Overview   

This privacy statement, which summarizes our policies, includes: 

  • options you have when you browse or use online services 
  • ways you can take action to protect your personal information online 
  • ways we protect online services, including contractor-delivered services and services processing payments 

We also follow internal privacy policies that are summarized in this statement. Some government areas may share a statement with details specific to a program or service. Those statements supplement this one. 

We review our practices and policies and share changes or updates to this statement on this page. We date any changes at the end of this statement. 

Types of information we collect   

Statistical data   


We collect anonymous statistical data, also called analytics, when you browse our websites. We use a service called Google Analytics which helps us:

  • collect, store and analyze analytics data
  • improve online services and content 

Read more in our cookies section.  

Our servers alsocollect data that helps us analyze our website traffic, trends and performance. The data includes: 

  • names and sizes of files requested 
  • page visits and dates and times accessed 
  • keywords users enter into our search engine 
  • Internet Protocol (IP) addresses of the devices used to access our websites 
  • operating systems and internet service providers (ISPs) used by visitors   

We do not link this information with the identity of individuals visiting our site. If we detect an attempt to damage or disrupt this website, we can take further actions.

Personal information 

When you use an online service, you may need to share personal information. For example, you may provide your: 

  • name
  • email address
  • mailing address
  • phone number 

How we collect, use and disclose personal information  

We only collect personal information that is necessary to deliver the program or service which follows section 38(2) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.  

Notice of collection 

We may collect personal information when you choose to use services on this website. For example, we may ask for your contact information. This helps us deliver the service to you. We tell you when we collect this type of information. When we let you know, it’s called a notice of collection.  

A notice of collection describes how we use or disclose (share or make available) your personal information. For example, we include this notice when you: 

  • sign up, register or create an account for a product or service online 
  • fill out a form or apply online. For example, for funding or a licence 
  • provide contact information so we can respond to you or remind you about something related to a product or service you signed up for 

 We will tell you the:  

  • legal authority we have to collect information. For example, the law that authorizes a ministry to collect and protect personal information
  • main ways and reasons we use your information. For example, if we need your email address to send you an email reminder or update
  • contact information for a person from the service team who can answer any questions you have about the way we use information  

A notice of collection may include more information, for example, a Terms of use.  

Collection of personal information

We only collect personal information when it is: 

  • necessary to provide you with products or services 
  • specifically authorized by a law, for example, a statute that gives ministries the authority to collect a type of information needed to deliver a specific service to you  

 Additionally, we work to:  

  • maintain security and ensure the integrity and confidentiality of your information and our systems
  • make sure vendors (contractors) and service delivery partners follow the same security, integrity and confidentiality protocols as well  

 We do not:  

  • collect and connect details of your browsing activity to your identity  
  • collect personally identifiable information on our websites without giving you notice or asking for your consent  
  • offer online services only. Some services and forms are also available in person or by mail, fax or phone.

When we use your information 

We only use your personal information for: 

  • the service or purpose you choose. (For example, to get an email receipt if you renew your driver’s licence online)
  • a consistent purpose, unless another use is specifically authorized by a law (read more in the Laws and Guidelines section on this page) 

When we share your information 

We only disclose (share) your personal information: 

  • when we have legal authority 
  • when we are legally obligated to do so. For example, by court order 
  • with the authorized staff, government office or contractor responsible for the service or reason you provided it for, such as when it is necessary to deliver the services or products you signed up for

How to access or change your information  


Some of our online services may ask you to create an account or renew an item. These services allow you to change, update or correct your personal information.  

 You also have the right to access your personal information that a ministry or government area may hold.  You can make an access request under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). Access is subject to the limits and exceptions that the FIPPA outlines.   

 For specific FIPPA requests, you can check what types of information we keep on file through our Directory of Records.  

Cookies 

Cookies are small text files or similar technologies that your web browser stores and uses to interact with our website, including our web-based applications (apps). We do not use cookies to identify individuals.  

Our cookies:

  • collect small amounts of data on user settings and behaviours 
  • are based on ontario.ca browsing only 
  • are added together (aggregated) in analytics 

Cookies on ontario.ca cannot: 

  • allow us to identify you personally 
  • give anyone access to your hard drive 
  • allow us to make changes to your device 
  • collect personal information from you without your knowledge  

Data that cookies access can include: 

  • pages visited 
  • dates and times of visits 
  • internet service providers (ISPs) 
  • Internet Protocol (IP) addresses of the device used 
  • operating systems, browsers and type used 
  • keywords used in our search engine 
  • names and sizes of files requested  

We do not sell your information or this data to third parties. If we need to collect any personal information to deliver a service to you, we always let you know first.  

Types of cookies 

Our cookies: 

  • may be essential for an online service. For example, so you can fill out a form to get or renew a driver’s licence or health card)
  • help us remember your settings and preferences to save you time
  • help us measure website use (analytics) and improve experiences 
  • help us share relevant online ads for public and awareness campaigns using Google advertising services 

Google Analytics

We use cookies from Google Analytics to learn how people use our websites, for example what people click, so we can improve our content and services. 

We do not: 

This policy applies to cookies used on ontario.ca pages only.

If you have concerns about Google services

You can opt out of Google Analytics cookies. If you opt-out, there is no serious change to your browsing experience on our website.

Social media and content that is not on ontario.ca 

 We may include social media content in some of our web pages, for example. a YouTube video link.  We may also use ads on social media (for example, Facebook). When we do, and when you interact with that content, social media platforms may:  

  • process analytics data through their own servers 
  • track your browsing activities across other websites 
  • place their own cookies when you visit their web pages 

We do not manage or have access to social media or other websites and their cookies. 

Options for more privacy 


If you do not choose to use online services, some offline options are available. 

If you access online information and services, you can choose to: 

Clear, block or stop cookies in your browser settings

You can block, stop or limit cookies, including third party cookies, by following the instructions in your browser settings. Browser examples include: 

Other browsers may have instructions in their “Help” section.  

If you block all cookies:  

  • you can still use government websites to access information 
  • you may not be able to access some Ontario services and features 
  • you may experience impacts on this and other websites 

Security

Our commitment 

We protect the integrity of our systems. We do not link information to website visitors unless there is:

  • a threat
  • damage to the site
  • an attempted attack on the site

Steps you can take

We encourage residents of Ontario to protect their devices and personal information.

For example: 

  • make sure you are on a trusted website 
  • take steps to protect your home network and password(s) 
  • find our websites and services through a trusted search engine
  • beware of phishing scams and suspicious links or websites 
  • keep your Ontario documents and identity cards safe
  • report lost or stolen documents or cards to get new numbers and version codes
  • delete your search history or use private browsing modes or browsers
  • use privacy browsing modes or browsers on shared devices

Steps we take

We use software, encryption and other protocols to protect the website from:

  • misuse
  • alteration
  • copying
  • disclosure
  • destruction
  • monitoring
  • unauthorized sharing of information and damage 

Laws and guidelines 

We manage the information we collect according to:  

The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and other guidelines also protect personal information from unsolicited use and sharing with third parties, for example, spam emails.

Roles and responsibilities 

The Government of Ontario and its ministries are responsible and accountable for:  

  • protecting the personal information they collect or store 
  • managing security incidents and privacy breaches
  • managing events that need us to take action but do not meet the definition for a personally identifiable information (PII) breach
  • conducting privacy and security assessments:  
    • before services launch or get updated 
    • when we use a vendor or contractor to deliver a service 
  • consultations with the Information and Privacy Commissioner (IPC) to:  
    • develop legislation or regulations 
    • change services, products or policies that involve the management of personal information  

Ontario’s Information and Privacy Commissioner (IPC) also plays a role to:  

  • ensure compliance with Ontario’s laws 
  • investigate privacy complaints and freedom of information appeals
  • oversee and give advice on information management practices 
  • research access and privacy issues and give advice on legislative updates 
  • raise awareness and educate on Ontario’s access and privacy laws 

You can file a privacy complaint or appeal a decision on your Freedom of Information request through the IPC. 

Contact us

If you have questions or comments about anything on this page, contact the Policy, Archives and Data, Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement.

By email 

 access.privacy@ontario.ca

By mail

Policy, Archives, and Data Division
Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement
134 Ian Macdonald Blvd., 3rd Floor
Toronto ON  M7A 2C5