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Security camera policy put to council for debate

City council will discuss Feb. 5 a proposed policy for the use of city security cameras.

The city deactivated security cameras at its facilities Jan. 18, following allegations that Doug Gillard, the head of the Municipal Enforcement Division, used the cameras to look at women.

A security camera located between two windows in the Yellowknife Public Library has a view of the study area. It is one of several inside the library. MED manager Doug Gillard is alleged to have used city-owned security cameras at the library to look at women.
Sidney Cohen/NNSLphoto

With the proposed camera policy, city administration aims to strike a balance “between safety and security of people and property and the right to privacy,” stated documents released Feb. 2.

The draft policy sets out a number of new restrictions on the use of city cameras.

Notably, only authorized employees, the senior administrative officer (SAO), the city's lawyer, and people “who's access is deemed necessary by the SAO” will have access to the cameras.

In addition, cameras are not to be placed in areas where the public has an expectation of privacy, such as change rooms and washrooms.

The proposed policy limits “observing, monitoring or recording” to times in which there is a “demonstrably higher likelihood” of a security risk.