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Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch
When the money that they're getting to run their bands is pretty much strictly public funds and not taxes raised from their constituents,
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One quibble: taxed raised from band members (i.e., "their constituents") is still "public funds".
Also, band members, whether residing on reserve or off reserve, invariably contribute money through taxes etc. to federal government coffers.
Lastly, it is interesting to note that many bands are now using their taxation powers (conferred by certain provisions of the
Indian Act, the
First Nations Fiscal and Statistical Management Act, the
First Nation Goods and Services Tax Act, etc.) to raise tax revenues independent of the federal government. For example:
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As of November 2011, eight Indian Act bands are levying the FNST, which generates more than $6 million per year.
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As of November 2011, a total of 23 Aboriginal governments have implemented the FNGST and additional agreements are currently being negotiated. As a group, the Aboriginal governments that have implemented the FNGST receive remittances that total approximately $12 million per year.
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As a group, the Aboriginal governments that have implemented personal income taxes receive approximately $13 million per year. In certain circumstances, remittances of FNPIT may be subject to a revenue sharing mechanism.
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A total of 134 First Nations currently have enacted by-laws under section 83 of the Indian Act, while another 60 bands have enacted by-laws under the FSMA. Annual revenues from real property taxes exceeded $70 million in 2010-11.
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SOURCE:
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
This still accounts for a relatively small portion of band expenditures of course, but it does appear to be a growing trend.