HOW DOES THE FIRST NATIONS TAX COMMISSION DIFFER FROM THE FORMER INDIAN TAXATION ADVISORY BOARD?
The ten-member First Nations Tax Commission (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 the successor organization to the Indian Taxation Advisory Board. In the past, ITAB provided many functions similar to provincial government bodies that regulate their local government property tax authorities. However, there were important differences. For example, the Board was “advisory” in nature, having only the power of recommendation. The power to approve, or not to approve, First Nation taxation laws remained with the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. ITAB also faced many unique challenges because the First Nation property tax system operates within a legislative, legal and policy context that is very different from local government tax systems. The enhanced authority of the FNTC will allow property tax revenues to finance infrast
