Montreal authorities are discreetly expanding their array of AI-driven technologies to monitor vehicles and individuals throughout the city, sparking concerns regarding transparency and privacy protection.
Recently, a high-tech camera capable of scanning and recognizing vehicles was sighted on a lamppost along Henri-Bourassa Boulevard in Montreal’s Rivière-des-Prairies area. The camera, identified as a Cloudrunner CR-H2 manufactured by local company Genetec, was promptly removed following media coverage.
Unlike the controversial Flock Safety cameras commonly used in the U.S., Genetec’s system not only reads license plates but also captures and stores detailed vehicle information such as color, make, and model. The collected data is managed by its operator, unlike Flock cameras that share data in a central accessible database.
According to SPVM spokesperson Marc-Antoine Bélanger, access to the captured images is restricted to the relevant investigators. Bélanger emphasized that the camera’s removal was to safeguard ongoing investigative strategies, as the police intentionally keep their technological tools confidential to avoid compromising complex investigations.
Despite claims from the SPVM, privacy advocates argue that there has been a lack of transparency in introducing new surveillance technology. Dominique Peschard, a spokesperson for the human rights group Ligue des droits et libertés in Quebec, stressed the importance of informing the public about the tools being utilized by law enforcement without jeopardizing their operations.
The deployment of Cloudrunner cameras is part of the SPVM’s broader adoption of AI-driven solutions, including the iMotion ROC AI software from Rank One Computing. The software aids investigators in sifting through extensive video footage, with SPVM denying the use of facial recognition or biometric features.
An internal privacy impact assessment revealed potential civil liberties risks associated with the technology, including the possibility of inadvertently targeting innocent individuals and discrimination based on visible characteristics. The assessment highlighted measures to minimize discrimination risks by configuring the software to search for objects rather than identifiable traits like ethnicity.
The SPVM’s acknowledgment of the Cloudrunner camera came after initial confusion, with Montreal Police Chief Fady Dagher initially unaware of the device. Despite the revelation, the chief later clarified that the camera was being used to combat armed violence and vehicle thefts. Public records show a contract awarded to Genetec for multiple Cloudrunner units, indicating the potential for additional deployments based on investigative needs.
Andrew Elvish, vice president at Genetec, emphasized the technology’s privacy safeguards and the accountability in data handling. Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada previously endorsed the creation of a voluntary security camera registry during the 2025 municipal election campaign to enhance public safety surveillance.
In Quebec, the Commission d’accès à l’information mandates that public video surveillance must serve a legitimate, urgent objective, urging organizations to collect only essential images for targeted problem-solving. Legal expert Jean-François Latreille highlighted the necessity of strict restrictions on such technologies to prevent individuals from losing control over their privacy in public spaces.