Montreal authorities are expanding their use of AI technology to monitor vehicles and individuals throughout the city discreetly, sparking concerns about transparency and privacy. A state-of-the-art camera capable of scanning and recognizing vehicles was recently observed on a lamp post along Henri-Bourassa Boulevard in the Rivière-des-Prairies neighborhood by a Radio-Canada journalist. The camera, identified as a Cloudrunner CR-H2 manufactured by Genetec, a company based in Montreal, was promptly removed following media coverage.
Unlike the controversial Flock Safety cameras in the United States, which share data in a central database accessible to multiple law enforcement agencies, Genetec’s system operates differently, with the collected data managed by its designated operator. The Montreal Police Service (SPVM) indicated that access to the captured images is restricted to the investigators handling the relevant cases. The camera’s removal was explained by the SPVM as necessary to safeguard ongoing investigative methodologies.
Privacy advocates have criticized the lack of transparency in deploying new technologies, emphasizing the importance of informing the public about the tools being utilized without compromising operational effectiveness. The use of Cloudrunner cameras is part of a broader adoption of AI-driven technology by the SPVM. Among these technologies is the iMotion ROC AI software developed by Rank One Computing, assisting investigators in sorting through extensive video footage without implementing facial recognition or biometric capabilities, as clarified by an SPVM spokesperson.
While acknowledging the civil liberties risks posed by the technology, an internal privacy impact assessment obtained by CBC News highlighted concerns such as potential unwarranted investigations of innocent individuals and the risk of discrimination based on visible characteristics. The assessment noted efforts to mitigate discrimination by configuring the software to search for objects rather than identifiable traits like ethnicity.
Following a period of confusion, Montreal Police Chief Fady Dagher confirmed the SPVM’s ownership and use of the Cloudrunner camera for targeting armed violence and motor vehicle thefts. The city awarded a contract to Genetec for Cloudrunner units, with the possibility of adding more cameras based on investigative needs. Genetec’s vice-president emphasized the technology’s privacy-respecting design and stringent data logging practices.
The City of Montreal clarified that it did not install the Cloudrunner camera and directed inquiries about its deployment to the SPVM. Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada previously advocated for a voluntary security camera registry during the 2025 election campaign. Legal experts stress the importance of tightly regulating the use of such surveillance tools to prevent privacy infringements in public spaces.
