Quote:
Originally Posted by First Lady
Unemployment rate there is about 60%, so no not "every" house is getting a cheque. Others that do though, are likely getting more than $1500/month, especially if they have children.
Now you're starting to see the light. As is the case on many reserves, it is a a select few who benefit the greatest from government dollars; the money doesn't get down to those who truly need it.
Here are some other things that might surprise you.
Purchases on reserve (and most vehicles) are GST exempt.
Income considered earned on reserve is tax free.
They are then considered to have zero taxable income; so they qualify for full GST Rebate and Child Tax Benefit.
The right hand side of this document (pdf) shows what De Beers has contributed to Attawapiskat.
http://www.wildrose.ca/feature/keno-...r-money-smith/
I haven't been able to find any reference in the band's financial for these funds. Where is that recorded? |
Well I'm aware of the trickle down economics on the reserves and the ridiculous conditions. I suppose what I'm suggesting is that the Sun has inflated these numbers to generate some outrage. I know....sounds crazy, but it could be the case.
Its pretty clear that the way they've arrived at the numbers is questionable. Saying her husband was billing $850/day and that comes to $221k/year....OK but that is 260 days of work. Did he bill for that or didn't he? Its a broad generalization.
Then you have his figures about government spending, which basically seem irrelevant here. So what if overall government spending has increased? Does that mean that there are no other issues to address? Does that increase in spending mean that everyone should ignore the obviously deplorable conditions on the reserves?
I'm not even going to get into the review of the taxation situation, which seems to be one of his main complaints. Yes, there are no taxes on the reserves. Seems like a time when there are calls for treaty discussions might be a good time to review these issues and go over them?
Then we have Levant pointing out other things like $9M in shares that they own. The horror! That $9M (which looks like its invested in large, blue chip companies) is basically chump change. Sure, if I had $9M in my bank account its a lot of money, but not for 300 families.
I just think that Levant has thrown this together with half truths and is deflecting from his other current problems.