Heiltsuk Man Settles With BMO More Than Two Years After He and His Granddaughter Were Wrongfully Arrested

An Indigenous man has reached a settlement more than two years after he and his granddaughter were arrested while trying to open an account.

Maxwell Johnson and his 12 year-old granddaughter, who are members of the Heiltsuk Nation, visited the bank’s Burrard Street branch in Vancouver in December of 2019.

While attempting to open an account, staff members called 9-1-1 alleging fraud, after inspecting their identification and status cards.

When police arrived, they publicly cuffed the pair, before arresting them.

Johnson then filed complaints with the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner, and both the BC and Canadian Human Rights Tribunals.

In April, it was ruled that officers recklessly used unnecessary force in the arrest.

Now, Johnson has reached a settlement with BMO, which includes financial compensation, and more.

BMO will be required to issue an apology at a private ceremony in Bella Coola, and display Johnson’s artwork in a number of branches.

In addition, the bank will be required to display land acknowledgements at designated branches, and undergo Indigenous cultural training.