Settlement reached in human rights complaint against Regina Canadian Tire

A confidential settlement has been reached between an Indigenous man and a Canadian Tire franchise owner in Regina.

Kamao Cappo filed a human rights complaint after a store manager at the Canadian Tire location in the city’s east end used physical force while accusing Cappo of trying to steal a chainsaw.

Cappo recorded the July 2017 incident and posted the video on Facebook, which quickly racked up views.

After an investigation, police decided not to lay any charges against the manager, who is no longer employed at the store.

On Wednesday, the Human Rights Commission announced both sides had reached a mutually agreeable resolution. Because the settlement is confidential, no details were given, though when asked if he accepted money as part of the settlement Cappo did not deny it.

In a joint public statement, the store formally acknowledged the hurt suffered by Cappo as a result of the incident and force used against him. The franchise owner, Francois Brien, also personally apologized to Cappo, who accepted the apology.

The statement continues, saying “the store recognizes that members of Indigenous communities in Regina have suffered and continue to suffer from incidents of actual and perceived racism. As a result, the store has taken proactive steps to ensure that it can become an example for how to provide exceptional customer service to Indigenous customers.”

The store is in the process of developing a new training program focused on better serving Indigenous customers. Brien will first work with consultants, then Cappo will give input and feedback with the hope of implementing the new training program by the fall.

“After meeting Francois, I sense that he’s a genuine person and I believe that he’ll make a real commitment to what he is saying about dealing with his staff and making sure that things are appropriate,” said Cappo, adding neither side wants to deal with an incident like this again.

“Mr. Brien has taken steps since the time of the complaint to try to ensure that this situation doesn’t happen again. This specific training program came out of a dialogue with Mr. Cappo that led to this resolution,” said Brien’s lawyer Andrew Dixon.

Cappo admitted he would have wanted charges laid against the employee, adding society needs to know that kind of behaviour is unacceptable. He said he still experiences racism daily in Regina but is glad the local Canadian Tire store has the courage to begin to deal with it.

“What I feel really good about (in) this whole thing is that a large corporation and a business leader in Regina has taken ownership and is going to do something,” said Cappo.

Cappo’s lawyer, Larry Kowalchuk, also made a point of acknowledging the courage it takes for someone in Saskatchewan to come forward with a racism complaint. He said this case is proof it can lead to what he called a “transformative solution”.

“The message that can come from this is, call the Human Rights Commission when you face racism in Saskatchewan. Do it. Don’t take it. There is a responsibility to report it and act on it,” said Kowalchuk.

The Human Rights Commissioner said 10 per cent of complaints are related to racism.

The video Cappo posted to Facebook