Home / City Hall / Clerks

Video Surveillance

The City of Welland recognizes the need to balance an individual’s right to privacy and the need to ensure the safety and security of the public, employees, and municipal property. Video surveillance is one of several tools we use to deter vandalism, theft, and other illegal activities, support law enforcement when needed, and assist with investigations.

We recognize the importance of balancing safety with the right to personal privacy. Our approach follows best practices, uses technology responsibly, and limits privacy intrusion to what is necessary to meet safety and security objectives. The level of intrusion is always proportional to the benefits it provides.

The City’s use of video surveillance is guided by our Video Surveillance Policy, developed in accordance with the Municipal Act, the privacy provisions of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), and the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario’s Guidelines for the Use of Video Surveillance (2015).

All video surveillance systems operate without audio recording, unless specifically required for a law enforcement purpose.

To protect privacy, the City follows the Information and Privacy Commissioner’s guidelines to ensure that surveillance activities:

  • Are justified and minimally intrusive
  • Include clear accountability and access controls

The City maintains an up-to-date inventory of all video surveillance camera locations.

If you would like access to video surveillance footage:

  • Public: Complete a Freedom of Information (FOI) Request form.
  • Police: Complete a Law Enforcement Officer Access Request form.

Submit completed forms to foi@welland.ca.

Video surveillance systems may capture identifiable images of individuals. This is considered the collection of personal information under MFIPPA.

Collection is permitted under section 28(2) of MFIPPA if at least one of the following applies:

  • The collection is expressly authorized by statute.
  • It is used for law enforcement purposes.
  • It is necessary for the proper administration of a lawfully authorized activity to ensure safety and security of municipal property and individuals.

Signage is posted in all areas where video surveillance cameras are in use, notifying individuals of the collection in accordance with MFIPPA and privacy best practices.

Access to video footage is limited to authorized City employees or contracted security providers for legitimate purposes, including:

  • Investigating incidents.
  • Responding to law enforcement requests.
  • Ensuring facility safety.

Disclosure to third parties is only permitted when allowed by law and as set out in the City’s Video Surveillance Policy.

Video recordings are kept only for a limited time, as outlined in the City’s Records Retention By-law.

Unless required for an active investigation or legal matter, footage is typically deleted within 30 days.

Forms

Contact

For questions about the Video Surveillance Policy or the collection of personal information:
Clerk’s Office
City of Welland
60 East Main Street
Welland, ON L3B 3X4
Phone: 905-735-1700
Email: foi@welland.ca


Contact

➤