Surveillance

The OIPC is undertaking a review of its resources. If there is a resource from the previous website that is no longer available, please contact the office.

• Air Traveler Surveillance Database
  

  On October 11, 2002, the Commissioner wrote to the federal Minister of National Revenue expressing concerns about Canada Customs and Revenue Agency's air traveler surveillance database.

• Captured on Camera: Street Level Imaging Technology, the Internet and You
  

  Street-level imaging technology may offer benefits, but these should not come at the cost of privacy. This fact sheet provides awareness on the use of such technology. Published in August 2010.

• Commissioner's Response to Street Checks and Policing Public Consultation
  

  The Commissioner wrote a letter in response to the Government of Alberta's public consultation on the practice of police street checks. The consultation's purpose was to help in the development of provincial guidelines for the practice of police street checks. Published in October 2017.

• Decrease in Crime Shows We Have Less to Fear
  

  This letter to the editor was sent in response to an article in the Edmonton Journal about crime in Edmonton. The Commissioner noted that misleading readers with headlines about crime statistics increases fears, which then leads to more calls for surveillance, when, in fact, crime rates had decreased in the city.

• Guidelines for Overt Video Surveillance in the Private Sector
  

  To help organizations achieve compliance with private sector privacy legislation, the offices of the federal, B.C. and Alberta privacy commissioners developed these guidelines. In a question and answer format, this document sets out the principles for evaluating the use of video surveillance and for ensuring that its impact on privacy is minimized. Published in March 2008.

• Literature Review on Issues of Privacy and Surveillance Affecting Social Behaviour
  

  This independent research literature review was meant to highlight materials realted to privacy and surveillance as they affect social behaviour. Published in August 2003.

• National Identification Card
  

  On February 19, 2003, the Commissioner submitted concerns to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration about a proposed national identity card.