March 16, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Adults in Canada welcome the use of security cameras to prevent and solve crime, according to a poll by Angus Reid Strategies. 69 per cent of respondents think the devices are necessary, while 21 per cent disagree.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Adults in Canada welcome the use of security cameras to prevent and solve crime, according to a poll by Angus Reid Strategies. 69 per cent of respondents think the devices are necessary, while 21 per cent disagree.

In addition, 63 per cent of respondents believe the need for safety trumps individual privacy rights on the topic of surveillance cameras, while 20 per cent think individual privacy rights should always come before safety concerns.

Earlier this month, Ontario’s privacy commissioner Ann Cavoukian said a plan developed by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) to install 10,000 additional surveillance cameras on buses, streetcars and subway cars complies with the Canadian province’s privacy standards, adding, "Mass transit systems like the TTC, that are required to move large volumes of people, in confined spaces, on a daily basis, give rise to unique safety and security issues for the general public and operators of the system."

Polling Data

Overall, do you think the use of security cameras is necessary to prevent and solve crime?

Yes	69%
No	21%
Not sure	10%

Which of these statements comes closer to your own point of view?

On the topic of surveillance cameras, the need for safety trumps individual privacy rights	63%
On the topic of surveillance cameras, individual privacy rights should always come before safety concerns	20%
Not sure	17%

Source: Angus Reid Strategies
Methodology: Online interviews with 1,006 Canadian adults, conducted on Mar. 5 and Mar. 6, 2008. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.

 

Complete Poll (PDF)

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