Montreal police have been expanding their arsenal of AI-powered systems to monitor vehicles and individuals throughout the city, sparking concerns about transparency and privacy. A high-tech camera capable of scanning and recognizing vehicles was recently discovered by a Radio-Canada journalist on a street lamp along Henri-Bourassa Boulevard in the Rivière-des-Prairies neighborhood. The camera, identified as a Cloudrunner CR-H2 manufactured by Montreal-based company Genetec, was promptly removed following media coverage.
Similar to the controversial Flock Safety cameras commonly used in the United States, the Genetec system not only reads license plates but also records specific vehicle details like color, make, and model. Unlike Flock cameras that share data in a central database accessible to multiple law enforcement agencies, Genetec’s approach involves managing collected information internally.
According to SPVM spokesperson Marc-Antoine Bélanger, access to the captured images is restricted to the investigators handling the relevant cases. Bélanger emphasized that the camera removal was a strategic decision to safeguard ongoing investigative tactics and that the SPVM prefers to keep its technological tools confidential to avoid compromising complex operations.
Privacy advocates, however, argue that there has been a lack of transparency surrounding the deployment of new surveillance technologies. Dominique Peschard from the Ligue des droits et libertés, a Quebec human rights group, stressed the importance of police informing the public about the tools they use while maintaining operational security.
The Cloudrunner cameras are part of the SPVM’s broader adoption of AI-driven solutions. The department has acknowledged using iMotion ROC AI software from Rank One Computing to assist in analyzing extensive video footage. SPVM spokesperson Anik de Repentigny clarified that the software’s facial recognition and biometric capabilities are not utilized and that the system operates offline on a closed network.
An internal privacy impact assessment obtained by CBC News highlighted civil liberties risks associated with the technology, including the potential for innocent individuals to be investigated and discrimination based on visible attributes. The assessment noted efforts to minimize discriminatory impacts by configuring the software to search for objects rather than identifiable traits like ethnicity.
Following a public records review, it was revealed that Montreal had awarded a contract to Genetec for Cloudrunner units. While only one camera was observed and removed, the SPVM indicated the possibility of deploying additional cameras based on investigative needs.
Andrew Elvish, Genetec’s vice president, assured that the technology prioritizes privacy, with all interactions logged. He emphasized the balance between privacy and safety in the community, suggesting that some privacy trade-offs may be necessary in high-threat scenarios.
Amidst discussions on surveillance and privacy, Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada previously advocated for a voluntary security camera registry to help law enforcement map residents’ home CCTV camera locations. Quebec’s Commission d’accès à l’information mandates that public video surveillance must serve a legitimate and urgent purpose, encouraging organizations to collect only necessary images.
Legal expert Jean-François Latreille stressed the importance of strict controls on the use of surveillance tools to prevent individuals from losing privacy control in public spaces.
