STATEMENT FROM ONTARIO REGIONAL CHIEF ANGUS TOULOUSE REGARDING THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FIRST NATION POINT OF SALE TAX EXEMPTION EFFECTIVE
SEPTEMBER 1, 2010

TORONTO, Sept. 1 /CNW/ - On June 17, 2010, the Ontario government announced an agreement with the federal government to continue the First Nation point of sale tax exemption under the Harmonized Sales Tax system which came into effect in Ontario on July 1, 2010. This means that First Nations citizens in Ontario are exempt the 8% provincial portion of the 13% HST upon purchasing certain goods and services off reserve.

The First Nations in Ontario were pleased with the decision by government to continue this practice in Ontario. The Ontario government committed by letter on June 18, 2010 that "the exemption will maintain the current practice that has been in place in Ontario for the past 30 years, and will apply to Status Indians for the purchase of eligible goods and select services off reserve."

The First Nations in Ontario continue to assert that tax immunity is a Treaty right which we have never ceded and continue to oppose all taxation on our people by other governments. We will continue to exercise our rights in this regard and expect the governments of Ontario and Canada to honour the agreement that was reached in June 2010.

For further information: Andre Morriseau, Communications Officer, Ph: 416-580-9320, Email: [email protected]