Terms and Conditions

1. Privacy

The Government of Canada, the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces (DND/CAF) are committed to providing websites that respect the privacy of visitors. This privacy notice summarizes the privacy practices for DND/CAF’s online activities.

All personal information collected by this institution is governed by the Privacy Act. This means that you will be informed of the purpose for which your personal information is being collected and how to exercise your right of access to that information.

Your Privacy and the Internet

The nature of the Internet is such that Web servers automatically collect certain information about a visit to a website, including the visitor’s Internet Protocol (IP) address. IP addresses are unique numbers assigned by Internet Service Providers (ISP) to all devices used to access the Internet. Web servers automatically log the IP addresses of visitors to their sites. The IP address, on its own, does not identify an individual. However, in certain circumstances, such as with the co-operation of an ISP for example, it could be used to identify an individual using the site. For this reason, the Government of Canada considers the IP address to be personal information, particularly when combined with other data automatically collected when visitor requests a Web page such as the page or pages visited, date and time of the visit.

Unless otherwise noted, DND/CAF does not automatically gather any specific information from you, such as your name, telephone number or email address. DND/CAF would obtain this type of information only if you supply it to us, for example, by email or by filling in a contact form. In such cases, how your personal information is handled will be provided in a Privacy Notice Statement.

In cases where services are provided by organizations outside of the Government of Canada, such as social media platforms or mobile applications, IP addresses may be recorded by the Web server of the third-party service provider.

The DND/CAF employs software programs to monitor network traffic, and to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information or otherwise cause damage. These programs are also used to gather anonymous information such as statistics to improve the functionality of our websites. These software programs receive and record the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the computer that has contacted our website, the date and time of the visit and the pages visited. We make no attempt to link these addresses with the identity of individuals visiting our website unless an attempt to damage the website has been detected.

The DND/CAF employs a fully automated Anti-Spam Filter to protect its employees and networks from spam. Incoming email messages that are flagged by the software as spam are deleted automatically by the technology without notification. The program is set to block email that is considered obvious spam because of its content (for example, pornographic, racist, get-rich-quick schemes, junk commercial solicitations) as determined by general industry best practice.

Should you be not satisfied with our response to your privacy concern or wish to lodge a complaint with respect to DND/CAF’s handling of your personal information, you may do so by contacting the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

Questions or comments regarding this privacy policy, or the administration of the Privacy Act in the Department of National Defence may be directed to the Directorate Access to Information and Privacy (DAIP) by sending a written request to:

Directorate of Access to Information and Privacy (DAIP)
Department of National Defence
60 Moodie Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K2

Communicating with the Government of Canada

If you choose to send DND/CAF an email or complete a feedback form online, your personal information is used by DND/CAF to respond to your inquiry. The information you provide will only be shared with another government institution if your inquiry relates to that institution. DND/CAF does not use the information to create individual profiles, nor does it disclose the information to anyone other than to those in the federal government who need to provide you with a response. Any disclosure of your personal information is in accordance with the Privacy Act.

Emails and other electronic methods used to communicate with the Government of Canada are not secure unless it is specifically stated on a Web page. Therefore, it is recommended that you do not send sensitive personal information, such as your Social Insurance Number or your date of birth, through non-secure electronic means.

Personal information from emails or completed feedback forms is collected pursuant to the Privacy Act. Such information may be used for statistical, evaluation and reporting purposes and is included in Personal Information Bank PSU 914 Public Communications and will be destroyed following a period of retention of 3 years.

Third-Party Social Media

DND/CAF’s use of social media serves as an extension of its presence on the Web. Social media account(s) are public and are not hosted on Government of Canada servers. Users who choose to interact with us via social media should read the terms of service and privacy policies of these third-party service providers and those of any applications you use to access them.

Personal information that you provide to the Government of Canada via social media account(s) is collected under the authority of the Privacy Act. This information is collected to capture conversations (e.g. questions and answers, comments, “likes”, retweets) between you and DND/CAF. It may be used to respond to inquiries, or for statistical, evaluation and reporting purposes. Comments posted that violate Canadian law will be deleted and disclosed to law enforcement authorities. Comments that violate our rules of engagement will also be deleted. The personal information is included in Personal Information Bank PSU 938 Outreach Activities and will be destroyed following a period of retention of 3 years.

CAF Recruitment/Outreach (Privacy Notice Statement)

The CAF maintains a web presence for recruitment purposes, which collects name, language, and contact information to schedule a phone call with a CAF recruiter or to schedule an individual’s attendance at a CAF recruiting event. The collection of personal information for recruitment purposes is conducted under the authority of s. 4 of the National Defence Act.

The intention of recruitment events is to provide awareness on specific topics or general outreach information related to becoming a member of the CAF.

Personal information collected to schedule a call or event with an individual may be used for program evaluation, reporting, audit, research, and statistical analysis.

Personal information collected is described in Standard Personal Information Bank PSU 938 (Outreach Activities). For the purposes of CAF recruitment, personal information collected is retained for three years after the recruitment event and then destroyed.

Under the Privacy Act, you have the right to access your personal information and request corrections to your personal information. Should you wish to exercise your rights under the Privacy Act, or have any questions about this privacy notice statement, contact DND’s Directorate of Access to Information and Privacy (DAIP) by submitting a Personal Information Request Form online, or send a written request to:

Directorate of Access to Information and Privacy (DAIP)
Department of National Defence
60 Moodie Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K2

Should you wish to lodge a complaint with respect to the handling of your personal information, you may do so by contacting the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

Improving your Experience on Government of Canada Websites

Digital Markers (including cookies)

A digital marker is a resource created by the visitors’ browser in order to remember certain pieces of information for the Web server to reference during the same or subsequent visit to the website. Examples of digital markers are “cookies” or HTML5 web storage. Some examples of what digital markers do are as follows:

• they allow a website to recognize a previous visit each time the visitor accesses the site;
• they track what information is viewed on a site which helps website administrators ensure visitors find what they are looking for.

DND/CAF uses sessional digital markers on some portions of its website. During your on-line visit, your browser exchanges data with DND/CAF’s Web server. The digital markers used do not allow DND/CAF to identify individuals.

You may adjust your browser settings to reject digital markers, including cookies, if you so choose. However, it may affect your ability to interact with DND/CAF’s website.

Cookies are also used as an integral part of the identification process for some of our online applications. This is for security purposes to determine that you are who you say you are and to provide you with your confidential account information during an online session. No personal information is kept in session cookies and they are stored only in your browser’s temporary (cache) memory. When you log out of your session, the cookie is no longer valid and is discarded when you close your browser.

Web Analytics

Web analytics is the collection, analysis, measurement, and reporting of data about Web traffic and visits for purposes of understanding and optimizing Web usage. Information in digital markers may be used in conjunction with computer request data to identify and track your online interactions with the forces.ca website.

Forces.ca uses Google Analytics, Webtrends and log file analysis to improve the website. When your computer requests a forces.ca Web page, the following types of information are collected and used for Web analytics:

• the originating IP address
• the date and time of the request
• the type of browser used
• the page(s) visited
• referral website

Opting out of Google Analytics

If you wish, you may opt out of being tracked by Google Analytics by disabling or refusing the cookies; by disabling JavaScript within your browser; or by using the Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser Add-On. Disabling Google Analytics or JavaScript will still permit you to access comparable information or services from our websites. However, if you disable your session cookie option, you will still be able to access our public website, but you might have difficulties accessing any secure services.

Log File Analysis

Forces.ca uses log file analysis internally and retains information collected for Web analytics for a maximum period of 18 months. After this period, the information must be disposed of in accordance with the Standard on Privacy and Web Analytics or as authorized by the Librarian and Archivist of Canada. The information is not disclosed to an external third party service provider.

Google Analytics Data Collection

Data collected for Web analytics purposes goes outside of Canada to Google servers and may be processed in any country where Google operates servers. Data may be subject to the governing legislation of that country, [for example the USA Patriot Act]. For further information about Google Analytics, please refer to the Google Analytics terms of service.

Information used for the purpose of Web analytics is collected pursuant to section 5 of the Department of Human Resources and Skills Development Act and section 4 of the Privacy Act. Such data may be used for communications and information technology statistical purposes, audit, and evaluation, research, planning and reporting. For more information on how your privacy is safeguarded in relation to web analytics, see the Standard on Privacy and Web Analytics. 

Protecting the Security of Government of Canada Websites

DND/CAF employs software programs to monitor network traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information, or otherwise cause damage. This software receives and records the IP address of the computer that has contacted our website, the date and time of the visit and the pages visited. We make no attempt to link these addresses with the identity of individuals visiting our site unless an attempt to damage the site has been detected.

This information is collected pursuant to section 161 of the Financial Administration Act. The information may be shared with appropriate law enforcement authorities if suspected criminal activities are detected. Such information may be used for network security related statistical purposes, audit, evaluation, research, planning and reporting and is included in Personal Information Bank PSU 939 Security Incidents and will be destroyed following a period of retention of 5 years.

Inquiring about these Practices

Any questions, comments, concerns or complaints you may have regarding the administration of the Privacy Act and privacy policies regarding DND/CAF’s Web presence may be directed to the Directorate Access to Information and Privacy (DAIP) by sending a written request to:

Directorate of Access to Information and Privacy (DAIP)
Department of National Defence
60 Moodie Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K2

If you are not satisfied with our response to your privacy concern or wish to lodge a complaint regarding DND/CAF’s handling of your personal information, you may contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada by telephone at 1-800-282-1376.

2. Using Files Located on Non-Government of Canada Servers

To improve the functionality of Government of Canada websites, certain files (such as open source libraries, images and scripts) may be delivered automatically to your browser via a trusted third-party server or content delivery network. The delivery of these files is intended to provide a seamless user experience by speeding response times and avoiding the need for each visitor to download these files. Where applicable, specific privacy statements covering these files are included in our Privacy Notice.

3. Providing Content in Canada's Official Languages

The Official Languages Act, the Official Languages (Communications with and Services to the Public) Regulations and Treasury Board policy requirements establish when we use both English and French to provide services to or communicate with members of the public. When there is no obligation to provide information in both official languages, content may be available in one official language only. Information provided by organizations not subject to the Official Languages Act is in the language(s) provided. Information provided in a language other than English or French is only for the convenience of our visitors.

4. Linking to Non-Government of Canada Websites

Links to websites not under the control of the Government of Canada, including those to our social media accounts, are provided solely for the convenience of our website visitors. We are not responsible for the accuracy, currency or reliability of the content of such websites. The Government of Canada does not offer any guarantee in that regard and is not responsible for the information found through these links, nor does it endorse the sites and their content.

Visitors should also be aware that information offered by non-Government of Canada sites to which this website links is not subject to the Privacy Act, the Official Languages Act and may not be accessible to persons with disabilities. The information offered may be available only in the language(s) used by the sites in question. With respect to privacy, visitors should research the privacy policies of these non-Government websites before providing personal information.

How to hyperlink to the DND/CAF website

Sites wishing to link to the DND/CAF website do not need to request permission to do so. We do, however, ask that you follow these linking practices:

• Use only text links for linking to the DND/CAF website.
• Do not link and/or use the official symbols of the GoC and Federal Identity Program (FIP) signatures as navigational aids.
• The official symbols of the GoC and the FIP signatures appear on non-government sites only when they are used to identify a government contribution or participation in a Collaborative Arrangement.
• The creation of a link does not confuse the user as to the source of the information through such practices as framing.
• The links provided respect the following Copyright Notice that governs materials published on the DND/CAF websites.

5. Crown copyright protected works

This section has been moved to: Crown copyright protected works

6. Government of Canada Symbols

The official symbols of the Government of Canada, including the Canada Wordmark, the Arms of Canada, and the flag symbol may not be reproduced, whether for commercial or non-commercial purposes, without prior written authorization.

As these symbols are not managed by DND/CAF, a request for authorization must be forwarded to the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat at the following address:

information@fip-pcim.gc.ca
Federal Identity Program
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
300 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Canada K1A 0R5

Telephone: 613-957-2533
Facsimile: 613-946-5187

7. Our Commitment to Accessibility

The Government of Canada is committed to achieving a high standard of accessibility as defined in the Standard on Web Accessibility and the Standard on Optimizing Websites and Applications for Mobile Devices. In the event of difficulty using our Web pages, applications or device-based mobile applications, please contact us for assistance or to obtain alternative formats such as regular print, Braille or another appropriate format.

8. Social Media Notice

This notice has been written to explain how DND/CAF interacts with the public on social media platforms.

Your engagement with us via social media is in part governed by the Terms of Service/Use of the relevant third-party social media platform providers, as well as the following Terms and Conditions. The Government of Canada has no control over the social media platform providers’ Terms of Service/Use, but you are strongly encouraged to read them in addition to those that follow.

Content and Frequency

We use our social media accounts as an alternative method of sharing the content posted on our website, facilitating access to our information and services and providing stakeholders with an opportunity to interact in an informative and respectful environment. By following our social media accounts (by “following,” “liking” or “subscribing”), you can expect to see information about DND/CAF operations, programs and initiatives.

We understand that the Web is a 24/7 medium, and your comments are welcome at any time. You should expect to see new content posted Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST/EDT. Comments submitted after hours or on weekends will be read and responded to as soon as possible.

Because social media platforms and their computer servers are managed by a third party, social media accounts are subject to downtime that may be out of our control. As such, we accept no responsibility for platforms becoming unresponsive or unavailable.

Links to Other Websites and Ads

Our social media accounts may post or display links or ads for websites that are not under our control. These links are provided solely for the convenience of users. The Government of Canada is not responsible for the information found through these links or ads, nor does it endorse the sites or their content.

Following, “Favouriting” and Subscribing

Our decision to follow, like or subscribe to another social media account does not imply an endorsement of that account, channel, page or site, and neither does sharing (re-tweeting, reposting or linking to) content from another user.

Comments and Interaction

We will read comments and participate in discussions when appropriate. We ask that your comments be relevant and respectful. We reserve the right to remove comments and contributions that violate this notice, and the user may be blocked and reported to prevent further inappropriate comments. We will not engage in partisan or political issues or respond to questions that violate these Terms and Conditions.

By submitting a comment on this site, you, as the user, agree to indemnify and hold harmless His Majesty the King in right of Canada including the DND/CAF against any liability and any and all third-party claims, demands, actions or costs (including legal costs on a solicitor-client basis) arising from its publication, including but not limited to breach of confidentiality or copyright, libel, or any obscene, defamatory, blasphemous or other actionable statement you may make.

We cannot engage in issues or answer questions that break the rules of this notice. The DND/CAF will not comment in the case of ongoing investigations, legal proceedings or matters before Parliament. Comments used for party political purposes will not be published. We will take seriously and report to the proper authorities any threats to the DND/CAF, their employees, agents, other users or the federal government.

We reserve the right to edit or remove comments that:

• Contain personal information;
• Include protected or classified information of the Government of Canada/DND/CAF;
• Infringe upon intellectual property and proprietary rights;
• Are contrary to the principles of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Constitution Act, 1982;
• Express racist, hateful, sexist, homophobic, slanderous, insulting or life-threatening messages;
• Put forward serious, unproven or inaccurate accusations against individuals or organizations;
• Are aggressive, coarse, violent, obscene or pornographic;
• Are threatening, violent, intimidating or harassing;
• Are contrary to any federal, provincial or territorial laws of Canada;
• Are offensive, rude or abusive to an individual or an organization;
• Are not sent by the author or are put forward for advertising purposes;
• Encourage illegal activity;
• Contain announcements from labour or political organizations;
• Are written in a language other than English or French;
• Are unintelligible or irrelevant;
• Are repetitive or spam;
• Do not, in our opinion, add to the normal flow of the discussion; and
• Otherwise violate this notice.

In short, please be respectful and make sure that your comments are relevant to where they are posted. The views of users commenting on our social media accounts do not necessarily represent the views of DND/CAF or the Government of Canada.

Accessibility of Social Media Platforms

Social media platforms are third-party service providers and are not bound by Government of Canada standards for Web accessibility.

If you have difficulty accessing content on our social media accounts, please contact us and we will try to solve the problem or provide you with the information in a different format.

Copyright

Information that we post is subject to the Copyright Act.

Privacy

Our social media accounts are not Government of Canada websites and represent only our presence on third-party service providers.

For more information, please refer to our Privacy Notice regarding third-party social media.

Official Languages

Many social media platforms have multiple language options and provide instructions on how to set your preferences. The Government of Canada respects the Official Languages Act and is committed to ensuring that our information of is available in both French and English and that both versions are equal quality.

We reply to comments in the official language in which they are posted. If we think the response is a question of general public interest, we may respond in both official languages.

We may share links that direct users to sites of organizations or other entities that are not subject to the Official Languages Act and available only in the language(s) in which they are written. When content is available in only one language, we make an effort to provide similar content in the other official language.

Questions and Media Requests

Media are asked to send questions to the appropriate Media Contact or submit a media query electronically and refrain from submitting questions to the DND/CAF social media accounts as comments. Reporters’ questions will be removed.