Delegate says if ban goes through it sets a bad precedent

By ZACHARY ROMAN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Town of Caledon staff will review whether prohibiting the public's ability to take photos and videos during Council meetings is warranted or allowed. 

At Caledon Council's April 8 general committee meeting, Ward 3 Councillor Doug Maskell brought forward a motion requesting that “the municipal clerk investigate options to prohibit the outside video recording or photography of Council or its Committee meetings through a procedure by-law amendment and report back on findings with any recommendations to [the] governance review committee in the fourth quarter of 2025.”

In his motion, Maskell cited concerns about artificial intelligence and other forms of technology being used to alter images and videos taken of councillors to create misleading content. 

“This is a request for the clerk's department to take a look at what the practices are across Ontario and see if this is warranted,” said Maskell. “I think this is a mere request to investigate this, and then we'll figure out… whether the juice is worth the squeeze on this one.”

Caledon resident Mira Budd delegated to Maskell's motion at the April 8 meeting. 

“If the Town can record the meetings, so should the media, so should the public… I just don't like the precedent this would put forward,” said Budd. “If AI is a concern, [alterations] can still be done with screen recordings. There's no law in Canada that says in public places you cannot take photos and videos.”

Regional Councillor Mario Russo said Budd brought up great points.

“The key to this motion… is that it's a request for a review. We're not making any decisions. We're just asking staff to look at things, perhaps look at legalities, perhaps look at other options,” said Russo. “Having sat in this Chamber, I have seen members of the public just start recording people… people that may not want to be recorded.”

Russo acknowledged that Council is recorded but only from a stationary camera that records Councillors and anyone who delegates.

Maskell's motion was passed with only Regional Councillor Christina Early in opposition.