Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
In this episode, I examine a recent Report of Findings and Order issued by British Columbia’s Information and Privacy Commissioner concerning the City of Richmond’s “Public Safety Camera System” field test. The City installed high-resolution intersection cameras intended to provide footage to police to help identify criminal suspects. The Commissioner concluded that the City lacked lawful authority under BC’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to collect this personal information, failed to meet statutory notice requirements, and could not rely on planning or law-enforcement exceptions to justify the program. Because the City declined to follow the Commissioner’s recommendations, a binding order was issued requiring the City to stop collection, delete the footage, and dismantle the system.
The OIPC-BC finding can be found here (PDF): oipc.bc.ca/documents/orders/3071
Where you can find me
► Privacylawyer blog: blog.privacylawyer.ca
► My law firm: mcinnescooper.com/people/david-fraser
► Twitter: twitter.com/privacylawyer
► LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/davidtsfraser
Disclaimer: This is intended for education and information only and should not be taken as legal advice. If you need advice for your particular situation, you should seek out qualified counsel.
All views expressed are solely those of the creator and should not be attributed to his firm or any of its clients.
In this episode, I examine a recent Report of Findings and Order issued by British Columbia’s Information and Privacy Commissioner concerning the City of Richmond’s “Public Safety Camera System” field test. The City installed high-resolution intersection cameras intended to provide footage to police to help identify criminal suspects. The Commissioner concluded that the City lacked lawful authority under BC’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to collect this personal information, failed to meet statutory notice requirements, and could not rely on planning or law-enforcement exceptions to justify the program. Because the City declined to follow the Commissioner’s recommendations, a binding order was issued requiring the City to stop collection, delete the footage, and dismantle the system.
The OIPC-BC finding can be found here (PDF): oipc.bc.ca/documents/orders/3071
Where you can find me
► Privacylawyer blog: blog.privacylawyer.ca
► My law firm: mcinnescooper.com/people/david-fraser
► Twitter: twitter.com/privacylawyer
► LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/davidtsfraser
Disclaimer: This is intended for education and information only and should not be taken as legal advice. If you need advice for your particular situation, you should seek out qualified counsel.
All views expressed are solely those of the creator and should not be attributed to his firm or any of its clients.
