Media Advisory - HST demonstration to impede on highway traffic

FORT WILLIAM, ON, May 4 /CNW/ - Native leaders and supporters will rally tomorrow afternoon and slow down traffic to protest the Harmonized Sales Tax.

"We are asking all Anishinabek Nation citizens and our allies to help defeat a tax that represents a cash grab from the poorest Canadians and an assault against the Treaty Right to tax exemption," says Regional Chief Peter Collins.

"This tax is a direct attack of our treaty rights to remain tax exempt," says Chief Collins. "The implementation of the HST will impact all citizens of Ontario. We need to join together to oppose this action. We encourage all citizens to contact their member of Parliament and MPP and have their say against the HST."

"Thousands of First Nations families - to whom his government publicly apologized and promised a better future - would be further impoverished by $100 a week by this immoral and illegal tax proposal," says Collins.

    
    WHAT:  Demonstration against the Harmonized Sales Tax

    WHO:   First Nation leaders, First Nation citizens and Ontario citizens

    WHERE: Highway 11/17, Arthur St. and Syndicate Avenue, Thunder Bay, ON

    WHEN: 12-4pm, Tuesday, May 4, 2010
    

The Anishinabek Nation established the Union of Ontario Indians as its secretariat in 1949. The UOI is a political advocate for 40 member First Nations across Ontario. The Union of Ontario Indians is the oldest political organization in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European contact.

For further information: Marci Becking - Communications Officer, Union of Ontario Indians, [email protected], [phone] ext. 2290, Cell [phone]