Nearly 70% of Owen Sound FOI Requests Tied to Police Need for Downtown Camera Footage
Owen Sound completed 95 FOI requests in 2025, with 69% tied to police requests for River District and other municipal camera footage.
Most of Owen Sound’s Freedom of Information requests in 2025 were tied to police seeking access to municipal camera footage — including video from the City’s River District surveillance pilot program.
A year-in-review report presented to the Corporate Services Committee on February 12, then communicated to Council in that meeting’s minutes, shows the City completed 95 FOI requests in 2025.
Of those, 69% came from the Owen Sound Police Service requesting footage from River District cameras, as well as other municipal camera systems such as traffic and facility cameras.
Council received the report for information as part of the consent agenda.
Camera Pilot Approved in 2024
In 2024, Council approved a three-year, two-phase pilot program to install 17 surveillance cameras in the River District. Phase One saw nine cameras installed at key downtown intersections, with Phase Two planned for 2025.
The program was funded through the Community Policing Reserve and Cannabis Reserve Funds.
Under a Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the Owen Sound Police Service, police may request access to River District surveillance footage.
Requests for other municipal camera systems continue to be processed through City staff under Ontario’s Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Processing Time and Costs
According to the report summary provided to Council:
90 of the 95 requests were completed within the legislated 30-day timeframe
Five requests required a 30-day extension
322 hours were spent administering FOI files
More than $4,000 in fees were collected
FOI requests have increased steadily since 2021. During committee discussion, staff noted that FOI fees are set by the province and have not been updated in more than 30 years.
The fees collected do not reflect the full staff time required to process requests, they reported.
Workload Implications
Staff advised that the size and scope of FOI requests can vary significantly, particularly when video footage is involved. Municipalities with surveillance infrastructure may see higher volumes of requests, especially from police services.
The 2025 figures mark the first full reporting year following the installation of Phase One River District cameras.
Council made no changes to policy as part of receiving the report.
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