The strategic plan is published by the federal research granting agencies—the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council—and fulfills a priority of the Canada Research Coordinating Committee to co-develop with Indigenous Peoples an interdisciplinary research and research training model that contributes to reconciliation.
Since the launch of the Atlantic Growth Strategy, the governments of Canada and the Atlantic provinces have worked collaboratively to build a vibrant economic future for Atlantic Canada by focusing on five strategic priorities:
-skilled workforce and immigration,
-innovation,
-clean growth and climate change,
-trade and investment,
- and infrastructure.
The Aboriginal Liaison Program serves as a bridge between Statistics Canada and First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities and Aboriginal organizations.
The First Nations Tax Commission is pleased to present this webinar which provides an overview of taxation and it's importance as a governance function. We discuss how the First Nations property tax system works and share stories from First Nations who are benefiting as a result of property taxation. We wrap up by explaining the tools and supports available through the FNTC for First Nations wishing to develop and implement a property tax system.
About SECTION 83 of The Indian Act
First Nations have the authority to pass by-laws related to taxation pursuant to section 83 of the Indian Act. While section 83 does grant powers of control over individual First Nations’ fiscal management it is limited in scope and jurisdiction. Section 83 by-laws proposed by First Nations require ministerial approval, on the advice of the First Nations Tax Commission.
First Nation tax authorities levy and collect taxes in the same manner as other local governments throughout Canada. First Nation tax systems base taxation on a property assessment, use market value assessment methods, use professional assessors, and set rates based on a budget. Procedures for assessment appeals and tax enforcement in First Nation tax systems are also similar to other local governments.
The First Nations Finance Authority (FNFA) is a statutory not-for-profit organization without share capital, operating under the authority of the First Nations Fiscal Management Act, 2005. The FNFA’s purposes are to provide First Nations governments investment options and capital planning advice and—perhaps most importantly, access to long-term loans with preferable interest rates. The FNFA is not an agent of Her Majesty or a Crown corporation and is governed solely by the First Nations communities that join as Borrowing Members.
