A well-known market on Vancouver Island has been ordered to pay three-quarters of a million dollars following a severe privacy breach involving covertly recorded washroom footage that was later discovered on a pornographic website based in Russia.
The Settlement and the Source of the Breach
The Red Barn Market at Mattick's Farm in Cordova Bay has agreed to a settlement totalling $750,000. This resolution stems from a complaint filed with the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal. The case centered on videos recorded in employee washrooms, which were subsequently uploaded to the internet without consent.
According to the tribunal's findings, the illicit recordings were made using a hidden camera. The footage, which captured employees in vulnerable, private moments, was eventually posted to a Russian pornographic site. The breach represented a profound violation of the workers' privacy and dignity.
Consequences and Tribunal Findings
The tribunal's decision, published in late December 2025, highlighted the employer's failure to provide a safe and private work environment. The substantial financial penalty underscores the seriousness with which such privacy violations are treated under British Columbia's human rights law.
The $750,000 settlement is intended to compensate the affected employees for the humiliation, distress, and violation they experienced. The case serves as a stark warning to all employers about their fundamental duty to protect employee privacy, especially in sensitive areas like washrooms and change rooms.
A Broader Lesson for Businesses
This incident transcends a single business, acting as a critical case study for corporate responsibility. Employers across Canada must ensure robust policies and physical safeguards are in place to prevent unauthorized surveillance. The legal and financial repercussions of failing to do so can be severe, as demonstrated by this precedent-setting settlement.
The ruling reinforces that workplace privacy is a non-negotiable right. Businesses must proactively audit their spaces for potential vulnerabilities and foster a culture where employees feel secure. The outcome of this case will likely influence how similar breaches are handled by tribunals and courts in the future, emphasizing accountability and substantial redress for victims.
