June 2007
Press Release: Deputy Chief Commissioner Appointed To The First Nations Tax Commission
KAMLOOPS, BRITISH COLUMBIA (June 6, 2007) – The Government of Canada announced today the appointment of Mr. David Paul, as Deputy Chief Commissioner, to the First Nations Tax Commission (FNTC). The FNTC is one of the four institutions created as a result of the passage of the First Nations Fiscal and Statistical Management Act (FSMA) which received Royal Assent in March 2005. It is a successor organization to the Indian Taxation Advisory Board (ITAB).
Mr. Paul is a member of the Maliseet Nation at Tobique, New Brunswick and has an extensive background in First Nation property taxation and economic development. He has served as a member of ITAB since its inception.“Mr. Paul has been an integral part of our team since the very first day of ITAB. He brings a wealth of knowledge to the Commission,” said C.T. (Manny) Jules, Chief Commissioner of the FNTC. “He has a solid understanding of the First Nation property tax system and played a key role in developing and building support for the FSMA. I am very pleased we can continue to work together. I know he will make a significant contribution as Deputy Chief Commissioner.”
“On behalf of Canada’s New Government, I wish to congratulate Mr. Paul on his appointment as Deputy Chief Commissioner,” said the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and non- Status Indians. “With a strengthened First Nation tax system, supported by the FNTC, there will be greater certainty and transparency for those paying property taxes on reserve.”
The tenth and final appointment to the Commission will be made by the Native Law Centre, University of Saskatchewan. It will be done pursuant to a regulation made under the First Nations Fiscal and Statistical Management Act. ITAB will continue its services until the Commission begins operations.
November 2006
Press Release: ITAB Chairman To Head The First Nations Tax Commission
KAMLOOPS, BRITISH COLUMBIA (November 24, 2006) – The Government of Canada today appointed C.T. (Manny) Jules as Chief Commissioner of the First Nations Tax Commission (FNTC).
As Chief Commissioner, Mr. Jules will be responsible for leading the establishment of the FNTC, which is one of the four institutions created as a result of the passage of the First Nations Fiscal and Statistical Management Act (FSMA). The FSMA received Royal Assent in March 2005. Mr. Jules will also serve as the Chief Executive Officer and will have supervision over, and direction of, the work and the staff of the Commission.
“Mr. Jules is a community leader and a pioneer when it comes to First Nation tax regimes ” said Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and non-Status Indians. “His leadership and determination in the development of these institutions was invaluable. On behalf of Canada’s New Government, I wish to congratulate Mr Jules on his appointment.” The ten-member FNTC is a shared governance organization responsible for developing and regulating the First Nation property tax system. Each member must be committed to strengthening First Nation property tax and must possess the requisite corporate governance experience and abilities to enable the FNTC to fulfill its mandate.
“The First Nations Tax Commission will play a critical role in attracting public and private sector investment on reserve, and in improving the overall economic health of First Nations,” said Mr. Jules. “It is an honour to be asked to lead this Commission, and I look forward to building on the great work done by the Indian Taxation Advisory Board in support of taxing First Nations across Canada.”
Mr. Jules has the distinction of successfully leading two First Nation-led pieces of federal legislation: the 1988 amendment to the Indian Act, (Bill C-115), which gave communities the right to levy property taxes on designated lands, and the 2005 First Nations Fiscal and Statistical Management Act, (Bill C-20), which provides participating First Nations with a series of economic development tools.
October 2006
Press Release: Canada Begins Selection Process For Appointments To The First Nations Tax Commission
OTTAWA, ONTARIO (October 19, 2006) – The Government of Canada has officially commenced a selection process to appoint Commissioners on the First Nations Tax Commission (FNTC).
The Commission will be comprised of 10 men and women, including members of First Nations, who are committed to strengthening First Nation real property tax regimes and who possess the necessary business skills, experience and capacity to enable the FNTC to fulfill its mandate.
Interested candidates should forward their curriculum vitae to:
First Nations Fiscal and Statistical Initiative Appointments
Office of the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
21st Floor, 10 Wellington Street
Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0H4
The deadline for submission is November 24, 2006.
June 2006
Press Release: ITAB Chairman Receives Honorary Doctorate From Thompson Rivers University
KAMLOOPS, BRITISH COLUMBIA (June 9, 2006) – ITAB Chairman, Mr. C.T. (Manny) Jules, received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Thompson Rivers University (TRU) today.
Mr. Jules was honoured as an Aboriginal leader and innovator for devoting over 30 years of his life to the betterment of First Nations entrepreneurship and selfgovernment. “Manny Jules is a role model for staff, faculty and students of both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal ancestry at Thompson Rivers University,” said TRU president Roger Barnsley.
Mr. Jules’ career began in 1974, when he was elected councilor of the Kamloops Indian Band. In 1984, after ten years as a band councilor, he was elected Chief and remained in the position until he retired in 2000. He has been the driving force behind several legislative initiatives, including the passage of Bill C-115 in 1988, the only First Nation-led amendment to the Indian Act, which created the modern form of First Nation property tax and lead to the creation of the Indian Taxation Advisory Board (ITAB) in 1989. Mr. Jules was appointed the first Chairman of the Board and re-appointed twice thereafter.
The Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, the Honourable Jim Prentice, also recognized Mr. Jules’ achievement. “I extend my congratulations to Mr. Jules. He is an exemplary First Nation leader whose commitment and dedication is only exceeded by the profound impact his contributions have left on Canada and First Nation relationships. He is truly a role model for all Canadians.”
In 2000, Mr. Jules led another initiative to improve the investment climate on reserve and promote economic growth in First Nation communities. He was the spokesperson for the First Nations Fiscal and Statistical Management Act, which was passed by Parliament, with all-party support, in March 2005. The legislation provides a statutory base to establish four First Nation institutions.
“I would like to thank TRU for giving me this honour. I see a future where there is no Indian Act and the Department of Indian Affairs has been replaced by our own First Nation public institutions. I am proud to have been able to lead First Nations in this direction and am looking forward to the day I see First Nations enjoy a higher standard of living, like other Canadians, as a result of our work,” said Mr. Jules.
Thompson Rivers University has a main campus in Kamloops and regional centres in Williams Lake and Burnaby. The university offers the widest range of program options of any university in Canada. The Honorary Doctorate is the highest form of recognition offered by the university.
April 2006
Press Release: First Nations Fiscal And Statistical Management Act Comes Into Force
OTTAWA, ONTARIO (April 1, 2006) – On March 31st, 2006, Governor General Michaëlle Jean signed the Order in Council to bring the First Nations Fiscal and Statistical Management Act into force, effective April 1, 2006.
“The coming-into-force of the legislation represents another significant milestone for First Nations participating in this initiative. The Act brings many opportunities for First Nations that are implementing their jurisdiction over taxation and self-government. The legislation will help them attract private sector investment to their lands and support economic growth,” said C.T. (Manny) Jules, Chairman of the Indian Taxation Advisory Board.
The legislation, which received Royal Assent on March 23rd, 2005, establishes four institutions – the First Nations Tax Commission, First Nations Finance Authority, First Nations Financial Management Board, and First Nations Statistical Institute. Although the Act is now in force, three of the institutions are awaiting the passage of regulations and the appointment of their Board Members/Commissioners to become operational.
The work to transition from the Indian Taxation Advisory Board (ITAB) to the First Nations Tax Commission (FNTC) will continue until the appointment of a Chief Commissioner and 9 other Commissioners is completed. ITAB is working closely with those First Nations who have decided to participate in the Act. ITAB expects the FNTC to be operational in September 2006.
“We now have 23 First Nations who have passed Band Council Resolutions requesting to be added to the schedule of the Act and the interest continues to grow. These are historic and exciting times,” said Chairman Jules.
September 2005
Press Release: Jules Resumes Role As Chairman Of The Indian Taxation Advisory Board
Kamloops, British Columbia (September 13, 2005) – The Honourable Andy Scott, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, today reappointed C.T. (Manny) Jules as Chairman of the Indian Taxation Advisory Board (ITAB or the Board).
In December 2003, Mr. Jules made the decision to relinquish his full-time duties as ITAB Chairman and, in the interim, focus his energies on the passage of the First Nations Fiscal and Statistical Management Act (FSMA). His central role in the passage of the legislation included the responsibility as spokesperson for the initiative. ITAB Deputy Chair, Chief Strater Crowfoot, assumed the role of ITAB Chairman during the parliamentary process. The FSMA received Royal Assent, with the support of all parties in Parliament, on March 23, 2005.
“It is a privilege to again serve as ITAB Chairman. I am looking forward to this challenging opportunity to complete the evolution of the First Nations real property tax system with the successful transition to the First Nations Tax Commission,” said Mr. Jules on his return to the office of the Chairman of ITAB. Chief Crowfoot will resume his position as ITAB Deputy Chair.
ITAB was established 1989 to advise the Minister on bylaw approval and property taxation matters in support of the “Kamloops Amendment” to the Indian Act enhancing First Nation property taxation jurisdiction on-reserve. Today, 106 First Nations are now exercising their property taxation jurisdiction, raising more than $44 million in much needed revenue annually to increase investment in local infrastructure providing enhanced economic prospects and to offer better services to on-reserve taxpayers.
The FSMA creates four institutions, operated by and for First Nations: the First Nations Tax Commission, the First Nations Financial Management Board, First Nations Statistics and the First Nations Finance Authority. The Act is scheduled to come into force in 2006.
March 2005
Press Release: FMA Receives Royal Assent; All-Party Support For First Nation-Led Legislation
OTTAWA, ONTARIO (March 23, 2005) – The First Nations Fiscal and Statistical Management Act (Bill C-20) received Royal Assent today. The legislation, which establishes four First Nation-led institutions, received all-party support in the House of Commons and the Senate.“This is an important milestone for First Nations and Canada,” said Chief Strater Crowfoot, Indian Taxation Advisory Board Chairman. “With the passage of this legislation – with all party support – Parliament has recognized the importance of improving the First Nation investment climate and infrastructure. The legislation will also strengthen taxpayer relations.“
With the passage of Bill C-20, the current Indian Taxation Advisory Board (ITAB) will evolve into the First Nations Tax Commission. The Commission will assume ITAB functions under section 83 of the Indian Act and will be responsible for regulatory oversight for First Nation property tax under the legislation. Bill C-20 also provides, for participating First Nations, stronger enforcement powers, mechanisms to improve property tax payer relations, and access to the full range of benefits offered through the legislation.
Today, more than 20% of the First Nations in Canada collect property taxes, generating more than $44 million in revenue.“For current and future First Nation property tax authorities, this is an important step beyond the Indian Act and a critical improvement to the First Nation property tax system. Today, these First Nations have a choice and new institutions to support economic growth”, said Chief Crowfoot.