Some grocery stores in Toronto, owned by Sobeys Inc., are currently testing body-worn cameras on cashiers. This pilot program was confirmed by the retailer after cameras were observed on FreshCo cashiers at a location on Sherbourne and Isabella streets. According to Sobeys spokesperson Caitlin Gray, the cameras aim to address harassment and assaults against employees, as well as to deter shoplifting and other criminal activities.

However, James Turk, director of the Centre for Free Expression at Toronto Metropolitan University, expressed concerns about the effectiveness of the cameras. He stated, "I think it makes any employee … more vulnerable rather than safer because potential thieves may see the bodycam and just want to grab it off them."

Despite these concerns, Gray noted that Sobeys has experienced a significant reduction in violence and aggression towards both employees and customers since implementing the cameras in select locations. She clarified that the body cameras only record when activated during incidents and are not used for monitoring employees.

The timeline for the pilot program's official start has not been disclosed by Sobeys. This initiative aligns with a broader trend in the retail sector, as Loblaw Companies Ltd. has also been piloting body cameras in some of its stores for the past two years.

Privacy experts have raised additional concerns regarding the use of body-worn cameras. The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, which does not oversee private sector organizations like grocery stores, expressed worries that these cameras might collect more information than necessary. They emphasized the importance of informing the public about the use of body cameras, including details on how long footage is retained.

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada echoed these sentiments, stating that organizations must ensure the public is aware of video surveillance and that recordings no longer needed should be destroyed or anonymized. In response, Gray stated that stores involved in the Sobeys pilot are complying with all relevant privacy laws, including displaying appropriate signage.

Rui Rodrigues, an executive advisor for loss prevention and risk management at the Retail Council of Canada, supports the use of body cameras. He noted that retailers have been exploring various options to mitigate crime in their locations, especially as thefts and violent incidents have increased in recent years. Rodrigues pointed out that the visibility of body cameras can deter opportunistic criminals, stating, "I think the key is the knowledge that it's there. It's in your face."

Data from Toronto police indicates a rise in shoplifting incidents valued over $5,000, increasing from 32 in 2020 to 105 in 2024. Rodrigues believes that more visible cameras can help deter crime, comparing them to public view monitors that retailers have used for years.

In response to Turk's claim that body cameras are redundant compared to fixed surveillance cameras, Rodrigues argued that body cameras offer a different perspective during incidents and may better capture images of individuals trying to conceal their identities. Turk advised employees who feel unsafe wearing body cameras to discuss their concerns with their employers, stating, "If an individual feels that wearing a bodycam puts them at risk, they have a right to refuse."

The ongoing pilot program at FreshCo and other stores reflects a growing trend in the retail industry to enhance security measures while balancing employee safety and privacy concerns.