Holt Renfrew issues apology after Ojibway man's status card rejected in Montreal store

Evan James Redsky says he and his girlfriend were escorted out of a Holt Renfrew store in Montreal after two managers refused to honour his tax exemption.

"As an Indigenous consumer, this is our worst nightmare," said Redsky.

His status card is a federal government identification that offers certain rights to First Nations under the Indian Act, including some tax exemptions.

Redsky's card is expired, but due to the pandemic, the government has extended expiration dates on such cards until May 1. Regardless, his status never expires, and an up-to-date card isn't required to access his rights.

Redsky is from the Mississauga First Nation and lives in Toronto. He said he used his status card there a few weeks ago at a different Holt Renfrew without any trouble. In fact, he said, he's never had trouble at any store in the Toronto area and he has lived there for about 12 years.

"They all accept it without question," he told CBC Montreal's Daybreak.

The incident in Montreal took place on March 26. Being refused was a shocking experience that felt as though his identity was being called into question, Redsky said.

"Either there's a discrepancy in their policies between stores or these employees made a choice not to be helpful with us that day," he said.

Redsky filed a formal complaint with Holt Renfrew, a fashion retailer and department store chain. The company has since apologized on social media.

"On Saturday, in our Montreal store, a tax exemption was denied to an Indigenous customer due to an expired status card. This was not acceptable and does not reflect our values or who we are," the company said on Instagram.

"The actions taken by our employees, while not intended to come from a place of discrimination, were not acceptable. We apologize for how the situation was managed and escalated."

The company recognized its error, and says it is "accelerating and heightening training and introducing several changes as a direct result of this incident."

The company says it has communicated to all store employees that status cards will be honoured in accordance with government guidance, regardless of expiration.

"We will ensure all our employees are provided training on our updated policy and new processes by the end of this week," the post said.