CCTV Program

The monitoring procedures shall be conducted in a professional, ethical, and legal manner.   The cameras will not live-stream to the public.  Video footage will be available to be viewed and monitored by certain Town staff (such as the Municipal Law Enforcement Manager) as well as the OPP.  

Information obtained through video monitoring may be used for the following purposes:

• Enhancing the safety and security of persons or property;
• Preventing unauthorized entry or activities on Town property;
• To investigate an incident involving suspected health and safety violations/concerns, security and property damage, illegal activity, a violation of the Workplace Harassment and Discrimination Policy, or the Workplace Violence Prevention Policy, or involving a potential or actual insurance-related claim;
• To manage corporate risk;
• To preserve evidence as required to protect the Town’s legal rights;
• To respond to a request for information under MFIPPA;
• To aid law enforcement agencies with a matter under investigation;
• To assess the effectiveness of any of the above-noted uses;
• As required by Court Order;
• In anticipation of one of the above-noted uses;
• For a purpose consistent with the above-noted uses, including data analytics and service enhancements.

Cameras shall be located to monitor only areas to which the public have access.  The view of the cameras is restricted to prohibit the viewing of private dwelling spaces.  All operators have been made aware of the purpose(s) for which the cameras have been established and are prohibited from using the cameras for any other purpose.  If cameras are adjustable by the operators, these adjustments are restricted so that operators cannot adjust or manipulate them to overlook spaces to which the public do not have access (e.g. private residences). 

Currently, cameras are located at the Rotary Cove beach, Main beach and Town Hall. 

Signs shall be placed in the field of view of the cameras so that the public are aware that they are entering a zone which is covered by CCTV surveillance equipment.  The signs shall be clearly visible to members of the public. 

Recorded material is only used for the purposes defined by this Code of Practice and in accordance with MFIPPA.  The viewing of live information on a CCTV monitor is not considered use of recorded information.  However, if this information is accessed by downloading it onto a compact disk or accessed at the end of the 1 year retention time period, then the recorded information is considered used and must be retained for an additional year as per the Town’s Retention By-Law. 

The use of recorded information is allowed only in accordance with law. 

Access to recorded information is only permitted in accordance with this Code of Practice and MFIPPA.  Material may not under any circumstances be sold or used for commercial purposes or for the provision of entertainment.

Access to recorded information should be restricted to those responsible for the administration of the Goderich CCTV Program and to:

a)      Law enforcement agencies where the images recorded would assist in a specific investigation; and,

b)      The people whose images have been recorded and retained who make a request under MFIPPA.

c)      Town employees, Town insurers, or those hired to work on the Town’s behalf if it is necessary for one or more of the uses outlined within this policy.

d)      The Town Solicitor or their designate if, in the Town’s discretion, it is in the interest of justice to do so, and disclosure is compliant with MFIPPA.

Where a request is granted pursuant to MFIPPA, the images of individuals may be disguised or blurred.  If the Town does not have the facilities to carry out that type of editing, an editing company may be hired to carry out that editing.

Individuals who make a request under MFIPPA for images from the Goderich CCTV Program are provided with information which describes the types of images which are recorded and retained, the purposes for which those images are recorded and retained, and information about the disclosure policy in relation to those images.  This should be provided at the time that the standard freedom of information request form is provided to an individual.  All requests will be dealt with by the Director of Legislative Services/Clerk or their designate. 

Live viewing is restricted to locations where there is a high likelihood of safety and security concerns, as determined by the Chief Administrative Officer, Director of Community Services, Infrastructure & Operations, and the CEMC, Accessibility and Health & Safety Manager. Live feed monitors will be turned off when not in use.

Live feed monitors are not viewable by the public. 

All requests for disclosure must be made in writing/email to the Director of Legislative Services/Clerk or their designate.   The Director of Legislative Services/Clerk must be satisfied that access is permissible pursuant to this policy before granting this disclosure. 

CCTV Program Code of Practice 

Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario - Guidelines for the Use of Video Surveillance