Algonquin College Privacy Statement

Algonquin College (the “College”) is committed to protecting the privacy of your personal information. The College at all times collects, uses and discloses personal information in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Personal Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.31 (“FIPPA”), and under the authority of the Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 8, Sched. F, and other relevant legislation. The College’s personal information handling practices are set out in more detail in its Policy AD02: Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy.

Collection of Personal Information

The College collects personal information at several points of contact. It collects personal information from prospective students during marketing and recruitment campaigns and the application process. It collects personal information from current students at various times and in multiple ways throughout their tenure with the College. It may collect personal information from alums after their tenure at the College. It collects personal information from staff at various times and in various ways in the course of the employment relationship.

Use of Personal Information

Personal information is used for a number of reasons. In the case of prospective students, information is used primarily to make admissions-related decisions, including initial contact with the student, the creation, processing and maintenance of student applications, acceptance, and registration with the College. In the case of students whose applications are accepted and current students of the College, information collected before or after enrollment is done so for the purposes of administering the student’s studies at the College and to assist the College in providing academic and other services to the student. Information collected from prospective or current students before or after enrollment may also be used for the purposes of statistical analysis, research and marketing. It may also be aggregated, linked to other data, or otherwise used by the College for the purposes of reviewing, improving and developing College programs, policies, and recruitment strategies, measuring program performance and assessing future program needs. In the case of College staff, information is collected primarily for the purpose of managing the employment relationship.

Personal information may also be used or disclosed for purposes reasonably consistent with these purposes. Specific purposes for the collection of information will be set out at the time of collection where required and where distinct from the above. If no purpose of collection is indicated, the information is collected and will be used for the above purposes or purposes reasonably consistent with those set out above, subject to the provisions of FIPPA.

The College will use or disclose personal information where reasonably necessary to achieve the purposes for which it was collected or where authorized or required by law to do so. The College may also make personal information available to third parties who provide services reasonably necessary to the College’s operations or to the achievement of the purposes stated above. All third parties processing personal information on behalf of the College are contractually bound to follow the same applicable privacy laws and regulations. On occasion, personal information may be collected, used, and/or disclosed in jurisdictions outside of Ontario. Personal information in different databases in the custody or control of the College may also be linked or aggregated in order to achieve the purposes set out above.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The College uses artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, and tools for research and analysis purposes, to enhance learning, streamline administrative services, and provide timely support to students, faculty, and staff.

These AI technologies and tools may process personal information to deliver personalized assistance, automate routine tasks, and support decision-making.

In accordance with the Ontario Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), the Ontario Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), and the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) the College upholds the following data principles:

• Data Minimization and Protection: Only necessary personal information is collected and securely handled
• Transparency: The College uses AI tools to support automated decision-making and to improve the quality and efficiency of its services
• Human Oversight: AI-assisted decisions are subject to human review upon request
• Fairness and Equity: AI systems are monitored to prevent bias and ensure compliance with human rights obligations
• Accountability: The College maintains documentation of AI system functions and conducts regular privacy impact assessments

The use of AI does not replace human judgment. Individuals retain the right to access their personal information and to request explanations or reviews of decisions influenced by AI.

For more information on how your data is managed, please refer to our Privacy Policy or contact the College’s Privacy Office at privacy@algonquincollege.com.

Consent

By providing your personal information to the College, you consent to using or disclosing personal information as set out above and to the extent necessary to fulfill these purposes. Subject to applicable legislation, you have a right to withdraw your consent to using or disclosing your personal information. However, this may have an impact on the College’s ability to provide services to you, including, in the case of current students, your ability to continue your studies at the College. Students wishing to withdraw consent in whole or in part to the use or disclosure of their personal information should contact the Privacy Office for more information.

Disclosure of Personal Information

The College is required to disclose personal information such as Ontario Education Numbers, student characteristics and educational outcomes to the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities under s. 15 of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act. The ministry collects this data for purposes such as planning, allocating and administering public funding to colleges, universities, and other post-secondary educational and training institutions and to conduct research and analysis, including longitudinal studies, and statistical activities conducted by or on behalf of the ministry for purposes that related to post-secondary education and training. Further information on how the Ministry this personal information is available on the Ministry’s website.

Further information on the collection and use of student-level enrolment-related data can be obtained from the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities website https://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/eopg/programs/ (English) or https://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/fre/eopg/programs/ (French) or by writing to the Director, Postsecondary Finance Branch, Postsecondary Education Division, 7th Floor, Mowat Block, 900 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M7A 1L2.

Retention of Personal Information

The College only retains the collected personal information as long as necessary for the purpose it was collected for and as required by law.

Security of Personal Information

The College takes all reasonable measures to safeguard personal information in its care and control, including but not limited to physical, technical, and administrative measures. The College requires all third-party service providers that receive personal information through contracts or other agreements to have adequate measures and safeguards to protect it. We also ensure that any information disposed of under College policies and applicable regulations is securely destroyed to maintain privacy.

Cookies

The Algonquin College website uses cookies. A “cookie” is a data file that a website sends to a website user’s computer while that user is viewing the site. These data files include information that allows a website to remember information that will make that website user’s use of the website more efficient and helpful. Cookies support the site visitation statistics process and functions such as forms processing.  

Visitors to the website may “allow all cookies”, “allow a personalized selection”, or “allow only essential cookies” by selecting the option that best suits them. Site visitors should be aware that certain features of the website, such as forms and surveys, require the use of cookies to function properly. Cookies do not damage computer systems or files, and only the website that transferred a particular cookie to you can read, modify or delete such cookie. The use of cookies does not provide access to a computer’s hard drives, stored files or content, or any other locally stored information. If the user wishes, they can modify their cookie settings within the website they are visiting when prompted. Additionally, internet browsers allow users to delete cookies, which can usually be found in the browser’s settings, for example:

CASL policy

The College is committed to communicating responsibly with you. In our electronic communications, we strive to provide information that is relevant, useful and timely. The College has taken steps to ensure its electronic communication practices comply with the requirements of Canada’s anti‑spam legislation (known as “CASL”). These steps include requesting your express consent to receive commercial electronic messages (or “CEMs”), where necessary, ensuring that there is an unsubscribe mechanism in CEMs if required, and honouring requests to unsubscribe from CEMs from the College in a timely manner. Please note that there are certain electronic messages you may continue to receive from the College following your request to unsubscribe from CEMs from the College, as permitted by law.

Update to this Statement

Algonquin College reserves the right to update this policy from time to time as required without additional notice.

Contact

You have a right of access to your personal information in the control of the College, subject to the terms of applicable laws and its regulations. To make such a request, or if you have questions about this Privacy Statement or about the College’s personal information practices, please contact:

Privacy Office
1385 Woodroffe Avenue, Room C327
Ottawa, Ontario, K2G 1V8.
privacy@algonquincollege.com

Disclaimer: Please note that to protect your privacy, the best practice is not to include any sensitive personal information in your emails, such as banking information, password and login credentials, personal health information, etc.

If you have a complaint about the College’s handling of your personal information, please contact the Privacy Office. If your complaint is not resolved to your satisfaction, FIPPA, PHIPA, and PIPEDA provide a mechanism for independent review by contacting the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario. You may find more information online at https://www.ipc.on.ca/privacy-individuals/filing-a-privacy-complaint/.

Updated: 2025.11.28