Last updated: May 14, 2026
1. Acceptance of the Terms
The use of OpenCouncil.ca (“website”, “service”) implies the full and unreserved acceptance of these Terms of Use. The use of the website also constitutes acceptance of our Privacy Policy (https://opencouncil.gr/privacy), which is an integral part of these terms. If you do not agree, please do not use our website.
2. Purpose of the Website
OpenCouncil.ca’s main goal is to promote transparency and better utilization of municipal councils. We provide automated transcription and organization of the information contained in public documents and videos of government meetings and decisions.
3. Use of Content
The content provided on OpenCouncil.ca is intended for informational purposes only. Users are free to use and redistribute the information provided.
With the exception of functions aimed at registered users (e.g. ‘petitions’), ordinary users are not allowed to publish or upload their own content to the website.
In the event that you post content on the website, having the relevant right as a registered user, you undertake not to harass, abuse, insult, harm, defame, disparage, intimidate and discriminate on the basis of health status, gender, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, race, age, national origin or disability. Furthermore, you undertake not to submit false or misleading information.
You may not use this website in any way that causes or may cause damage to the website or impairment of the availability or accessibility of Open Council, or in any way which is unlawful, illegal, fraudulent, harmful, or in connection with any unlawful, illegal, fraudulent, or harmful purpose or activity.
You must not conduct any systematic or automated data collection activities on or in relation to this website without express written consent from Open Council, including:
- Excessive Automated Scans
- Denial of Service Attacks
- Scraping
- Data Mining
- ‘Framing’ (IFrames)
4. Disclaimer
Running this website, like any human endeavor, involves uncertainty and trade-offs. We hope this website helps, but it may include mistakes and can’t address every situation. If you have any questions about your situation, we encourage you to do your own research, seek out other experts, and engage in discussions with members of Open Council. If you have any legal questions, you should consult with your own legal counsel before moving forward.
Some of the information displayed on OpenCouncil.ca (including transcripts) is collected and generated automatically using artificial intelligence and may contain errors, inaccuracies or omissions. This content is clearly marked with a “AI-generated – may be inaccurate” label. This content does not constitute an official practical or legal document and should not be used as a substitute for official sources of the respective municipality.
We do not guarantee continuous, uninterrupted or secure access to our services. We also do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the information. Users use our services and information solely at their own risk. OpenCouncil.ca and its administrators are not liable for any direct or indirect damage arising from the use or inability to use the website or the information.
Open Council is a project contributed to under licenses that include terms that, for the protection of the website and its contributors, make clear that the project and website is offered “as-is”, without warranty, and disclaiming liability for damages resulting from using the website or any recommendations contained within. Open Council does not warrant or make any representations concerning the accuracy, likely results, or reliability of the use of the materials on the website or otherwise relating to such materials on the website or on any third-party sites linked on this site.
5. Error Correction
In case a user finds an error, they can contact us here. Read the relevant corrections policy at https://opencouncil.ca/corrections
6. Personal Data Protection
The collection and processing of your personal data is governed by the Privacy Policy, which is posted on our website. For more information, please refer to https://opencouncil.gr/privacy. For personal data issues, please contact our Data Protection Officer at [email protected].
7. Intellectual Property
The logo, design and original promotional material of OpenCouncil.gr are protected by copyright laws. Their use is prohibited without our prior written permission.
Data originating from public sources (e.g. videos) remains in the public domain. The database, the organization of the content and the automated transcriptions produced by us are the intellectual property of the Company. We allow their free use and redistribution.
8. User Behaviour
Users undertake to use the website only for lawful purposes and not to take any actions that could damage, disable or disproportionately burden the website’s infrastructure.
9. Termination of Access
We reserve the right to terminate or suspend any user’s (especially registered) access to the service, without notice, in the event of a violation of these terms or at our sole discretion to protect the service.
10. External Links
Our website may contain links to external websites. We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of these websites.
11. User Comments
If, whether at our request or not, you send us specific submissions, creative ideas, suggestions, designs or other materials, whether online, by email, physical mail or otherwise (collectively, “Comments”), you agree that we may, at any time and without restriction, edit, copy, publish, distribute, translate and otherwise use in any medium any such comments you forward to us. We are under no obligation to:
- to keep any comments confidential, unless they contain sensitive data,
- to pay compensation for any comments, or
- to respond to any comments.
You agree that your comments will not violate any right of any third-party, including copyright, trademark, privacy, personality or other personal or proprietary right. You further agree that your comments will not contain defamatory or otherwise unlawful, abusive or obscene material, nor will they contain viruses or other malicious programs that could in any way affect the operation of the website.
You must not use a false email address, pretend to be someone else, or mislead us or third parties as to the origin of any comment.
You are solely responsible for any comments and their accuracy. We assume no responsibility for any comments posted by you or third parties.
We may use all means of communication to receive feedback/criticism about your experience.
12. Accessibility
We are committed to making OpenCouncil.ca accessible to all users, including people with disabilities, to the extent possible. If you are experiencing difficulties, please contact us here.
13. Separation
If any part of these terms of use is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining part will remain in full force and effect.
14. Amendments to the Terms of Use
We reserve the right to modify these terms of use at any time. Changes will be posted on this page and will be effective upon posting. Your continued use of the website after the changes constitute your acceptance of the new terms. In the event of significant changes, we will provide more prominent notice.
15. Applicable Law and Jurisdiction
These terms of use are governed by Canadian law. For any dispute that may arise, the courts of Ontario shall have exclusive jurisdiction. In the event of a dispute between the English version and any translation, the English version shall prevail.
16. Contact
For any questions regarding these terms of use, please contact us here.
Licenses
The bulk of our data is sourced from Stats Canada and various Open Data catalogues maintained by different levels of government. This information is licensed in accordance with the terms outlined by its respective providers.
The original content on this website is made available under a CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication. This means that it is completely free of copyright and can be used or shared as you wish. Though not strictly required, we do kindly request you attribute us by linking back to our homepage from your project.
You may not use the Open Council branding in your own project without express approval from this project. Open Council’s brand trademarks include the “OpenCouncil.ca” wordmark and shield “OC” logo.