Cookies Policy

Last updated: September 22, 2026

What Cookies and Similar Technologies Are

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They allow the site to remember actions and preferences over time. Similar technologies include web beacons and pixels that track interactions without storing files. These tools can store or access information such as browser type, visit duration, pages viewed, and device identifiers. In practice they help deliver consistent experiences across sessions without requiring repeated input from visitors.

Why the Site Uses Cookies

This informational website about Canadian street life and neighborhoods relies on cookies to function reliably and to understand how content is received. Without them navigation would break on repeated visits and it would be impossible to measure which neighborhoods or everyday moments draw the most interest. The overall goal remains improving the presentation of visual stories rather than any commercial targeting.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies enable core functions such as page loading and basic navigation. They do not require consent under Canadian privacy expectations because they are essential to delivering the requested content. Disabling them would prevent the site from operating correctly.

Functional Cookies

Functional cookies remember choices like preferred language or display settings. They improve usability for repeat visitors exploring different Canadian communities but are not required for basic access.

Analytics or Performance Cookies

Analytics cookies gather aggregated data on visitor behavior. They reveal which street scenes or local moments receive the most attention, allowing editors to refine future visual essays. No individual identification occurs.

Advertising or Targeting Cookies

This non-commercial site does not deploy advertising or targeting cookies. No third-party networks receive data for personalized promotion of products or services.

Social-Media Cookies

Social-media cookies are absent because the site does not embed sharing tools or third-party social plugins that would track activity across platforms.

First-Party versus Third-Party Cookies

First-party cookies originate directly from this domain and support only its own operations. Third-party cookies would come from external providers; currently none are active, keeping all data handling within the site operator's control.

Session versus Persistent Cookies

Session cookies exist only while the browser remains open and disappear automatically when the session ends. Persistent cookies remain on the device for a defined period, typically up to twenty-four months, to retain preferences across visits. Retention periods are reviewed regularly to ensure they stay proportionate to the informational purpose.

Data Handled and Purpose of Each Category

Necessary cookies process minimal technical identifiers needed for page delivery. Functional cookies store preference flags. Analytics cookies record aggregated metrics such as page views and referral paths. Each category serves only to maintain or improve the presentation of neighborhood stories and community moments.

Consent or Exemption Basis under Canadian Law

Under the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act and related provincial rules, strictly necessary cookies operate under an exemption because they are required to provide the service. All other categories rely on implied or explicit consent obtained through the site-wide banner. Visitors may withdraw consent at any time without affecting access to essential features.

How the Consent Manager Works

The banner presented on first visit allows selection of cookie categories. Choices are stored and respected on subsequent visits. To change or withdraw selections, visitors can reopen the banner controls through a persistent link in the page footer and adjust toggles for each non-essential category.

Browser-Level Controls

Most browsers offer settings to block or delete cookies. Blocking all cookies may impair navigation and prevent the site from remembering any display preferences. Deleting cookies clears stored choices and may require re-consent on the next visit.

International Transfers

Where limited analytics processing occurs outside Canada, safeguards consistent with Canadian privacy expectations apply. Details appear in the separate Privacy Policy that addresses data handling more broadly.

Policy Changes

This Cookies Policy may be updated to reflect changes in technology or legal requirements. The date at the top indicates the most recent revision. Continued use of the site after an update constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.