Royal Assent Given To Native Taxation Bill

Royal Assent Given To Native Taxation Bill

Thursday, March 24, 2005 at 15:23

A bill that could eventually open the door to property taxation on reserve was given royal assent in Ottawa this week.

According to the federal government, Bill C-20 will improve infrastructure on First Nations reserves by allowing bands to create their own finance authority and tax commission.

The bill is still a long way from being passed, but already has received all-party support in both the House of Commons and the Senate.

Just last fall, a handful of chiefs from Alberta and British Columbia publicly endorsed the bill, saying it would improve the economic fortunes of bands.

The management act was formerly known as Bill C-19.

It almost came into effect last year, but died on the order paper when the election was called.