Policy Statement

This policy establishes the guidelines regarding the Town of Caledon Web site

1. Purpose, Goals & Scope

   The purpose of the Town of Caledon Web site is to provide information about the Town's government services and local attractions. In establishing and maintaining its official Web site, the Town does not intend in any manner to create a forum or other means by which public discourse, exchange of opinions, or discussion on issues of any nature may occur. Rather, the sole and limited purpose of the Town's Web site and permitted external links is to provide information of a factual nature about the Town of Caledon including various services and resources available within and around the Town, or as may be available from other governmental agencies.

   The goals of the Web site are to encourage increased citizen participation in Town government by making public information more readily available to them, provide electronic access to Town information through a logical single point of entry (http://www.caledon.ca/) and to keep the public informed of local/community events.

   The Town of Caledon owns and operates this Web site as an information service to its residents and to the public generally. This Web site is a supplement to, and not a replacement for, information available from town offices. The Town reserves the right to determine what information shall and shall not be placed on this Web site.

2. Copyright

   All materials both textual and graphic are Copyright © 1998 - 2005 by the Corporation of the Town of Caledon and may not be used beyond the confines of this Web site (whose limits are set by its domain name) without the prior permission of the Town. Permission for such uses may be sought by contacting the Webmaster at (mailto:webmaster@caledon.ca)

3. Links / Postings

   The Town of Caledon will grant linking and posting requests on a case-by-case basis. The Webmaster reviews all requests for adherence to these criteria, together with the following considerations:

   • availability of system resources and personnel to monitor and maintain the Town of Caledon Web site;
   • the relationship and importance of the link or posting to the ordinary and necessary functioning of the Town; and
   • the significance and timeliness of materials contained on the linked site or posting.

   The Town's Web site may provide links to other sites that also serve the purpose of encouraging citizen participation in government, promoting local businesses and attractions, and informing the public of useful information. The Town is not responsible for and does not endorse the information on any linked Web site unless the Town's Web site states otherwise. The following criteria will be used to decide whether to grant requests for Town Web site links. If a particular request does not fit any of the following criteria, the Webmaster will decide whether to approve the request. The Webmaster will approve the requested Web site link if it serves the general purpose of the Town's Web site. Declined requests may be appealed to the Web Committee, and then to Senior Management. The Town of Caledon reserves the right to remove a link to inappropriate materials.

   The Town's Web site may provide links to Web sites and postings for:

   • Government and educational institutions
   • Organizations with some relationship to the Town (including but not limited to: organizations contracting with the Town, organizations sponsoring Town activities or programs, and organizations participating in Town activities or programs)
   • Generally recognized community organizations
   • Organizations providing information about art, cultural, and sporting activities in the Town's area
   • Businesses in the Town of Caledon
   • Organizations providing information about employment opportunities in the Town's area
   • Organizations providing information about tourist attractions in the Town's area

   The Town's Web site will not provide links to Web sites for:

   • Candidates for local, provincial, or federal offices
   • Advocates of a position on a local, provincial, or federal issue
   • Corporate or other for-profit organizations unless they fit any of the criteria stated above

4. Logo & Trademarks

   The Town of Caledon's logos and slogans are registered trademarks of the Corporation of the Town of Caledon. Any reproduction of these logos and slogans, other than for municipal use, licensed programs of the Town of Caledon or with the Town of Caledon's expressed permission, is prohibited. Trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All of the material provided on this Web site is the sole property of the Corporation of the Town of Caledon and cannot be duplicated in whole or in part without the express written permission of the Town of Caledon or its legal representatives. All product names mentioned on this Web site are the trademarks of their respective owners.

5. Disclaimers

   Accuracy

   Every effort is made to ensure the information on the Town of Caledon Web site is timely and accurate. However, due to circumstances beyond our control, information and dates are subject to change without notice. The Town of Caledon offers no guarantee regarding the accuracy of the information on these pages or the related graphics published on this server for any purpose. The Town of Caledon hereby disclaims all representations and warranties. Communications via the Web site shall in no way be deemed to constitute legal notice to the Town of Caledon or any of its agencies, officers, employees, agents or representatives, with respect to any existing or potential claim or cause of action against the Town or any of its agencies, officers, employees, agents or representatives, where notice to the Town is required by any federal, provincial or municipal laws, rules or regulations. In the event of a significant difference between the information on this Web site and official information available at town offices, the official information shall prevail.

   The Town of Caledon is neither responsible nor liable for any viruses or other contamination of any system nor for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions arising out of use of this Web site or with respect to the material obtained from this Web site, including without limitation, any material sent via this Web site. This Web site and all materials distributed on it are distributed and transmitted ''as is" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including without limitation, warranties of title or implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

   The Town of Caledon is not responsible for any special, indirect, incidental or .. consequential damages that may arise from the use of, completion or accuracy of financial transactions conducted on, or the inability to use this Web site and/or the materials distributed via the Web site whether the materials distributed by the Web site are provided by the Town of Caledon or a third party.

   Privacy and Public Information

   Personal information provided by users of this Web site is subject to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990. c.M56 and will be used to respond to requests for information and services, or for the purpose for which it is intended.

   Users who submit solicited comments, questions, or other information to the Town of Caledon via this Web site should be aware that the information provided is public information and will be disclosed to any individual upon proper request.

   Persons submitting email comments or questions to the Town or to Town officials or employees, should be aware that the Town cannot guarantee, nor does it represent that such communications will remain private or confidential. Similar to mailed or delivered comments, comments received via email may become subject to public disclosure under MFIPPA and/or part of the discovery procedure in a civil lawsuit.

6. Web Site Committee Size & Structure

   The recommended size of the Web Site Committee is no greater than five but not less than three. The Web Site Committee will consist of members from town staff, who show an interest in the Web site and have been appointed by Senior Management. The members of the committee should represent various departments of the Town of Caledon. The Web Site Committee shall meet on a regular basis (at a minimum bi-monthly).

   During times of redesign and overall update of the Web site, there may be a need to increase the size of the committee and frequency of the meetings at the recommendation of the management team.

7. Webmaster

   Senior Management shall appoint a Web Site Committee and a Webmaster, who is responsible for maintaining the Web site. All information prepared for posting on the Web site shall be routed through the Webmaster. Senior Management is the ultimate authority regarding policy governing the Web site. The Webmaster aims to carry out Town web policies day-to-day, but is subject to the authority of the Senior Management. These policies may include defining the look and feel of the Web site or deciding who may post information on the site. Complaints about any aspect of Web policy should be brought first to the attention of the Webmaster. If a complainant is unsatisfied, he or she may appeal to the Web Site Committee, then to Senior Management. Senior Management reserves the right to make changes to Web policy at any time.