The paper trail: our freedom-of-information requests

Dear Freedom of Information Coordinator, This is a request for records under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). The $5.00 application fee is enclosed / has been paid. I request electronic copies of records where they exist in electronic form. Please provide final versions of records; I am not requesting drafts. If any portion of a responsive record is withheld, please cite the specific exemption relied upon and disclose the remainder as required by s. 4(2). If estimated fees will exceed $25, please provide a fee estimate and advise me of fee-waiver provisions before proceeding, as required following the 2026 amendments — I am open to narrowing the scope of this request to reduce fees or processing time. Please note the amended definition of 'record' expressly includes data stored digitally; system configuration values responsive to this request are records in that sense.

I request the following records:

1. Records sufficient to identify the number and locations (street address or intersection) of any fixed (non-vehicle-mounted) automated licence plate recognition (ALPR) cameras installed, piloted, or approved for installation by the Toronto Police Service, from January 1, 2023 to present.
2. The final Privacy Impact Assessment(s) for the ALPR program, including any updates prepared for the integration of ALPR into the in-car camera system completed in 2024–2025.
3. Records showing the currently configured retention periods in the ALPR system for (a) non-hit plate reads, (b) hit records, and (c) associated audit logs — for example, a system configuration export, administrative settings document, or governance procedure stating the configured values.
4. Any agreements, memoranda of understanding, or system configuration records governing the sharing of ALPR data with other police services or agencies, including whether any vendor cross-agency data-sharing features are enabled or disabled.
5. Final audit or compliance reports concerning access to or searches of ALPR data, from January 1, 2024 to present.
6. Records sufficient to identify which initiatives funded under the 'AI Operationalization' line of the 2026 operating/capital budget involve ALPR or licence-plate data.
7. Statistical or aggregate records showing, for the period January 1, 2023 to present: (a) the number of internal investigations, professional standards investigations, or privacy breach investigations involving alleged unauthorized access to, or misuse of, ALPR data, CPIC, or other police databases; (b) the number of substantiated findings; and (c) the disciplinary outcomes by category (e.g., training, forfeiture of hours, demotion, dismissal, criminal charge). To be clear, I am not requesting the names or identifying information of any individual — aggregate counts and severed summaries are responsive to this item. I also request any reports to the Police Services Board concerning misuse of ALPR or database access, and records showing whether and how often proactive audits of ALPR queries are conducted (audit policy, frequency, and the most recent audit report, severed as required).

Thank you for your assistance. I look forward to your response within the statutory period of 45 business days. Sincerely, [Name] [Mailing address] [Email] · [Phone]

Dear Freedom of Information Coordinator, This is a request for records under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). The $5.00 application fee is enclosed / has been paid. I request electronic copies of records where they exist in electronic form. Please provide final versions of records; I am not requesting drafts. If any portion of a responsive record is withheld, please cite the specific exemption relied upon and disclose the remainder as required by s. 4(2). If estimated fees will exceed $25, please provide a fee estimate and advise me of fee-waiver provisions before proceeding, as required following the 2026 amendments — I am open to narrowing the scope of this request to reduce fees or processing time. Please note the amended definition of 'record' expressly includes data stored digitally; system configuration values responsive to this request are records in that sense.

I request the following records:

1. Records sufficient to determine whether the Halton Regional Police Service currently operates, has piloted, or has approved the acquisition of any automated licence plate recognition (ALPR) technology — vehicle-mounted or fixed — from January 1, 2023 to present, including the number of units and the vendor(s).
2. If any fixed ALPR cameras exist or are approved: records sufficient to identify their locations (street address or intersection).
3. Any Privacy Impact Assessment prepared for ALPR or licence-plate-reading technology.
4. Records showing the configured or approved retention periods for (a) non-hit plate reads and (b) hit records.
5. Any agreements governing the sharing of ALPR data with other police services or agencies.
6. Statistical or aggregate records showing, for the period January 1, 2023 to present: (a) the number of internal investigations, professional standards investigations, or privacy breach investigations involving alleged unauthorized access to, or misuse of, ALPR data, CPIC, or other police databases; (b) the number of substantiated findings; and (c) the disciplinary outcomes by category (e.g., training, forfeiture of hours, demotion, dismissal, criminal charge). To be clear, I am not requesting the names or identifying information of any individual — aggregate counts and severed summaries are responsive to this item. I also request any reports to the Police Services Board concerning misuse of ALPR or database access, and records showing whether and how often proactive audits of ALPR queries are conducted (audit policy, frequency, and the most recent audit report, severed as required).

Thank you for your assistance. I look forward to your response within the statutory period of 45 business days. Sincerely, [Name] [Mailing address] [Email] · [Phone]

Dear Freedom of Information Coordinator, This is a request under MFIPPA. The $5 fee has been paid. Please provide final records in electronic form. If any portion is withheld, cite the specific exemption and sever the remainder (s. 4(2)). If fees will exceed $25, send an estimate first; I will narrow scope if needed. Digitally stored data, including system configuration values, are records for the purposes of this request. I request, from Jan 1, 2023 to present unless stated:

I request the following records:

1. Records sufficient to identify the locations (address or intersection) of fixed ALPR-capable cameras installed or approved in Peel Region, including the Brampton intersection camera program.
2. Deployment locations and dates of the portable unit combining acoustic detection, PTZ cameras, ALPR and loudspeaker, from Jan 1, 2025.
3. Final Privacy Impact Assessment(s) for ALPR and for the portable unit.
4. Records showing currently configured ALPR retention periods for (a) non-hit reads, (b) hits, (c) audit logs — e.g. a configuration export or governance procedure stating the values.
5. Agreements or configuration records governing sharing of ALPR data with other police services or agencies.
6. Final audit or compliance reports on access to or searches of ALPR data, from Jan 1, 2025.
7. Aggregate records showing (a) the number of internal, professional standards or privacy-breach investigations involving alleged unauthorized access to or misuse of ALPR, CPIC or other police databases; (b) substantiated findings; (c) disciplinary outcomes by category. No names or identifying information are requested — aggregate counts and severed summaries are responsive. Also: reports to the Police Services Board on ALPR or database misuse, and the audit policy, frequency and most recent report for proactive ALPR query audits, severed as required.

Thank you for your assistance. I look forward to your response within the statutory period of 45 business days. Sincerely, [Name] [Mailing address] [Email] · [Phone]

Dear Freedom of Information Coordinator, This is a request for records under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). The $5.00 application fee is enclosed / has been paid. I request electronic copies of records where they exist in electronic form. Please provide final versions of records; I am not requesting drafts. If any portion of a responsive record is withheld, please cite the specific exemption relied upon and disclose the remainder as required by s. 4(2). If estimated fees will exceed $25, please provide a fee estimate and advise me of fee-waiver provisions before proceeding, as required following the 2026 amendments — I am open to narrowing the scope of this request to reduce fees or processing time. Please note the amended definition of 'record' expressly includes data stored digitally; system configuration values responsive to this request are records in that sense.

I request the following records:

1. Records sufficient to identify the locations (street address or intersection) of cameras in the York Regional Police CCTV/camera program, each of which has been publicly described as having ALPR capability, from January 1, 2023 to present.
2. Records concerning the approval and scope of the approximately $255,000 expansion of the camera program, including the number of cameras added and their planned locations.
3. Records showing the currently configured retention periods for (a) non-hit plate reads, (b) hit records, and (c) camera video, and records describing how camera/ALPR data flows into the Real-Time Operations Centre, including any vendor platform used.
4. The analysis, methodology, and underlying data supporting the public statement attributed to Deputy Chief Paulo Da Silva that areas within 1 km of a CCTV camera saw a crime reduction of 6% or more compared to 2024.
5. The final Privacy Impact Assessment(s) for the camera/ALPR program.
6. Any agreements governing the sharing of camera or ALPR data with other police services or agencies.
7. Statistical or aggregate records showing, for the period January 1, 2023 to present: (a) the number of internal investigations, professional standards investigations, or privacy breach investigations involving alleged unauthorized access to, or misuse of, ALPR data, CPIC, or other police databases; (b) the number of substantiated findings; and (c) the disciplinary outcomes by category (e.g., training, forfeiture of hours, demotion, dismissal, criminal charge). To be clear, I am not requesting the names or identifying information of any individual — aggregate counts and severed summaries are responsive to this item. I also request any reports to the Police Services Board concerning misuse of ALPR or database access, and records showing whether and how often proactive audits of ALPR queries are conducted (audit policy, frequency, and the most recent audit report, severed as required).

Thank you for your assistance. I look forward to your response within the statutory period of 45 business days. Sincerely, [Name] [Mailing address] [Email] · [Phone]

Dear Freedom of Information Coordinator, This is a request for records under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). The $5.00 application fee is enclosed / has been paid. I request electronic copies of records where they exist in electronic form. Please provide final versions of records; I am not requesting drafts. If any portion of a responsive record is withheld, please cite the specific exemption relied upon and disclose the remainder as required by s. 4(2). If estimated fees will exceed $25, please provide a fee estimate and advise me of fee-waiver provisions before proceeding, as required following the 2026 amendments — I am open to narrowing the scope of this request to reduce fees or processing time. Please note the amended definition of 'record' expressly includes data stored digitally; system configuration values responsive to this request are records in that sense.

I request the following records:

1. Records sufficient to identify the locations (street address or intersection) of the combined CCTV and ALPR cameras that went live on or about June 23, 2026, and of any additional sites planned or approved for Kitchener, Cambridge, and North Dumfries.
2. The final Privacy Impact Assessment(s) for the CCTV/ALPR program.
3. Records showing the currently configured retention periods for (a) non-hit plate reads, (b) hit records, and (c) CCTV video.
4. The funding agreement, terms, or conditions under which the program is funded through Ontario's Guns, Gangs and Violence Reduction Strategy, including any reporting obligations to the Province.
5. Any agreements governing the sharing of camera or ALPR data with other police services or agencies.
6. Statistical or aggregate records showing, for the period January 1, 2023 to present: (a) the number of internal investigations, professional standards investigations, or privacy breach investigations involving alleged unauthorized access to, or misuse of, ALPR data, CPIC, or other police databases; (b) the number of substantiated findings; and (c) the disciplinary outcomes by category (e.g., training, forfeiture of hours, demotion, dismissal, criminal charge). To be clear, I am not requesting the names or identifying information of any individual — aggregate counts and severed summaries are responsive to this item. I also request any reports to the Police Services Board concerning misuse of ALPR or database access, and records showing whether and how often proactive audits of ALPR queries are conducted (audit policy, frequency, and the most recent audit report, severed as required).

Thank you for your assistance. I look forward to your response within the statutory period of 45 business days. Sincerely, [Name] [Mailing address] [Email] · [Phone]