Privacy Statement

The Regional District of Central Okanagan (the “Regional District”) respects your rights to privacy and is committed to the protection of your personal information, under its control and custody, pursuant to BC’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA).

Personal Information is collected in accordance with section 26 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA).

Collection of Personal Information

The Regional District of Central Okanagan will not collect personally identifying information about you without your consent or unless you supply it voluntarily such as via email, phone or to register for a service, program or set up an account.

Either before or when we collect your personal information, the purposes and intended use will be identified and explained to you and limited to that which is necessary for the purposes The Regional identified by the Regional District and collected by fair and lawful means.

The Regional District of Central Okanagan will only collect your personal information with your consent by providing notice for  the purpose and intended use of this information.

Your personal information being collected is specifically limited to the purpose for which it is being used and will never be used for any other purpose without your express consent.

The Regional District of Central Okanagan Website

When you visit the Regional District website, the Regional District’s web server automatically collects a limited amount of information essential to the operation and evaluation of the Regional District’s website. This information includes:

• the page from which you arrived,
• the date and time of your page request,
• the Internet Protocol (IP) address your computer is using to receive information,
• the type and version of your browser, and
• the name and size of the file you requested.

This information is not used to identify individuals who come to the Regional District’s website.

This information is only used to assess the Regional District’s information services and is collected in accordance with Section 26 of BC’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIPPA) Act.

Cookies

Cookies are temporary files that may be placed on your PC while you visit a website. Cookies are used to track how visitors use the Regional District’s website, but the Regional District does not store personal information through cookies, nor does The Regional District collect personal information from you without your knowledge as you browse this website. Any cookies on the Regional District’s website are used to assist in the collection of anonymous statistical information such as:

• browser type
• screen size,
• traffic patterns,
• pages visited.

This information helps the Regional District improve both the Regional District’s website and its service to citizens. It is not disclosed to any third parties. However, if you are concerned about cookies, you can adjust your web browser to reject all cookies. All site features should function normally if cookies are disabled.

Protection of Personal Information

Personal information under the custody and control of The Regional District is protected by security safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the personal information in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA).

Security and IP addresses

Any personal information you submit to the Regional District is secured once it reaches the Regional District’s server. However, the Regional District cannot guarantee the security of your information before it reaches the Regional District’s server.

Your computer uses a unique IP address when browsing the Internet. The Regional District may collect IP addresses to monitor any security breaches on the website and other online services. No attempt is made to identify users or their usage patterns unless unauthorized use of the Regional District’s website is detected or is required for a law enforcement investigation. IP addresses are stored for a term that complies with the Regional District’s existing auditing requirements.

Use and Disclosure of Personal Information

We may release your personal information, only as necessary, to third parties only in limited circumstances authorized in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIPPA) Act. Some of these circumstances are:

• where we have your written consent,
• where departments within Regional District required to assist in serving you, or
• where we are required or permitted to do so by law.

Your personal information will not be used for any purpose that is not consistent with the purpose for which it was originally collected, unless we contact you and ask for your consent, or as required by law.

Your personal information is not disclosed except to authorized personnel for the purpose of responding to your requests or, providing and discharging a service. If we wish to use your information for any other purpose, we will contact you and obtain written consent.

Retention of Personal Information

Pursuant to Section 31 of Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIPPA) Act, your personal information is retained for a minimum of one year.

Personal information will be retained for only as long as it is required for those purposes for which it was originally collected and for the fulfillment of those purposes.

Your right to review your personal information.

Upon your written request, you may be informed of the existence, use, and disclosure of your personal information and you will be given access to your information that we retain.

You will also be able to challenge the accuracy and completeness of your personal information and have it amended as appropriate.

There are very limited circumstances, pursuant to Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIPPA) Act, where access may not be granted

Privacy and External Links.

The Regional District’s website contains links to external sites that are not associated with the Regional District. The Regional District is not responsible for the content and the privacy practices of these other websites, and the Regional District encourages you to examine each site's privacy policy and disclaimers before providing any personal information.

If you have any further questions or concerns about the collection, use, access, disclosure, and protection of your personal information at Regional District of Central Okanagan, please do not hesitate to contact the following:

Privacy Officer,

Corporate Services

1450 KLO Road

Kelowna, BC V1W3Z4

Confidential email: foi.privacy@rdco.com

Phone:  250-469-6224