Privacy Policy

How EcoCity Ottawa (OBEC) collects, uses, and protects your personal information.

Last updated: September 2026

Who we are

EcoCity Ottawa, formerly Ottawa Biosphere Eco-City (OBEC), is a registered Canadian charity founded in 2009. This policy explains what personal information we collect through this website (ecocityottawa.ca), how we use it, who we share it with, and the choices you have. By using this website, you agree to the collection and use of information as described here.

Information we collect

We only collect what you choose to give us. Through the contact form: your name, email, phone number, ward or neighbourhood, city, preferred language, and your message. Through the volunteer sign-up form: the same details, plus your availability, areas of interest, and preferred roles. Through the newsletter sign-up: your email address only. If you donate, your payment and contact details are collected and processed directly by our third-party donation platforms, not by OBEC.

How we use it

We use your information to respond to your message, coordinate volunteer opportunities, send newsletter updates if you opted in, and understand how people engage with our programs so we can improve them. We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to anyone.

When we share information

We share information only with OBEC board members, staff, and volunteer coordinators who need it to respond to your request, and with service providers who help us run this website, send email, or process donations, each of whom is only permitted to use it to provide that service to us. We may also disclose information if required to do so by law.

Donations

Donations are processed by third-party platforms (currently Zeffy and CanadaHelps), not by OBEC directly. Those platforms have their own privacy policies governing your payment information. OBEC receives your name, contact details, and donation amount from them in order to issue a tax receipt and thank you for your support.

Cookies and local storage

This website does not use advertising or tracking cookies. We store your language preference (English or French) in your browser’s local storage so the site remembers your choice; this stays on your device and is never sent to us. The map on our Contact page is provided by Google Maps, which may collect information under its own privacy policy when you interact with it.

How long we keep it

We keep personal information only as long as needed for the purpose it was collected for, or as required by charitable recordkeeping obligations, and then delete or anonymize it.

Your choices and rights

You can ask us to access, correct, or delete the personal information we hold about you, and you can unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time using the link in any email we send. Under Canadian privacy law (PIPEDA), you also have the right to file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. To make a request, use the contact details below.

How we protect it

We use reasonable administrative and technical safeguards to protect your information from loss, misuse, or unauthorized access. No method of storage or transmission over the internet is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Children’s privacy

This website is not directed at children, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 13 without a parent or guardian’s consent.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time as our programs or this website change. Any update will be posted on this page with a new "last updated" date.

Questions about this policy

If you have questions about this policy or how your information is handled, contact us at 108 Equestrian Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K2M 1H6, or through our contact page.