14.75°C Vancouver

May 5, 2022 7:18 PM - The Canadian Press

Indigenous B.C. man, granddaughter settle with BMO over arrest while opening account

Share On

A British Columbia Indigenous man and his granddaughter who were arrested as they tried to open an account at the Bank of Montreal have settled a human rights complaint.

A statement says the settlement agreement includes a monetary payment from BMO to Maxwell Johnson and his granddaughter, a private apology, and a pledge from the bank to update its policies on how Indigenous status cards are handled.

Johnson and his granddaughter, who are from the Heiltsuk First Nation, were trying to open an account when police were called over suspicion they were using a fake status card.

A retired judge who led a disciplinary hearing against the two arresting officers said in a decision released last month that they "recklessly" arrested Johnson and the girl, who were held and handcuffed on a busy street in front of the bank.

Johnson announced the settlement today in the same location he was arrested, adding that he would also be closing his account.

He says it's been a difficult journey getting to this point, advocating for himself and his family, and he hopes institutions and the public educate themselves about Indigenous culture.

The man and his granddaughter still have a complaint pending against the Vancouver Police Department in the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal.

Latest news

mps-launch-probe-of-trucking-sector-after-bloc-calls-out-labour-standards
CanadaOct 07, 2025

MPs launch probe of trucking sector after Bloc calls out labour standards

A House of Commons committee is set to launch a study of labour standards in the trucking sector today after the Bloc Québécois called on the government to end what it calls exploitative practices. The transport committee is launching a study of an industry business model which sees transport companies classify drivers as independent contractors rather than employees. The Canadian Trucking Alliance has called the model the "largest tax, labour misclassification, safety and human trafficking scheme in Canada," arguing that it manipulates the tax base and jeopardizes the health and safety of C
BCOct 07, 2025

Province to remove barriers, make way for more child care at schools

The Province has introduced legislation to enable school districts in B.C. to support families with more child care on school grounds. “As a parent, I know that finding safe, convenient and affordable child care is a top priority for young families, but it’s not always easy,” said Premier David Eby. “We are building a seamless child care system in our province that supports parents from the early years through to graduation. This legislation is the first step on the path to getting more child care on school grounds all across our province. Using our existing infrastructure and partneri
drugs-cash-firearm-seized-from-local-motel
BCOct 07, 2025

Drugs, cash, firearm seized from local motel

Prince George RCMP Frontline police officers made a significant seizure of drugs and cash in late September, from a motel on the 900-block of Victoria Street, while attending to an unrelated investigation at the location. “In total, investigators seized approximately 100 grams combined of suspected fentanyl, methamphetamine and crack cocaine, and over $40,000 in cash. A firearm was also located in the room and seized,” states Corporal Jennifer Cooper, Media Relations Officer for the Prince George RCMP. Through the course of the investigation, one man was arrested on multiple firearms o
pm-mark-carney-meets-president-donald-trump
WorldOct 07, 2025

PM Mark Carney meets President Donald Trump

PM Mark Carney met President Donald Trump today for the second time in nearly six months. Trump, while meeting Carney at the White House, described the trade talks with Canada as more complicated than any other and said that there is a "natural conflict" on trade due to the geographic proximity between the US and Canada. Trump said that I love Canada and the people of Canada but we have trade interests and we are working on a formula and we will get there. During this, he also discussed the Golden Dome defense system with reporters, Trump said that he and Carney will work together on the G
arvind-kejriwal-on-punjab-visit-again
IndiaOct 07, 2025

Arvind Kejriwal on Punjab visit again

Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal is coming to Punjab for two days. He will inaugurate power transmission and distribution projects in Jalandhar with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday. The project has cost Rs 5 thousand crore. Apart from this, Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will also visit Bathinda. Where they will lay the foundation stone of 3100 new playgrounds. Earlier, Arvind Kejriwal had visited Punjab on September 5, when Punjab was under the impact of floods. During that time, he was scheduled to visit various districts of Punjab with Chief Minister B

Related News