CBRM Social Media: Guidelines for Use
The Cape Breton Regional Municipality’s (CBRM) social media channels have been created to provide information to residents about CBRM operations, programs, services and initiatives. Please note that the page is not monitored 24-7. While CBRM will endeavour to respond to inquiries and questions directed to our Social Media accounts, we may request that the discussion be redirected to our 311 support service. The reason(s) for this request would include, but is not limited to, privacy concerns (yours, a fellow resident(s), or employee(s) of the municipality), character limitations for messages and amount of detail required to resolve a situation. User comments and messages posted to CBRM official social networking sites are considered transitory records and will not be kept as a permanent record by CBRM. By using CBRM Social Media, users acknowledge and consent that their comments or messages may become part of the public record and used in official CBRM documentation. It is at CBRM’s sole discretion as to which comments will be saved to form part of the municipality’s official business records. It is in the nature of Social Media communications that accuracy and timeliness may not be guaranteed and may not be reliable; as such, users acknowledge that CBRM makes no such guarantees. Further, CBRM is not responsible for the authenticity or suitability of content posted to its Social Media by others. CBRM will adhere to all applicable legislation regarding privacy and freedom of information. CBRM is subject to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIPOP) provisions of the Municipal Government Act of Nova Scotia and users should be aware that personal and other information contained in electronic correspondence (or printed versions thereof) which are directed to CBRM are subject to this Act and may be deemed releasable under this legislation, and that the anonymity or confidentiality of the sender and any information contained within the correspondence cannot be presumed or relied upon. The comments, opinions and other materials posted on CBRM's social media sites are the sole responsibility of the individual submitting the postings. CBRM does not endorse, nor is it responsible for, any of the postings, comments, opinions or other submissions ("User Submissions") on these sites and expressly disclaims any and all liability in connection with User Submissions. Images and comments posted by third parties do not necessarily represent the views of CBRM. CBRM cannot and does not guarantee users privacy on third party social networking websites, as users are subject to the terms and conditions of the specific application on that website. Users should review and agree to the third party terms and conditions prior to participating. CBRM will not be responsible for any losses or damages suffered as a result of using third party Social Media sites. Those using Social Media participate at their own risk and for their own benefit, and in so doing accept that they have no right of action against the CBRM related to such use. A link between CBRM’s Social Media sites and any other website does not imply an endorsement or sponsorship by CBRM of that website, or the creator of that website. CBRM’s Social Media sites are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. The CBRM makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the sites' operation or the information, content or materials included on these sites. CBRM strongly encourages users of its social media sites to respect their fellow users. CBRM cannot tolerate comments that are offensive to an individual or an organization, rude in tone, or abusive. Comments, discussion posts, wall posts and any other user-posted content that is deemed inappropriate by CBRM, in its sole discretion, will be removed from the page. CBRM also reserves the right to monitor and remove, edit or refuse comments that meet any of the following conditions:
• contrary to the principles of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
• racist, hateful, sexist, homophobic, slanderous, insulting, or life-threatening messages
• serious, unproven or inaccurate accusations against individuals or organizations
• aggressive, coarse, violent, obscene, or pornographic comments
• messages where the sender is not the author
• messages for advertising purposes
• messages written in a language other than English or French
• unintelligible or irrelevant messages, and
• any other message that the forum moderators feel will not add to the normal flow of discussion.
