Tax bill baffles First Nation
'They just push, push - and if they keep pushing, they're going to push us right out,' says Acho Dene Koe chief
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Thursday, April 14, 2016
ACHO DENE KOE/FORT LIARD
Members of Acho Dene Koe First Nation are baffled at receiving notifications of property taxes owing when the band is in the midst of land claims, and worry other bands could be caught unaware by tax bills as well.
The treaty house for Acho Dene Koe First Nation is on Commissioner's land, according to a March 29 letter received by the band. - April Hudson/NNSL photo
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On April 8, Fort Liard Metis Local No. 67 president Ernie McLeod, Peter Bertrand, Steve Kotchea and Acho Dene Koe First Nation Chief Harry Deneron all expressed concern with receiving property tax notifications.
"We were under the impression that (there is) land set away for (First Nations)," Ernie McLeod said. "Band land, they call it. And we're even getting taxed on that."
Since Fort Liard is neither a city, town or village, it falls under the general taxation area, which the GNWT's finance department sets the mill rate for.
The current mill rate for properties aside from hydrocarbon, mineral and pipeline properties, set in October, is 2.25 per cent.
Acho Dene Koe is currently in negotiations with the GNWT to settle its land claim.
Deneron said the outstanding tax bill for the community has reached $1.6 million. In addition, he said, the band has been told it cannot select land unless it pays the overdue amount.
The GNWT could not confirm that but senior cabinet communications advisor Andrew Livingstone stated in an e-mail the issue of the tax bill came up during meetings last week between Premier Bob McLeod and Deneron.
"The premier is committed to looking into the issues raised," Livingstone stated.
But Deneron said he has heard from band members who have only received notifications in the last two weeks.
"I know of many, many other people who received it," Deneron said.
He expressed concern people may not know where to go in order to deal with outstanding taxes and are being frightened by the prospect of having to pay the clean-up bill for old unused properties they no longer live on - which he said the government told him would be happening.
Additionally with many government offices in Fort Simpson, Deneron said band members have to go through the frustrating process of getting a money order or trying to reach the government by phone to get answers on their taxes.
"It's very difficult to get any help," he said.
Deneron said the tax notifications came as a surprise to the band, which was under the impression it would settle the land negotiation first before having to foot the bill.
"We've been surprised in a big way here ... We're making an effort to settle our future and (the government) is just stabbing us in every direction they can get at. It's not good," he said.
"They just push, push - and if they keep pushing, they're going to push us right out."
He said the band was under the impression it would not have to pay property taxes until the land claim negotiation process was completed. Confirmation was requested from the Department of Finance but it did not respond by press time.
Bertrand said issues like property taxes are a hindrance to the process and make it difficult for the band to move forward with the land claim.
"How are we going to take that next step? If (we) don't pay, they're going to come in and take everything," he said.
"We can't advance."
Deneron said GNWT negotiators defended the tax bill at the negotiating table by saying the charges were for services, not for land.
According to the Department of Finance's website, property taxes are imposed "to generate money for a public purpose," and help to pay for services such as garbage pick-up, road and general government services. Property taxes are compulsory and enforceable by law.
"We asked, 'Why are you charging for land when we're negotiating?' They said they weren't charging (us) for land - but the first line (on my invoice) is land," Deneron said.
"The thing is, with that package, I'm a criminal. There's no two ways about it. Once you don't comply with the first voluntary pay, the next step is, you're a criminal."
Tied to the issue of land taxes, he said, was a letter the band received from the Department of Lands notifying them their treaty house is on Commissioner's land and requires a lease.
That letter was sent March 29 and requests the band complete a land application form and pay the $250 land application fee required by the department.
"It's not good at all, what's happening here. Mainly, when the band gets a letter like that, it's hard to digest," Deneron said.
"It's very troubling ... The building has been there as our office long before them."
