Terms of Service
By visiting the Museum, using our website, or purchasing any of our services, you agree to these terms.
The Short Version
Treat the Museum and other visitors with respect. Payment transactions are processed securely and memberships are non-transferable. Photos you submit to Celebrate Water may be displayed by us. You can unsubscribe from our emails at any time. These terms are governed by the laws of Ontario, Canada.
Contents
- 1Acceptance of Terms
- 2Website & Online Services
- 3Payment Terms
- 4Membership Terms
- 5Donations & Charitable Giving
- 6Email Subscriptions
- 7Photo & Content Submissions
- 8In-Person Visit Guidelines
- 9Educational Programs & Events
- 10Intellectual Property
- 11Safety & Liability
- 12Accessibility
- 13Right to Refuse Service
- 14Governing Law & Disputes
- 15Contact Information
Acceptance of Terms
Welcome to the Canadian Museum Of Water ("Museum," "we," "us," or "our"). These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the Museum's facilities, website, programs, memberships, and all associated services (collectively, the "Services").
By visiting the Museum, using our website, purchasing a membership, making a donation, registering for an event, or submitting content through any of our programs, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use our Services.
We may update these Terms at any time. Your continued use of the Services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms. Material changes will be communicated via our website and, where applicable, by email to registered members.
Website & Online Services
2.1 Acceptable Use
When using our website and online services, you agree to:
- Provide accurate and current information when required
- Keep your account credentials secure and confidential
- Not attempt to gain unauthorized access to any part of the website or member portal
- Not use the website for any illegal or unauthorized purpose
- Not transmit viruses, malware, or other harmful code
- Not interfere with or disrupt website functionality
2.2 Account Responsibility
If you create an account with us (e.g., a member login), you are responsible for all activity under that account. Notify us immediately at info@canadianmuseumofwater.org if you suspect unauthorized access.
Payment Terms
We accept payment for memberships, donations, event registrations, and other purchases through our secure, PCI-DSS-compliant payment processor. All transactions are encrypted via SSL/TLS.
3.1 Pricing & Charges
- Prices are displayed in Canadian dollars (CAD) and include applicable taxes
- By submitting payment, you authorize us to charge the amount shown
- We reserve the right to correct pricing errors before completing your transaction
3.2 Refunds & Cancellations
- Refund requests for event tickets must be submitted at least 48 hours before the scheduled date
- Refunds may be subject to a processing fee unless the Museum cancels the event
- If the Museum closes unexpectedly, tickets will be exchanged for a future date or refunded at our discretion
- Special event tickets may have different cancellation terms specified at purchase
Membership Terms
Memberships provide access to Museum benefits for the period selected at purchase. By purchasing a membership, you agree to the following:
- Memberships are personal and non-transferable — benefits apply only to named member(s)
- Membership benefits are valid for the specified membership period
- Family memberships cover the named adults and their dependent children under 18 residing at the same address
- Members must present valid membership identification when requesting benefits
- The Museum may modify membership benefits with reasonable advance notice
- Cancellation requests must be submitted in writing and are subject to our refund policy
- Memberships that include complimentary guest passes may not be transferred or resold
Donations & Charitable Giving
The Canadian Museum Of Water is a registered charitable organization. Eligible donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by Canadian law.
- Charitable tax receipts are issued for eligible donations in accordance with CRA regulations
- Donations are generally non-refundable unless made in error or under exceptional circumstances — contact us promptly if this applies
- The Museum reserves the right to decline or return donations that conflict with our mission or are subject to unacceptable conditions
- Donors will be publicly acknowledged unless anonymity is requested
- Recurring donations may be modified or cancelled by the donor at any time with written notice
- Donated funds are directed to the Museum's charitable programs; restricted gifts are accepted at the Museum's discretion
Email Subscriptions
By subscribing to our newsletter — through the website, at an event, or as part of a membership — you consent to receiving email communications from the Canadian Museum Of Water, including program announcements, event invitations, fundraising updates, and Museum news.
Unsubscribing: You may opt out at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in any marketing email or by contacting us directly. Opt-out requests are processed within 5 business days.
Transactional emails: Membership confirmations, donation receipts, and other account-related notifications will still be sent even if you unsubscribe from marketing emails, as they are necessary for your transactions with us.
Photo & Content Submissions
7.1 Celebrate Water & Other Programs
When you submit a photo, story, or other creative content through our Celebrate Water program or any other Museum initiative, you:
- Grant the Museum a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to display, reproduce, and share your submission on our website, social media, in-Museum displays, and promotional materials
- Confirm that you own or have all necessary rights to the submitted content
- Confirm that your submission does not infringe any third-party rights or violate applicable laws
- Understand that the Museum may crop or lightly edit submissions for display purposes without altering their fundamental nature
You retain ownership of your original work. We will not sell your submitted content. You may request removal by contacting us — we will make reasonable efforts to remove it from active displays, though archived or printed materials may not be immediately updated.
7.2 Content Standards
Submissions must not contain offensive, defamatory, hateful, or illegal content. The Museum reserves the right to decline, remove, or moderate any submission that does not meet our community standards.
In-Person Visit Guidelines
8.1 General Conduct
- Treat exhibits, programs, and artifacts respectfully at all times
- Follow instructions from Museum staff and security personnel
- Supervise children in your care to ensure their safety and appropriate behaviour
- Refrain from disruptive behaviour that disturbs other visitors
- Do not touch exhibits or artifacts unless specifically permitted in designated interactive areas
8.2 Prohibited Items
The following are strictly prohibited on Museum premises:
- Weapons or dangerous materials of any kind
- Food and beverages (except in designated areas)
- Smoking, vaping, or tobacco products
- Illegal drugs or controlled substances
- Pets (service animals are welcome)
- Skateboards, scooters, or similar devices
8.3 Photography Policy
Personal, non-commercial photography is generally permitted in public Museum areas unless signage indicates otherwise. The following restrictions apply:
- Flash photography may be restricted in certain gallery areas
- Commercial photography or videography requires advance written permission
- By visiting the Museum, you acknowledge that you may be photographed or recorded for Museum promotional purposes — please advise staff at entry if you do not consent
8.4 Emergency Procedures
In the event of a fire, medical emergency, or security incident, follow all staff instructions, evacuate promptly using designated exits, and do not re-enter until authorized. Report any incidents to staff immediately.
Educational Programs & Events
9.1 Registration
- Advance registration is required for educational programs, guided tours, and most events
- Participants must meet any stated age, grade level, or eligibility requirements
- Programs may be cancelled or rescheduled due to insufficient enrollment — affected registrants will be notified and offered a full refund or credit
- Late arrivals may not be accommodated for timed or capacity-limited programs
9.2 School & Group Visits
- Group leaders are responsible for the supervision and behaviour of all group members
- Required adult-to-child chaperone ratios apply as specified in your booking confirmation
- Accessibility requirements should be communicated at the time of booking
9.3 Virtual Programs
- Participants are responsible for their own internet connection and compatible device
- Recording virtual sessions is prohibited without express written permission from the Museum
- Program links and materials are for registered participants only and may not be shared
Intellectual Property
All content on this website — including text, images, graphics, logos, videos, audio, software, and design elements — is the property of the Canadian Museum Of Water or its content suppliers and is protected by Canadian and international copyright, trademark, and intellectual property laws.
Without written permission, you may not:
- Reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works from our content
- Use our content for commercial purposes
- Remove copyright or other proprietary notices from any materials
- Frame or mirror content from our website on another site
Safety & Liability
11.1 Assumption of Risk
While the Museum takes reasonable precautions, you acknowledge that visiting and participating in Museum activities involves inherent risks, including slips or falls, participation in interactive exhibits, and exposure to communicable illnesses. You voluntarily assume these risks.
11.2 Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Canadian Museum of Water, its directors, officers, employees, volunteers, and agents shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages arising from:
- Your use of or inability to use our Services
- Personal injury or property damage during your visit
- Loss or theft of personal belongings
- Errors or interruptions in website functionality
- Unauthorized access to your personal information despite our security measures
Accessibility
The Canadian Museum Of Water is committed to accessible facilities and programs for all visitors in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
- Wheelchair-accessible entrances, elevators, and washrooms are available
- Service animals are welcome throughout the Museum
- Assistive listening devices and other accommodations are available upon request
- Visitors requiring special accommodations are encouraged to contact us in advance so we can prepare appropriately
Right to Refuse Service
The Museum reserves the right to refuse admission, remove, or permanently ban any visitor who:
- Violates these Terms or Museum policies
- Engages in disruptive, threatening, or inappropriate behaviour
- Appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Poses a safety risk to themselves, other visitors, or staff
- Damages Museum property or exhibits
No refund will be provided where admission is denied or revoked due to a policy violation.
Governing Law & Disputes
These Terms are governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein. Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of our Services will be resolved as follows:
- 1Informal negotiation: Contact us first — most matters can be resolved quickly and amicably
- 2Mediation: If informal resolution fails, the parties agree to participate in good-faith mediation before pursuing further action
- 3Arbitration or litigation: Unresolved disputes may be submitted to arbitration or the courts of Ontario
If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in full force and effect.
Contact Information
For questions, concerns, or feedback regarding these Terms of Service, please contact us:
Canadian Museum Of Water — Guest Services
123 Water Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G9, Canada
Email: info@canadianmuseumofwater.org
Phone: (705) 540-0449
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST