These Terms of Use govern your access to and use of the Civic Maple website (civicmaple.com) and all associated services operated by Maple Lane Media Inc. By using the site, you agree to these terms. If you do not agree, do not access the site. These terms are a binding legal agreement between you and Maple Lane Media Inc., an Ontario corporation.
Who operates Civic Maple?
Civic Maple is owned and operated by Maple Lane Media Inc., an Ontario corporation registered in the Ontario Business Registry under company number 1002847593. The registered office is Suite 402, 151 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M5C 2W7, Canada. The editorial team is led by Editor-in-Chief Jonathan MacDonald (jonathan.macdonald@civicmaple.com), who is responsible for all publication decisions and corrections.
Full ownership and funding details are provided on our ownership and funding page. Commercial relationships are clearly disclosed and never influence editorial conclusions.
How does Civic Maple produce its content?
Every article is drafted by a named writer, reviewed by an editor, and fact-checked before publication. Editorial mission is to deliver trustworthy Canadian journalism that helps readers understand complex issues without spin or oversimplification. AI-assisted tools may support research or drafting but never replace human editorial judgement; every piece is approved by a human editor.
The Standards & Fact-Checking lead, Oliver Bennett, oversees source verification and corrections. Our full editorial policies are outlined in the editorial policy, fact-checking policy, and AI & automation policy. Sponsored or commercial material is clearly labelled; affiliate links are disclosed.
What are the terms for accessing the site?
You may access Civic Maple for lawful, personal, non-commercial purposes only. You agree not to use the site in any way that violates applicable laws or regulations, or that could damage, disable, overburden, or impair the site. Unauthorised commercial use, automated scraping, data mining, or similar activities are prohibited without prior written consent from Maple Lane Media Inc.
We reserve the right to restrict or terminate access to any user who violates these terms. We may update these terms at any time; continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.
How is content protected by intellectual property?
All content published on Civic Maple—including text, graphics, logos, images, audio clips, and video—is owned by or licensed to Maple Lane Media Inc. and is protected by Canadian and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or publicly display any content without our prior written permission, except as permitted under fair dealing.
If you believe your copyright has been infringed, please contact us at legal@civicmaple.com or follow the procedures in our Copyright & Takedown Policy. We will respond promptly to valid notices.
What is our liability for content on this site?
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Maple Lane Media Inc., its editors, writers, and contributors shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of or reliance on the content on Civic Maple. This includes errors, omissions, delays, or interruptions in service.
Our content is provided for general informational and journalism purposes only. It does not constitute medical, financial, legal, or professional advice. You should verify any information before acting on it.
How do external links work?
Civic Maple may contain links to external websites or resources for your convenience. We do not endorse, control, or assume responsibility for the content, privacy practices, or availability of those third-party sites. Your use of external links is at your own risk.
We encourage you to review the terms of use and privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit. We are not liable for any loss or damage caused by reliance on external content.
What disclaimers apply to our content?
All content on Civic Maple is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to accuracy, completeness, or fitness for a particular purpose. We strive for accuracy but cannot guarantee that all information is error-free at all times.
Our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy explain how we collect, use, and protect your personal information. Use of the site constitutes acceptance of those policies.
Which laws govern these terms?
These Terms of Use are governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the applicable federal laws of Canada, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. Any disputes arising from these terms or your use of the site shall be resolved exclusively in the courts of Ontario located in Toronto.
If any provision of these terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. These terms constitute the entire agreement between you and Maple Lane Media Inc. regarding your use of Civic Maple.
How can you contact us about legal matters?
For legal inquiries, copyright takedown requests, complaints, or any matter related to these Terms of Use, please contact us at legal@civicmaple.com. You may also write to us at the registered office: Suite 402, 151 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M5C 2W7, Canada. Our full contact information is available on the Contact page.
We aim to respond to all legitimate legal communications within a reasonable timeframe. For editorial complaints, please refer to our Complaints Procedure.
Our commitments
- We commit to editorial independence: no commercial relationship determines our conclusions or coverage.
- We commit to accuracy and transparency: every article is fact-checked, and corrections are clearly noted and linked to our corrections policy.
- We commit to responsible AI use: artificial intelligence tools never fabricate quotes, sources, or bylines, and all content is reviewed by a human editor.
- We commit to user privacy: personal data is handled in accordance with our Privacy and Cookie Policies, and we do not sell your information.
- We commit to accountability: named editors are responsible for content decisions, and we provide clear channels for complaints, corrections, and legal contact.