Table of Contents
Privacy Notice
The Government of Canada and Buyandsell.gc.ca, Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), are committed to providing websites that respect the privacy of visitors. This privacy notice summarizes the privacy practices for Buyandsell.gc.ca'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, Buyandsell.gc.ca does not automatically gather any specific information from you, such as your name, telephone number or email address. Buyandsell.gc.ca 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 Buyandsell.gc.ca an email or complete a feedback form online, your personal information is used by Buyandsell.gc.ca 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. PWGSC 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 Procurement Business Number, 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.
Third-Party Social Media
Buyandsell.gc.ca does not currently use social media services.
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.
Buyandsell.gc.ca uses sessional or persistent digital markers on some portions of its website. During your on-line visit, your browser exchanges data with Buyandsell.gc.ca’s Web server. The digital markers used do not allow Buyandsell.gc.ca to identify individuals.
You may adjust your browser settings to reject digital markers, including cookies, if you so choose. If you do not wish to have cookies placed on your computer, you can disable them using your Web browser. If you opt out of cookies, you will still have access to all information and resources at Buyandsell.gc.ca. Please consult your browser's Help Menu for instructions. Please note that by following the instructions to opt-out of cookies, you will disable cookies from all sources, not just those from Buyandsell.gc.ca.
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 Buyandsell.gc.ca’s website.
Buyandsell.gc.ca uses Piwik and the information collected is disclosed and stored on a Buyandsell.gc.ca controlled server and is not shared with an external third party service provider.
Here is the list of the information collected that helps us to understand user trends:
- The name of your Internet service provider, its Internet Protocol (IP) address, and the name of your service provider's server.
- The length of each visit.
- The number of requests per visit.
- Your type of operating system (Windows, MacIntosh, Unix, etc.).
- Your browser type (Firefox, Internet Explorer, etc.).
Information used for the purpose of Web analytics is collected pursuant to Public Works and Government Services Canada’s enabling statute. Such data may be used for communications and information technology statistical purposes, audit, 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
Buyandsell.gc.ca 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.
Inquiring about these Practices
Any questions, comments, concerns or complaints you may have regarding the administration of the Privacy Act and privacy policies regarding Buyandsell.gc.ca’s Web presence may be directed to our Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator by email to aiprp.atip@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca, by calling 819-956-1817 or writing to:
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Access to Information and Privacy
11 Laurier Street
Gatineau, Quebec
K1A 0S5
If you are not satisfied with PWGSC’s response to your privacy concern, you may wish to contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner by telephone at 1-800-282-1376.
Official Notices for Government of Canada Departments
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.
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.
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 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.
Ownership and Usage of Content Provided on This Site
Materials on this website were produced and/or compiled by Public Works and Government Services Canada for the purpose of providing Canadians with access to information about the programs and services offered by the Government of Canada. You may use and reproduce the materials as follows:
Non-Commercial Reproduction
Unless otherwise specified you may reproduce the materials in whole or in part for non-commercial purposes, and in any format, 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 at [URL where original document is available].
Commercial Reproduction
Procurement datasets are subject to the Open Government Licence - Canada
Procurement data information on Buyandsell.gc.ca has been posted with the intent that it be readily available for commercial, personal and public use and may be reproduced, in part or in whole and by any means, without charge or further permission from the Government of Canada. Please read the Open Government Licence - Canada. These datasets include:
All other materials – commercial reproduction permission is required
Unless otherwise specified, you may not reproduce materials regardless of their format, found on Buyandsell.gc.ca, in whole or in part, for the purposes of commercial redistribution. For example, solicitation documents and tender attachments are copyright protected. These may include but are not limited to items such as solicitation documents, charts, tables, diagrams, Design Specification Packages (DSP). You require written permission from Public Works and Government Services Canada for their reproduction.
To obtain permission to reproduce Government of Canada materials on this site for commercial purposes, Apply for Crown Copyright Clearance or write to:
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Communications
11 Laurier Street, Phase III, Place du Portage
Gatineau, Quebec
K1A 0S5
Canada
questions@pwgsc.gc.ca
Some of the content on this site may be subject to the copyright of another party. Where information has been produced or copyright is not held by Government of Canada, the materials are 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:
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Communications
11 Laurier Street, Phase III, Place du Portage
Gatineau, Quebec
K1A 0S5
Canada
questions@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca
Trademark Notice
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.
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.
Questions and Media Requests
Reporters are asked to send questions to media@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca.