Nova Scotia Landlord Charged with Voyeurism After Camera Found

A young mother in Digby County, Nova Scotia, made a shocking discovery when she found a hidden camera in the bathroom of her rental apartment. The incident has led to voyeurism charges against her Nova Scotia landlord, who allegedly installed the device to monitor his tenant’s private moments.

Discovery of the Hidden Camera

The young mother, whose identity is being protected, was in the bath when she noticed a small object on the ceiling that seemed out of place. Upon closer inspection, she realized it wasn’t a screw as it appeared, but rather a tiny camera. “I had a feeling it wasn’t a screw. I was shaking, I was in sheer, utter panic,” she recalled. The woman immediately contacted RCMP, who arrived and removed the camera from the ceiling.

To her horror, the camera’s long wire led directly to the landlord’s upstairs apartment. Officers conducted a search at the landlord’s home and seized items related to the offence of voyeurism.

Landlord Charged and Released

After the discovery, authorities charged the landlord with voyeurism. They released him on conditions, and he is awaiting a court appearance in May. The RCMP is continuing the investigation, and officials may file more charges based on the footage’s content and who they may have captured on camera.

The woman, who had been living in the apartment with her toddler since November, expressed how violated and unsafe she felt. “I still feel sick to my stomach because of it,” she said. “I don’t even know a word to describe how low and violated I felt.”

Privacy Concerns and Legal Implications

Privacy expert David Fraser, a lawyer at McInnes Cooper, highlighted the severity of voyeurism in the digital age. “This is an incredibly serious offence. Fraser explained, “The concern is always where that footage ended up,” emphasizing the risk of recordings being shared or posted online.

The tenant revealed that many of her family members used the bathroom during her stay. This left her anxiously waiting for more details from the RCMP about the footage.

Housing Crisis Makes Escaping Difficult

Her fears grew due to housing insecurity. As a mother on income assistance, she struggled to find affordable housing in the rural area. Affordable rentals are scarce, and public housing waiting lists are long. Advocates warn that this situation is becoming more common in rural Canada. Housing shortages often leave vulnerable tenants trapped in unsafe living conditions.

A Message to Other Tenants

Now staying at her mother’s home, the woman encourages others to trust their instincts. If they ever feel unsafe in their rented space, they should speak up. “You should feel safe in the place you’re paying to rent,” she said. She hopes her story helps prevent others from facing the same situation.

More…

• https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/she-felt-like-she-was-being-watched-then-she-found-a-hidden-camera-in-her-bathroom-1.7513208
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=HS-v-W1R4og
• https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6730172