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Ottawa, Ontario (December 27, 2007) - New regulations published in the Canada Gazette (external link, opens a new window) on December 26, 2007 will enable 33 First Nations to participate in the property tax provisions of the First Nations Fiscal and Statistical Management Act (external link, opens a new window) (FSMA). As a result, these First Nations will have access to additional fiscal tools not currently available under the Indian Act (external link, opens a new window) .
"By choosing to exercise property tax jurisdiction under the First Nations Fiscal and Statistical Management Act, these First Nations will be better positioned to promote economic growth, strengthen their accountability and foster a better quality of life for their members," said Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians.
For First Nations, property taxes provide an independent and stable source of revenue that can be leveraged in First Nation communities to build economic infrastructure, attract investment and promote sustained economic growth. Under the FSMA (external link, opens a new window) , the First Nations Tax Commission will assume and streamline the approval of the real property taxation laws made by participating First Nations and better balance community and taxpayer interests in First Nation communities.
Mr. C.T. (Manny) Jules, Chief Commissioner of the First Nations Tax Commission (external link, opens a new window) , congratulated these First Nations in this unprecedented milestone. "We are on the leading edge of change," said Mr. Jules. "In opting to exercise their tax jurisdiction through the FSMA, these First Nations are laying the foundation for true self-government and a real economy."
The FSMA came into force on April 1 2006 and is the result of over a decade of work by First Nation leaders who know first hand the limitations of the Indian Act (external link, opens a new window) when it comes to building First Nation economies. This optional piece of legislation establishes four national institutions that will improve the ability of First Nations governments to address the social and economic well being of their communities while providing access to engines of economic development.
A list of First Nations participating under the First Nations Fiscal and Statistical Management Act (external link, opens a new window) is attached.
For more information, please contact:
INAC Minister's Office
Ted Yeomans
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Chuck Strahl
(819) 997-0002
INAC Media Relations
(819) 953-1160
First Nations Tax Commission
Agnes Papanastasiou
Public Affairs Officer
(613) 954-6201
Participating First Nations under the First Nations Fiscal and Statistical Management Act (external link, opens a new window) , beginning January 1, 2008:
Adams Lake Indian Band
?Akisq'nuk First Nation
Alexander First Nation
Chehalis Indian Band
Chemainus First Nation
Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation
Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation
Kamloops Indian Band
Kitselas First Nation
Lequ'á:mel First Nation
Lower Kootenay Indian Band
Lower Nicola Indian Band
Metepenagiag Mi'kmaq Nation
Moricetown Indian Band
Muskeg Lake Cree Nation
Nanoose First Nation
Osoyoos Indian Band
Seabird Island Band
Shuswap First Nation
Shxwhá:y Village First Nation
Simpcw First Nation
Skeetchestn Indian Band
Sliammon First Nation
Songhees First Nation
St. Mary's First Nation
Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations
Tobacco Plains Indian Band
Tobique First Nation
Tsawout First Nation
Tsawwassen First Nation
Tzeachten First Nation
We Wai Kai Nation
White Bear First Nation
