Most of the taxes collected would be transferred back to the K’ómoks government to support, K’ómoks government programs and services. They would be used for the benefit of K’ómoks Members, through the provisions of additional programs and services and building our infrastructure.
Under the old treaty model, the K’omoks First Nation would collect the sales tax, property tax and other tax revenues, so there would no net loss, but members would pay taxes to the Nation. We are currently in negotiations with a group First Nations in Stage 5 of the BC Treaty Process and the Department of Finance to maintain the existing tax exemption. The group has developed a “principled approach”: All individuals keep their personal tax exemption Modern Treaty status Indians should not be treated differently Because Treaty Settlement Lands will no longer be “Indian Reserves”, the exemption will no longer [...]
For economic opportunities, K'omoks will have a large volume of land it can develop, and it can use revenues from land development opportunities for further economic develop. Komoks will also have a large forestry licence. In addition, there are opportunities form revenue created through tax powers and revenues form our Joint Venture partners. For more information, see the Economic Development Brochures we have published.
Removal of “Reserve Lands”, or the transfer of the Indian Reserves from Canada to K’ómoks as Treaty Settlement Lands means we will own the lands, and not Canada. It is in our best interests. Residential schools were provided for and allowed under the Indian Act, and the Indian Act will no longer apply to us. Because we will be under our own laws, we will not allow residential schools to happen. The residential school system happened because of the Indian Act.
First of all, it is not K’ómoks land right now. It belongs to Canada and we are allowed to use it, as set out in the Indian Act. After treaty, we will own the land. Most of the Lands will not be taxable, as they will remain with the K’ómoks First Nation. Those lands that become owned by individuals will be taxed because they will own them. So, with treaty, two things will change the taxability of K’ómoks members: There would no longer be “Indian Reserves”. The land becomes Treaty Settlement Land (TSL), which we own. The Taxation chapter says that [...]
Taxes will be payable on earned income (employment and investment), sales taxes (GST/PST) and property tax. If you are on Social Assistance you do not pay income tax, however you most likely already pay sales tax on your purchases.
The K’ómoks First Nation will enforce the property tax laws. Other tax laws will be enforced through agreements with Canada and British Columbia. Canada and British Columbia will collect the income tax and sales tax for us, and transfer it to us, after we pass a law authorizing them to do so. They will be the collection and enforcement agents for us.
The timing for removal of the tax exemption begins after the Effective Date of a treaty, which is probably about five years from now. The tax exemption expires for income tax 12 years after the Effective Date, and for sales tax it will be eight years after the Effective Date.
