What a complete utter load of bullshit.
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Don't be afraid: Bellegarde
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde told the crowd that the City of Winnipeg should embrace the idea of a new urban reserve for the city.
"We have over 100 urban reserves in Saskatchewan, and they create jobs and employment opportunities and economic development zones," he said.
Here's the real truth about selling or "giving" land to Natives within the boundaries of cities.
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1) When the topic of urban reserves is brought up, some people seem to have irrational visions of dilapidated reserve homes suddenly popping up in the middle of cities like Winnipeg. I say irrational because without a doubt, aboriginal communities seeking to start up urban reserves have their eye on the prize - maximizing revenue from developing property and running businesses on that land. Why would anyone spend a fortune to buy land in a big city and then let it turn into one of those visions of dilipatated homes? I just don't see that happening.
2) Media coverage to date in Winnipeg seems to have missed the point when it comes to urban reserves. Urban reserves play by a completely different set of rules than those living and work on land around it. There are no provincial or federal income taxes on urban reserves. Suddenly creating an urban reserve in a big city, and giving it a significant taxation advantage, is hardly fair to the businesses around it that have to compete under a higher tax regime.
Just imagine if your business had to pay income taxes and your employees had to pay income taxes while your competitor across the street (and its employees) didn't face those same costs? Doesn't really seem fair does it?
And here's the reasoning:
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"A second consequence that arises once land acquires reserve status has to do with tax exemption. Section 87 of the Indian Act stipulates that First Nation properties on reserves are exempt from paying municipal or any other level of government taxes, and they are also exempt from paying school levies. The exemption from taxation can provide reserves with a competitive advantage in creating economic development since band councils can establish taxation and user fees that address their own development objectives. For example, they could lower taxes in order to attract businesses or to provide First Nations ventures with advantageous costs of doing business.
There are some additional advantages to creating urban reserves for the purpose of economic development.16 Businesses located on reserves are eligible for business assistance programs offered through Indian and Northern Affairs, Canada. They also have access to various sources of First Nations investment capital. Finally, First Nations employees who work on reserve are not charged income tax on on-reserve earnings, enhancing the ability of businesses on reserves to attract well-qualified employees."
https://www.taxpayer.com/blog/food-for- ... n-reservesNot only do they get a pass on paying any type of taxes but they get financial aid and assistance to ensure they can do that. WTF?
So, could someone explain to me why these native bands should get all the benefits of owning land and businesses within cities they never paid to help develop and will never help to maintain while putting other non native businesses at a distinct disadvantage?