Only a handful of First Nations taking part in taxation program
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Filed Under:
Canada
Only 22 First Nations are taking part in the
First Nations Goods and Services Tax program offered by the Canadian government but at least one more might be signing up.
Under the program, a First Nation can charge the same tax as the federal tax. A portion of the revenues go back to the reserve.
"We've seen it as a tax that can stay here in our community and can benefit the community," Chief Darcy Bear of the
Whitecap Dakota First Nation told CBC News.
The Whitecap Dakota First Nation, which sees about $1 million a year in tax revenues, is the only one in Saskatchewan that's taking part in the program.
But leaders of the
Cowessess First Nation say it could help their reserve as well.
According to
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, the FNGST has generated about $11.5 million for participating tribal governments.
Get the Story:
First Nations GST a hot topic in Sask.
(CBC 4/5)
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