Terms and Conditions

Copyright / Permission to reproduce material

Ownership and usage of content provided on this site

Materials on this website were produced and/or compiled by Library and Archives Canada (LAC) for the purpose of providing Canadians with access to information about the programs and services offered by the Government of Canada.

Some of the content on this site may be subject to the copyright of another party. Where information has been produced by another party or copyright is not held by the Government of Canada, the materials may be protected under the Copyright Act and international agreements. Details concerning copyright ownership are indicated on the relevant page(s). To obtain additional information concerning copyright ownership and restrictions, please contact Copyright Services at LAC.

Non-commercial reproduction

Unless otherwise specified, you may reproduce materials in whole or in part, in any format, if the work is not being revised or translated, for non-commercial purposes or for cost-recovery purposes without charge or further permission, provided you do the following:

• Exercise due diligence in ensuring the accuracy of the materials reproduced;
• Indicate both the complete title of the materials reproduced, as well as the author (where available); and
• Indicate that the reproduction is a copy of the version available on the web [insert URL where the original document is available].

Commercial reproduction

Unless otherwise specified, you may not reproduce materials from this site, in whole or in part, for the purposes of commercial redistribution or if the work is being revised or translated, without prior written permission. To obtain permission to reproduce Government of Canada materials held at LAC, please contact Copyright Services at LAC.

Reproduction restrictions

The reproduction of records held at LAC may also be subject to additional restrictions. Some reproduction restrictions may require that you obtain written permission from the donor in order to receive copies. Other restrictions may be related to preservation, or due to the fact that LAC owns copies and not the original records and therefore does not have the authority to reproduce them. In such cases, you will have to contact the owner directly to obtain reproductions.

In addition, some of the content provided on this website is being made available under licence from third parties. The reproduction of this third party content may be subject to additional restrictions. Notice regarding possible restrictions on use is indicated on the relevant web page(s). To obtain additional information concerning reproduction restrictions, please contact Copyright Services at LAC.

Trademark notice

The official symbols of the Government of Canada, including the Canada Wordmark, the Royal Coat of Arms of Canada, and the flag symbol may not be reproduced, whether for commercial or non-commercial purposes, without prior written authorization. To do so, please contact Copyright Services at LAC.

Contact Copyright Services

Copyright Services
Library and Archives Canada
395 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON  K1A 0N4
Email: droitdauteur-copyright@bac-lac.gc.ca

Other terms and conditions

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.

Linking to non-Government of Canada websites (external links)

Links to websites not under the control of the Government of Canada (external links), 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 or 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.

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.

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.

Interacting with Library and Archives Canada on social media

Library and Archives Canada (LAC) uses social media tools to communicate and interact with Canadians who subscribe to and participate in these platforms.

Content and frequency

LAC uses its social media accounts as an alternative way of interacting with Canadians and sharing content posted on its website. These accounts facilitate access to information and services, and they provide stakeholders with an opportunity to interact in an informative and respectful environment.

We understand that the web is a 24/7 medium. Your comments are welcome at any time. You should expect to see new content or replies to comments posted on weekdays during business hours.

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 LAC’s control. LAC does not accept responsibility for platforms that become unresponsive or unavailable.

Please read the notice about historical language in LAC’s collection.

Links to other websites and ads

LAC’s social media accounts may post or display links or ads for websites that are not controlled by the Government of Canada. These links are provided solely for the convenience of users. The Government of Canada is not responsible for information in these links or ads, nor does it endorse the sites or their content.

Comments and interaction

Your comments on social media posts are welcome, with the expectation that conversations will follow the general rules of respectful civil discourse. You are fully responsible for all content submitted in your comments, and all posted comments are in the public domain. Please keep your submissions relevant and remain civil. LAC cannot tolerate comments that are rude in tone, abusive, or offensive to an individual or organization. LAC will not discriminate against differing viewpoints, but it reserves the right to remove comments and contributions, and to block users, based on the following criteria:

Comments and contributions will be removed if they:

• include personal information
• include protected or classified information belonging to the Government of Canada
• infringe upon intellectual property or proprietary rights
• are contrary to the principles of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms or the Constitution Act, 1982
• are racist, hateful, sexist, homophobic or defamatory, or contain or refer to obscenity or pornography
• are threatening, violent, intimidating or harassing
• are contrary to any Canadian federal, provincial or territorial laws
• constitute impersonation, advertising or spam
• encourage or incite criminal activity
• are written in a language other than English or French
• otherwise violate the standards in this policy

In short, be respectful and make sure that your comments are relevant to the section where they are posted. If you have any questions about this policy or how it is applied, please contact us.

LAC reserves the right to report users and/or their comments and contributions to third-party social media service providers, to prevent or remove the posting of content that is contrary to this policy or the terms of service/use of the third-party social media platform.

See the Government of Canada’s Terms and Conditions section for additional information.

Following, “liking” and subscribing

LAC’s 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 (retweeting, reposting or linking to) content from another user.

Copyright information

LAC retains copyright on all material posted on its social media platforms. Please consult our Copyright Restrictions section for more information.

Accessibility

Social media platforms are operated by third-party service providers and 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 every attempt will be made to solve the problem or to provide the information in a different format.

Privacy

Social media accounts are not Government of Canada websites. They are the Government of Canada’s presence on third-party service providers.

Official languages

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

Contact information

LAC’s social media platforms are managed by the Web and Social Media team in the Communications Branch at LAC, located at:

Place de la Cité
550 de la Cité Boulevard
Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0N4
Email: mediassociaux-socialmedia@bac-lac.gc.ca

Further details are available in the Contact Us section of LAC’s website.

Media inquiries

Media representatives can contact LAC’s Communications Branch during regular business hours, and on an emergency basis outside regular working hours.

Telephone: 819-994-4589
Email: media@bac-lac.gc.ca

Thank you for reading this policy. We encourage you to join the conversation and are looking forward to an active exchange of ideas!

Privacy notice

The Government of Canada and Library and Archives Canada (LAC) are committed to providing websites that respect the privacy of visitors. This privacy notice summarizes the privacy practices for LAC'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, LAC does not automatically gather any specific information from you, such as your name, telephone number or email address. LAC 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 Personal Information Collection 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.

Communicating with the Government of Canada

If you choose to send LAC an email or complete a feedback form online, your personal information is used by LAC in order to respond to your inquiry. The information you provide will only be shared with another government institution if your inquiry relates to that institution. LAC 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.

Third-party social media

Library and Archives Canada’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. LAC uses: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

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.

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.

Library and Archives Canada uses digital markers on some portions of its website. During your on-line visit, your browser exchanges data with LAC’s Web server. The digital markers used do not allow LAC 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 LAC’s website.

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 for the purpose of web analytics to remember your online interactions with LAC’s website.

LAC uses a tool to improve its website. When your computer requests a Library and Archives Canada Web page, our institution collects the following types of information for Web analytics:

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

Protecting the security of Government of Canada websites

Library and Archives Canada 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.

Inquiring about these practices

Any questions, comments, concerns or complaints you may have regarding the administration of the Privacy Act and privacy policies regarding LAC’s Web presence may be directed to our Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator by email to the Privacy and Personnel Records Division, by calling 613-996-5115 or 1-866-578-7777 (toll-free in Canada and the U.S.) or writing to:

Access to Information, Privacy and Personnel Records Division
Library and Archives Canada
395 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0N4
CANADA

If you are not satisfied with LAC’s response to your privacy concern, you may wish to contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner by telephone at 1-800-282-1376.