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.