analytics are disabled. Third-party components used for feature functionality may set their own cookies; these are described where relevant and, when possible, are governed by the consent choices you make on this site. Users can manage cookie settings using their browser controls and may remove cookies at any time. Blocking or removing cookies may affect some aspects of site usability but will not prevent access to the educational content itself.
Data Retention and Security
We retain personal data for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy and to meet legal obligations. Contact form submissions and associated contact details are kept only for the period required to respond to an inquiry and to maintain a record of the interaction for administrative purposes; in typical cases this period does not exceed two years unless further retention is needed to complete an ongoing collaboration or to comply with a legal requirement. Technical logs used for security and diagnostics are retained for a limited period and are reviewed when relevant to site integrity. We employ reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards to protect information against unauthorized access, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include access controls, routine software updates, encrypted transport for data in transit, and restricted permissions for staff handling personal data. No system can be guaranteed entirely secure, and if a security incident affects personal data we will follow applicable notification obligations under relevant law.
Your Rights and Choices
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have rights with respect to personal data we hold about you. These can include the right to request access to a copy of your personal data, request correction of inaccurate information, request deletion of your data where processing is no longer necessary, and object to certain processing activities. To exercise any privacy rights, please contact us using the details provided below. We will respond to verifiable requests within a reasonable period and in accordance with applicable legal requirements. You may also withdraw consent to any communications previously granted, and you can manage cookie preferences via the on-site cookie control or your browser settings. In cases where third-party processors retain copies or backups, we will take reasonable steps to honor deletion requests subject to technical feasibility and the need to comply with legal obligations. If you believe your rights have not been respected, you may reach out to the appropriate supervisory authority for further guidance.
Third-Party Links and Services
The website may include links to external resources or use embedded content provided by third parties. When you follow links to external sites, those sites have their own privacy practices and are not covered by this Privacy Policy. We review third-party services to select reputable providers, but we do not control their data practices. Where third-party analytics or content services are used, we endeavor to choose vendors that provide data protection safeguards and to make their use clear to visitors. If you interact with third-party features, please review the privacy policies of those services to understand how they handle information. We do not knowingly share personal data with third parties for marketing purposes without explicit consent from the individual concerned, and shared data are limited to what is necessary to provide the requested administrative or collaborative service.
Contact and Complaint Information
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your privacy rights, contact our privacy representative using the following details: Canada Climate Reference, 122 Maple Street, Suite 300, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A9, Canada; Phone: +1 (613) 555-0123; Email: [email protected]. We aim to respond to privacy inquiries promptly and to resolve concerns in a transparent manner. If you remain unsatisfied after contacting us, you may direct a complaint to the relevant data protection authority in your jurisdiction. This Privacy Policy is subject to periodic review. Material changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date so that visitors can see when the policy was last revised.
