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Halifax Regional Police are stepping up security downtown with surveillance cameras in light of the G7 ministerial meeting this week.

But Coun. Waye Mason was surprised when he read about residents’ concerns about the cameras, installed outside Cornwallis Park, across from the Westin hotel and the corner of Hollis and South streets, as he wasn’t aware of them himself.

“The sudden appearance of video cameras this weekend was understandably worrying to some residents,” said the District 7 councillor, noting there are no signs about the cameras.

But police spokesman Const. John MacLeod said “these measures are standard precautionary steps expected with any event involving international attendees of that level.”

Other security measures have also been taken, but the spokesman wouldn’t disclose other details.

Catherine Tully, the information and privacy commissioner for Nova Scotia, also wasn’t aware of the cameras.

“I do view video surveillance as highly privacy invasive, so I’m always concerned about video surveillance,” said the commissioner, while acknowledging it is a common practice during these types of events.

Public bodies, such as the police, are not required to submit a privacy impact assessment.

“It’s a serious weakness in our law,” said Tully. “They have to comply with the rules but there’s no oversight because of the way the law is written.”

Although the cameras are in public spaces, people still have some expectation of privacy in those areas, said privacy lawyer David Fraser.

“We obviously, as a host of an event like this, have an obligation to ensure security but that’s never a blank cheque,” Fraser said.

He voiced his concerns about who’s watching, the systems security and the purposes behind them.

“Are they using facial recognition technology? You’re never going to get an answer. So much of what is happening behind the curtain dictates the privacy impact, but the problem is things happening behind the curtain, police will never tell you about until well after the fact.”

Mason understands the conference presents international security implications but he hopes they’ll be removed immediately after.

“CCTV surveillance is not a part of our normal policing model in Halifax.”

Fraser and Tully agreed the cameras are not justifiable after the G7 meeting.

“In my local park, the worst thing that can happen is people walking dogs off-leash and kids hide in the shadows and drink booze ... so more often than not, these types of technologies start getting used for pretty mundane things,” said Fraser.

If the cameras are not removed immediately after the event, Tully said the commission would contact the police. However, the police are in control over whether the cameras are removed after the event.

MacLeod declined to comment on whether the cameras were temporary or permanent.

Environment, energy and oceans ministers will hold a two-day meeting in Halifax beginning Wednesday.