Decisions

Canadian Privacy Decisions

The comprehensive archive of Canadian privacy decisions from federal, provincial, and territorial commissioners — with AI-summarized plain-language summaries for every decision.

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Federal (Canada)Ontario British Columbia Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba QuebecIn Progress Nova Scotia New Brunswick Prince Edward Island Newfoundland and Labrador

Federal (Canada)Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents ActWell-founded

Jun 15, 2001· Indexed Apr 12, 2026

Letter of finding regarding the video surveillance issue

Centurion Security Services

The federal Privacy Commissioner investigated a complaint regarding a security company's installation of street surveillance cameras. The Commissioner found that live video feeds of individuals constituted personal information under PIPEDA and that collecting this information for commercial purposes without consent was unlawful. The company was informed that its intended public video surveillance for commercial purposes is not compliant with privacy laws.

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Outcome Notes

Federal rulings come from two regulators with different statutory authority — outcome filters cover both.

OIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding) — Since June 2019 (Bill C-58) the Information Commissioner can issue binding orders requiring disclosure or reconsideration. Enforceable after 31/41 business days unless reviewed by the Federal Court (s.41).

Well-Founded — finding that the complaint is well-founded. For OIC: ATIA s.37(1)(a) finding (may be paired with a s.36.1 order). For OPC: Privacy Act s.35(1) / PIPEDA s.13(1) advisory finding — recommendations only, no binding order-making power. Includes well-founded, well-founded & resolved, well-founded & conditionally resolved, well-founded & unresolved.

Not Well-Founded — no contravention found.

s.6.1 Application— the OIC's response to a head's application for authorization to refuse a frivolous, vexatious, or bad-faith access request. Granted = institution may refuse; Denied = institution must respond.

Settled / Resolved / Early-resolved — OPC matter resolved during or before formal findings without a contravention finding.

Declined to investigate / No jurisdiction — Procedural close (Privacy Act s.34, PIPEDA discretion, or scope outside the Acts).

References: ATIA s.36.1 · OPC disposition definitions

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Breach of Privacy is the one-stop archive for Canadian privacy decisions from federal, provincial, and territorial commissioners. Each decision includes an AI-generated plain-language summary. Always verify against the official source document.

Canadian Privacy Decisions

Letter of finding regarding the video surveillance issue

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Letter of finding regarding the video surveillance issue

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