Privacy Statement for Autonomous Recording Units (ARUs) and Camera Traps

Parks Canada sites are equipped with camera traps and autonomous recording units (ARUs) on and/or off-trail to monitor wildlife populations and habitat use.

The images and sound recordings captured by these devices are collected under the authority of section 8 of the Canada National Parks Act for studies, survey and wildlife monitoring purposes.

These uses will generally not result in an administrative decision being made about individuals that are photographed or recorded. However, incidental documentation of illegal activities may be transferred to Parks Canada’s Law Enforcement Branch. Your personal information is administered in accordance with the Canada National Parks Act, the Privacy Act and other applicable laws.

As the photos and audio recordings are not associated with a specific individual, and typically contain non-identifiable information, Parks Canada will generally not be able to provide you with your right of access to the photos taken or sounds recorded.

Since all photographic content of identifiable individuals will be deleted when photos are processed, Parks Canada will not be able to grant access rights to the photos taken. When the technology becomes more widely available and easily accessible, Parks Canada plans to move towards scrubbing human voices from audio files as well. Images and sound recordings of people are considered personal information and are administered in accordance with the Privacy Act and other applicable laws.

In case of investigation for illegal activities, please be advised that your personal information is administered in accordance with the Canada National Parks Act, the Privacy Act and other applicable laws. You have the right to the protection of, access to, and correction of your personal information, which is described in institution-specific Personal Information Law Enforcement Program PC PPU 072. Instructions for obtaining this information are outlined in the government publication entitled Info Source, which is available at the following web site address: Info Source.

Any questions, comments, concerns, or complaints regarding this collection of your personal information and its related privacy policies may be directed to PCA’s Access to Information and Privacy Office at aiprp-atip@pc.gc.ca.

You have the right to file a complaint with the Privacy Commissioner of Canada regarding Parks Canada Agency’s handling of your personal information.