COMMISSIONERS
The Commission is composed of men and women from across Canada, including members of First Nations, who are committed to the development of a system of First Nations real property taxation and who have the experience of capacity to enable the Commission to fulfill its mandate.
On the recommendation of the Minister, the Governor in Council appoints nine of the ten Commissioners. This includes the Chief Commissioner and Deputy Chief Commissioner, three Commissioners who must be taxpayers using reserve lands for commercial purposes, one for residential purposes and one for utility purposes, and four additional Commissioners. A tenth Commissioner is appointed by the Indigenous Law Centre, University of Saskatchewan (the NLC)—the appointing body prescribed by the First Nations Tax Commissioner Appointment Regulations.
Chief Commissioner C.T. (Manny) Jules
Chief Commissioner Manny Jules has dedicated over 40 years of his life to public service in support of Aboriginal issues. He is a member of the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc and served as Chief from 1984 to 2000. Mr. Jules led the amendment to the Indian Act in 1988 so that First Nations could exercise the jurisdiction to levy property taxes on-reserve. The Indian Taxation Advisory Board (ITAB) and the current First Nation property tax system were created as a result of his vision and efforts. Mr. Jules served as Chair of ITAB from 1989 to 2003 and 2005 to 2007. He was the driving force behind the First Nations Fiscal Management Act, passed by Parliament in 2005, creating the First Nations Tax Commission. Mr. Jules was the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from both the University of British Columbia in 1997 and Thompson Rivers University in 2006, the Order of British Columbia in 2009, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal in 2013. Mr. Jules is also a member of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business Hall of Fame. In 2019, Mr. Jules was reappointed Chief Commissioner for the First Nations Tax Commission.
Chief Commissioner C.T. (Manny) Jules
Manny Jules has dedicated over 40 years of his life to public service in support of Aboriginal issues. He is a member of the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc and served as Chief from 1984 to 2000. Mr. Jules led the amendment to the Indian Act in 1988 so that First Nations could exercise the jurisdiction to levy property taxes on-reserve. The Indian Taxation Advisory Board (ITAB) and the current First Nation property tax system were created as a result of his vision and efforts. Mr. Jules served as Chair of ITAB from 1989 to 2003 and 2005 to 2007. He was the driving force behind the First Nations Fiscal Management Act, passed by Parliament in 2005, creating the First Nations Tax Commission. Mr. Jules was the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from both the University of British Columbia in 1997 and Thompson Rivers University in 2006, the Order of British Columbia in 2009, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal in 2013. Mr. Jules is also a member of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business Hall of Fame.
Deputy Chief Commissioner David Paul
Mr. David Paul is a member of the Maliseet Nation at Tobique, New Brunswick. Mr. Paul is the President and founder of the Aboriginal Resource Consultants, Atlantic Canada’s largest Aboriginal consulting firm. He has an extensive background, and more than 30 years’ experience, in First Nation issues, specifically economic development, communications, and government and corporate relations. Mr. Paul served as Deputy Chair of the Indian Taxation Advisory Board from 2003 to 2005 and its Atlantic representative from 1989 to 2007. In 2007, Mr. Paul was appointed Deputy Chief Commissioner for the First Nations Tax Commission.
Dr. Céline Auclair
Dr. Céline Auclair is the founder and Chief Executive of the “First Peoples Innovation Center”, a non profit Aboriginal organization that stimulates and assists the development of social innovation for the First People communities. Recently, Dr. Auclair and her team created the first Indigenous FabLab in Canada, a creative space where Indigenous Peoples can create and produce innovation using computer-driven machines.
Previously, Dr. Auclair co-founded the Forum of Federations, an international governance organization promoting intergovernmental learning on governance challenges in multi-level democracies. For 10 years, she acted as Vice-President of the organization. From 1996-1998, she worked in Bosnia Herzegovina with an international team to rebuild the regime’s properties and its legislative body. Dr. Auclair holds a Ph.D. in International Relations and a master’s degree in Urban Planning and Regional Development.
Chief Commissioner C.T. (Manny) Jules
Chief Commissioner Manny Jules has dedicated over 40 years of his life to public service in support of Aboriginal issues. He is a member of the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc and served as Chief from 1984 to 2000. Chief Commissioner Jules led the amendment to the Indian Act in 1988 so that First Nations could exercise the jurisdiction to levy property taxes on-reserve. The Indian Taxation Advisory Board (ITAB) and the current First Nation property tax system were created as a result of his vision and efforts. Chief Commissioner Jules served as Chair of ITAB from 1989 to 2003 and 2005 to 2007. He was the driving force behind the First Nations Fiscal Management Act, passed by Parliament in 2005, creating the First Nations Tax Commission. Chief Commissioner Jules was the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from both the University of British Columbia in 1997 and Thompson Rivers University in 2006, the Order of British Columbia in 2009, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal in 2013. Chief Commissioner Jules is also a member of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business Hall of Fame.
Deputy Chief Commissioner David Paul
Commissioner David Paul is a member of the Maliseet Nation at Tobique, New Brunswick. Commissioner Paul is the President and founder of the Aboriginal Resource Consultants, Atlantic Canada’s largest Aboriginal consulting firm. He has an extensive background, and more than 30 years’ experience in First Nation issues, specifically economic development, communications, and government and corporate relations. Commissioner Paul served as Deputy Chair of the Indian Taxation Advisory Board from 2003 to 2005 and its Atlantic representative from 1989 to 2007. In 2007, Commissioner Paul was appointed Deputy Chief Commissioner for the First Nations Tax Commission.
Deputy Chief Commissioner David Paul
Mr. David Paul is a member of the Maliseet Nation at Tobique, New Brunswick. Mr. Paul is the President and founder of the Aboriginal Resource Consultants, Atlantic Canada’s largest Aboriginal consulting firm. He has an extensive background, and more than 30 years’ experience, in First Nation issues, specifically economic development, communications, and government and corporate relations.
Mr. Paul served as Deputy Chair of the Indian Taxation Advisory Board from 2003 to 2005 and its Atlantic representative from 1989 to 2007. In 2019, Mr. Paul was reappointed Deputy Chief Commissioner for the First Nations Tax Commission.
Mrs. Latrica (Terry) Babin
Mrs. Terry Babin brings extensive experience in Aboriginal Financial Administration, First Nations Property Taxation, First Nations GST, economic development and management of First Nations lands. Mrs. Babin has earned certificates in Indigenous Peoples Resource Management, Professional Land Management and is one of the first graduates from the Tulo Centre of Indigenous Economics, earning a certificate in First Nation Taxation Administration. She is a founding member of the BC Aboriginal Land Managers Association and served as President 2015 to 2017 and Vice-President from 2013-2014. She has served as a Director of the First Nations Tax Administrators Association for 25 years and as a Director of All Nations Trust Company for 22 years. Mrs. Babin was appointed to the Commission by the Indigenous Law Centre.
Commissioner Céline Auclair
Commissioner Céline Auclair is the founder and Chief Executive of the “First Peoples Innovation Center”, a non profit Aboriginal organization that stimulates and assists the development of social innovation for the First People communities. Recently, Commissioner Auclair and her team created the first Indigenous FabLab in Canada, a creative space where Indigenous Peoples can create and produce innovation using computer-driven machines.
Previously, Commissioner Auclair co-founded the Forum of Federations, an international governance organization promoting intergovernmental learning on governance challenges in multi-level democracies. For 10 years, she acted as Vice-President of the organization. From 1996-1998, she worked in Bosnia Herzegovina with an international team to rebuild the regime’s properties and its legislative body. Commissioner Auclair holds a Ph.D. in International Relations and a master’s degree in Urban Planning and Regional Development.
Commissioner Latrica (Terry) Babin
Commissioner Terry Babin brings extensive experience in Aboriginal Financial Administration, First Nations Property Taxation, First Nations GST, economic development and management of First Nations lands. Commissioner Babin has earned certificates in Indigenous Peoples Resource Management, Professional Land Management and is one of the first graduates from the Tulo Centre of Indigenous Economics, earning a certificate in First Nation Taxation Administration. She is a founding member of the BC Aboriginal Land Managers Association and served as President 2015 to 2017 and Vice-President from 2013-2014. She has served as a Director of the First Nations Tax Administrators Association for 25 years and as a Director of All Nations Trust Company for 22 years. Commissioner Babin was appointed to the Commission by the Indigenous Law Centre. Commissioner Babin was appointed to the Commission by the Indigenous Law Centre.
Dr. Céline Auclair
Dr. Céline Auclair is the founder and Chief Executive of the “First Peoples Innovation Centre”, a non profit Aboriginal organization that stimulates and assists the development of social innovation for the First People communities. Recently, Dr. Auclair and her team created the first Indigenous FabLab in Canada, a creative space where Indigenous Peoples can create and produce innovation using computer-driven machines.
Previously, Dr. Auclair co-founded the Forum of Federations, an international governance organization promoting intergovernmental learning on governance challenges in multi-level democracies. For 10 years, she acted as Vice-President of the organization. From 1996-1998, she worked in Bosnia Herzegovina with an international team to rebuild the regime’s properties and its legislative body. Dr. Auclair holds a Ph.D. in International Relations and a master’s degree in Urban Planning and Regional Development. In 2018, Dr. Auclair was reappointed Commissioner for the First Nations Tax Commission.
Ms. Leslie Brochu
Ms. Leslie Brochu is a residential taxpayer who lives on the Quaaout Indian Reserve in British Columbia. She is the Principal of Simplifize Project Strategies specializing in marketing strategy and project development. As the former Vice-President of Sun Rivers Resort Community in Kamloops BC, Leslie was instrumental in the development of the Sun Rivers community located on the lands of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc. Sun Rivers is recognized as one of the most progressive and innovative Master Planned communities on First Nations Land in Canada. She has served as a director and co-founder of numerous Indian land/residential leaseholder/taxpayer associations. Her long history of community service includes the Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Home Builder Association, Tourism Kamloops, Venture Kamloops, Not-for Profit Seniors Housing and Cancer patient support. Ms. Brochu has extensive experience working in the areas of economic development, land leasing, real estate development, social housing, financing, evaluation and marketing, and infrastructure development and operations on First Nations lands. Ms. Brochu was appointed to the Commission as a taxpayer using reserve lands for residential purposes.
Mr. William (Bill) McCue
Mr. Bill McCue was Chief of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation from 1993 until March 31, 2005. He retired from that position and is currently a Councillor for the First Nation. Mr. McCue was appointed Chairman of the Ogemawahj Tribal Council’s Economic Development Board and is a member of the Finance Committee for the First Nations Lands Advisory Board. He is a tireless advocate for the continued support of economic self-sufficiency for First Nations. Mr. McCue also served as the Ontario representative on the Indian Taxation Advisory Board from 1997 to 2007. Mr. McCue is the Chair of the Commission’s Audit Committee.
Ms. Georjann Morriseau
Ms. Georjann Morriseau was born on Fort William First Nation in Thunder Bay, Ontario. She takes great pride in developing the relationships between governments and relations at all levels in Canada. Ms. Georjann Morriseau received her Aboriginal Law and Advocacy diploma from Confederation College in 2009 where she later served on the Board of Governors. She also has served on a number of boards and is currently serving as Vice Chair of the Thunder Bay Police Services Board. Ms. Georjann Morriseau was also a founding board member for the Governance Development Network of which their main objective was to promote and build upon self governance and sustainability within First Nation communities. In her career, Ms. Georjann Morriseau has lead by an example of high standards and commitment in her personal life and professional capacities offering progressive, practical and results based approaches that are adaptable to changing needs while meeting common goals, focusing on sustainable and mutually beneficial outcomes.
Mrs. Latrica (Terry) Babin
Mrs. Terry Babin brings extensive experience in Aboriginal Financial Administration, First Nations Property Taxation, First Nations GST, economic development and management of First Nations lands. Mrs. Babin has earned certificates in Indigenous Peoples Resource Management, Professional Land Management and is one of the first graduates from the Tulo Centre of Indigenous Economics, earning a certificate in First Nation Taxation Administration. She is a founding member of the BC Aboriginal Land Managers Association and served as President 2015 to 2017 and Vice-President from 2013-2014. She has served as a Director of the First Nations Tax Administrators Association for 25 years and as a Director of All Nations Trust Company for 22 years. In 2019, Mrs. Babin was reappointed to the Commission by the Indigenous Law Centre.
Commissioner Leslie Brochu
Commissioner Leslie Brochu is a residential taxpayer who lives on the Quaaout Indian Reserve in British Columbia. She is the Principal of Simplifize Project Strategies specializing in marketing strategy and project development. As the former Vice-President of Sun Rivers Resort Community in Kamloops BC, Commissioner Brochu was instrumental in the development of the Sun Rivers community located on the lands of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc. Sun Rivers is recognized as one of the most progressive and innovative Master Planned communities on First Nations Land in Canada. She has served as a director and co-founder of numerous Indian land/residential leaseholder/taxpayer associations. Her long history of community service includes the Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Home Builder Association, Tourism Kamloops, Venture Kamloops, Not-for Profit Seniors Housing and Cancer patient support. Commissioner Brochu has extensive experience working in the areas of economic development, land leasing, real estate development, social housing, financing, evaluation and marketing, and infrastructure development and operations on First Nations lands. Commissioner Brochu was appointed to the Commission as a taxpayer using reserve lands for residential purposes.
Commissioner Coty Zachariah
Commissioner Coty Zachariah is a member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. Commissioner Zachariah is the Vice President of Business Development at Corey Mini Indigenous Consulting firm based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Born and raised in Toronto, ON, he also has family roots in the historic Black community of North Preston, Nova Scotia. He has over 13 years of local, national, and international experience representing and advocating for First Nations issues, with a focus on economic development, economic reconciliation, communication, policy development, youth capacity building, and government and corporate relations. Commissioner Zachariah has held several leadership roles, including being on the Board of Governors for George Brown College in 2013-2014, Chairman of the National Aboriginal Caucus – Canadian Federation of Students from 2014-2016, and was twice-elected as the National Chairperson/Le Presidente National for the Canadian Federation of Students from 2017-2019, with a constituency of over 650,000 students at the time. He is the first First Nations student to do so in the history of Canada’s largest and oldest student union. He is a graduate of the Business Commerce – Marketing program at George Brown College, pursued a BAH at Trent University, and is a graduate of all courses offered by the Tulo Centre of Indigenous Economics through Thompson Rivers University.
Commissioner William (Bill) McCue
Commissioner Bill McCue was Chief of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation from 1993 until March 31, 2005. He retired from that position and is currently a Councillor for the First Nation. Commissioner McCue was appointed Chairman of the Ogemawahj Tribal Council’s Economic Development Board and is a member of the Finance Committee for the First Nations Lands Advisory Board. He is a tireless advocate for the continued support of economic self-sufficiency for First Nations. Commissioner McCue also served as the Ontario representative on the Indian Taxation Advisory Board from 1997 to 2007. Commissioner McCue is the Chair of the Commission’s Audit Committee.
Commissioner Monica Keller
Commissioner Monica Keller has over 30 years of experience in the field of assessment and property taxation with a concentration in the energy sector across North America. She graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Commissioner Keller began her career with a property tax firm, conducting research and consulting services to clients, eventually specializing in Oil & Gas working for several Exploration and Production companies with assets across Canada. She currently oversees the property tax portfolio for a leading energy, transportation, and midstream service provider with a market capitalization of $34 Billion. Commissioner Keller continues to be active in the assessment and property tax community as a member of the Institute for Professionals in Taxation, the Canadian Pipeline Property Tax Group, and the Canadian Property Tax Association where she served in numerous positions starting as the Western Chapter Chair, and then five years on the Board of Directors and as National Past President.
Commissioner Mike St. Amant
Commissioner Mike St. Amant is an off-reserve member of the Henvey Inlet First Nation. Commissioner St. Amant is an FCPA, FCA, MBA, and has worked with Federal Crown Corporations, an Ontario agency, and 2 large municipalities. He has nineteen years of municipal experience, serving as the City Treasurer in both Toronto and London, Ontario. Commissioner St. Amant has been actively involved with the Public Sector Accounting Board since 2002, serving on the Government Transfers Task Force, the Revenue Task Force, the Financial Instruments Advisory Group, and currently the Financial Instruments Group of Experts. He has also served as a director on three municipal corporations, a credit union, five municipal pension plans, and the Municipal Financial Officers’ Association. He also currently serves on the Board of Directors for Erie Shores HealthCare, and the Union Water Supply Corporation.
Ms. Leslie Brochu
Ms. Leslie Brochu is a residential taxpayer who lives on the Quaaout Indian Reserve in British Columbia. She is the Principal of Simplifize Project Strategies specializing in marketing strategy and project development. As the former Vice-President of Sun Rivers Resort Community in Kamloops BC, Leslie was instrumental in the development of the Sun Rivers community located on the lands of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc. Sun Rivers is recognized as one of the most progressive and innovative Master Planned communities on First Nations Land in Canada. She has served as a director and co-founder of numerous Indian land/residential leaseholder/taxpayer associations. Her long history of community service includes the Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Home Builder Association, Tourism Kamloops, Venture Kamloops, Not-for Profit Seniors Housing and Cancer patient support. Ms. Brochu has extensive experience working in the areas of economic development, land leasing, real estate development, social housing, financing, evaluation and marketing, and infrastructure development and operations on First Nations lands. Ms. Brochu was appointed to the Commission as a taxpayer using reserve lands for residential purposes. In 2018, Ms. Brochu was reappointed Commissioner for the First Nations Tax Commission.
Mr. William (Bill) McCue
Mr. Bill McCue was Chief of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation from 1993 until March 31, 2005. He retired from that position and is currently a Councillor for the First Nation. Mr. McCue was appointed Chairman of the Ogemawahj Tribal Council’s Economic Development Board and is a member of the Finance Committee for the First Nations Lands Advisory Board. He is a tireless advocate for the continued support of economic self-sufficiency for First Nations. Mr. McCue also served as the Ontario representative on the Indian Taxation Advisory Board from 1997 to 2007. Mr. McCue is the Chair of the Commission’s Audit Committee. In 2018, Mr. McCue was reappointed Commissioner for the First Nations Tax Commission.
Mr. Mike St. Amant
Mike St. Amant is an off-reserve member of the Henvey Inlet First Nation. Mike is an FCPA, FCA, MBA, and has worked with Federal Crown Corporations, an Ontario agency, and 2 large municipalities. He has nineteen years of municipal experience, serving as the City Treasurer in both Toronto and London, Ontario. Mike has been actively involved with the Public Sector Accounting Board since 2002, serving on the Government Transfers Task Force, the Revenue Task Force, the Financial Instruments Advisory Group, and currently the Financial Instruments Group of Experts. He has also served as a director on three municipal corporations, a credit union, five municipal pension plans, and the Municipal Financial Officers’ Association. He also currently serves on the Board of Directors for Erie Shores HealthCare, and the Union Water Supply Corporation.