Cameras could be coming to Quebec long-term care homes

The Quebec government will examine a proposalthat would allow residents in long-term care facilities to decide for themselves if they want cameras installed their rooms, according to documents obtained by Radio-Canada.

The guidelines, set to be studied Wednesdayduring parliamentary hearings into legislation aimed at cracking down on elder abuse, specify that residents or their legal representatives can make the decision without "prior authorization from the institution."

The cameras can be visible or camouflaged.

The provincial government is also proposing that neither authorities noremployees be advised of the presence of a camera, a move welcomed by Jean-Pierre Mnard,a lawyer specializing in patients' rights.

Mnardsays there have been cases where staff treated residents differently once alerted of a monitoring device in the room.

"There was even a case where the patient was boycotted because they knew there was a camera," Mnard said.

Paul Brunet, chairman of the Quebec Council for the Protection of Patients, supports the proposal but adds that cameras wouldn't be needed if the government was more diligent.

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"Let's make sure that we have appropriate employees with appropriate supervision," he told CBC News.

Part of the reason residents have been pushing forcameras is because past grievances fell on deaf ears until video evidence was presented, he said.

The proposal does, however, include a few safeguards.

The monitoring devices will no be allowed to be placedin common areas such as hallways anddining rooms and will be limited in their ability to take pictures "of people who are not targeted."

The parliamentary committee the proposed legislation,Bill 115, is set tocontinue throughout the week.

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