"But while ALPR’s initial applications in B.C. — stopping unlicensed and uninsured drivers — may have appeared benign, the system’s future use is cause for alarm, said a policy director with the B.C. Civil Liberties Association. “This is for interceptions that have nothing to do with stolen vehicles,” Micheal Vonn said. Instead, the use of police databases combined with licence scanning will lead to “pre-emptive policing,” Ms. Vonn said from Vancouver. In Britain, ALPR has been used to intercept protesters on their way to demonstrations, she said."

... considering it was in the Globe and Mail in 2010. It's since been memory-holed, though reposted here: http://statismwatch.ca/2010/01/11/b-c-to-get-license-plate-scanning-system/ Ontario has had a pilot project ongoing for some time as well now. Welcome to your creepy future.