BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association
Your Data Your Rights
Updates to Oliver’s video surveillance policy ensuring better chain of responsibility and adherence to protection of privacy have been approved by Council.
At the April 27 Regular Council meeting, updates to the Town’s Video Surveillance Cameras Policy was discussed and approved.
A significant aspect of the updates includes a clearer explanation of the chain of responsibility for video surveillance cameras.
The Corporate Officer, or designate handles Policy Procedures, compliance, and audits. The Chief Financial Officer, or designate, is responsible for “system lifecycle management”, along with signage and specifications. Only the Chief Administrative Officer would be able to remove “general language assigning responsibility” to anyone.
One other thing the updates would do is add definitions to the policy to “reduce ambiguity” as well as lay out prohibited spaces and meet Freedom of Information And Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA) standards, explained Rochelle Lougheed, the Town’s Corporate Officer in her report to council.
The setup of video surveillance cameras would have a defined process in the new policy, including a requirement to first determine if the cameras are truly necessary where proposed, and submit reports to Council if they are deemed such. Both Council approval and a privacy impact assessment would be required prior to camera installation.
These cameras are currently found at recreation facilities, along with public works, Town Hall and the airport, with a total of 34 installed. Signage has been updated at those locations recently, and the policy updates ensure camera access is documented through a log sheet.
The other addition to the video surveillance cameras policy would be an outline of consequences for unauthorized access or use, or failure to obtain both a PIA and Council approval.
With no further discussion, the amendments were passed by Council, and have now taken effect.
The Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) is a federally funded program to add coverage in under-covered areas or on under-covered issues. This content is created and submitted by participating publishers and is not edited. Access can also be gained by registering and logging in at: https://lji-ijl.ca
You can support trusted and verified news content like this.
FIPA’s news monitor subscribers, donors and funders help make these available to everyone rather than behind a paywall. We appreciate every contribution because it makes a difference.
If you found this article interesting and useful, please consider contributing here.
