Quebec's Law 25 and Your Security Camera System

1. Adopt a video surveillance policy and name a person responsible.
2. Tell people about the cameras with visible signs, and add a phone number for questions.
3. Limit the scope: plan how many cameras you need, where they go and when they run, and avoid places with a very high expectation of privacy.
4. Secure the recordings: lock the room, limit access, use passwords, have authorized people sign confidentiality commitments and plan for a security incident.
5. Limit who can see the images and what they can be used for, and do not share them with third parties without authorization.
6. Delete recordings securely as soon as they are no longer needed. The guide says 30 days is generally sufficient and recommended.
7. Plan for requests from people who appear on the footage, without revealing other people’s information.
8. Public bodies have an extra step, which does not apply to private businesses.
9. Review the need and the policy regularly, and stop filming when the purpose is met.

The 30 days is guidance, not a number written into the Act. A longer period needs a reason you can explain.

Where not to point a camera

The CAI lists homes, bedrooms, dormitories, consulting rooms, showers, toilets, changing rooms and fitting rooms as places where people expect the most privacy. Keep cameras out of these areas. Our guides to retail store camera placement and cameras at work show how to cover doors, tills and stock without filming private spaces.

Signs and notice in Quebec

Section 8 requires you to tell people what you collect and why, and the CAI suggests visible signs where cameras operate. A good sign names the business, says that cameras record, gives the purpose and shows a number to call. Quebec’s language rules apply to public signs, so make sure the French text is there and check the requirements for your sign. For wording ideas, read do you need a security camera sign in Canada.

Audio, employees and tenants

• Audio. The CAI guide covers cameras that record “with or without sound”. Audio is more intrusive, and recording private conversations can also break the Criminal Code. Keep it off unless you have a specific, documented need. See is security camera audio recording legal in Canada.
• Employees. The CAI asks whether you should consult the people affected first, such as employees. Tell staff in writing what is filmed and why.
• Tenants and co-owners. The same consultation question applies to tenants and condo owners. Our landlord camera guide covers the rental side.
• Facial recognition and analytics. Section 8.1 applies to technology that identifies, locates or profiles people, and biometric systems have further rules. Get legal advice before using them.

A Quebec camera checklist

1. Write the purpose and the facts behind it, and consider less intrusive options.
2. Complete a privacy impact assessment before you buy or switch on a system.
3. Name the person in charge and publish their title and contact details on your website.
4. Write a short camera policy: purpose, camera locations, who can view, retention period, access requests.
5. Post signs in French at each entrance with a contact number.
6. Lock the recorder, use strong passwords and keep an access list.
7. Set a deletion schedule, with 30 days as the CAI’s reference point, and check that it works.
8. Keep an incident register and know who to call if footage is lost or leaked.
9. Review the setup every year and remove cameras you no longer need.

See the broader security camera laws in Canada guide for the federal and provincial picture, and our guide to giving footage to police for what to do when asked.

Plan a business camera system

Planning cameras for a business? Pixl Canada gives a free walkthrough and a written quote for business camera systems, and you pay after the job. Quebec has its own installer rules, so ask us whether we serve your area before booking. See Pixl for businesses and the business security camera system guide.