better late than never

Hi Friends
The First Nations in Ontario are about to embark on a protest in effort to halt the imposing of the HST on their citizens. Since I am an off reserve citizen, I do indeed pay taxes. Income tax as well as property taxes. In the immigration hand books the government states, that First Nations, of this country do not pay taxes.
Lying by omission is still lying.

The truth is many members of any First Nation pay taxes. If they live or work off their reserve, and ( I think the number is 70% of most reserve populations live and or work off their territory,) I would say then that we as Nations have been being taxed for quite some time.

Right about here I wonder aloud, where is our First Nations leadership? Where is our representation from the AFN? Who is ultimately responsible for protecting the rights of those members living off reserve? Our rights are diminished by our addresses. Does that sound right or fair?

As to my personal feelings about this tax, my position is that the Nations are a day late and a dollar short on this issue. The Canadian government can truthfully claim they have been taxing the First Nations of this country for the past twenty five years (at least) and no one sought to protest then. Some hard truths just don't lend themselves to sugar coating.

But, in conclusion, I'll say it is still better late than never.

regards Debra