The Kahkewistahaw First Nation Goods and Services Tax Administration Agreement - July 17, 2015

WHEREAS:

The Kahkewistahaw Community Improvement Fee Law imposes a value-added tax within the lands described opposite the name of Kahkewistahaw in Schedule 1 to the First Nations Goods and Services Tax Act;

Section 5 of the Kahkewistahaw Community Improvement Fee Law states that the Council of Kahkewistahaw may enter, on behalf of the First Nation, into an administration agreement with Canada in relation to that tax;

The Council of Kahkewistahaw has approved the First Nation entering into this Agreement;

Subsection 5(2) of the First Nations Goods and Services Tax Act states that the Minister of Finance, with the approval of the Governor in Council, may enter into an administration agreement in respect of a value-added tax imposed under a first nation law; and

The Minister of Finance has the approval of the Governor in Council to enter into this Agreement;

NOW THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:

1. In this Agreement:

2. Unless a contrary intention appears, words and expressions used in this Agreement but not defined in clause 1 have the meanings assigned by the Federal Act or, if the words and expressions are not defined in the Federal Act, have the meanings assigned by subsection 123(1) of the Excise Tax Act.

3. The Interpretation Act (Canada), as amended from time to time, applies, with such modifications as the circumstances require, to this Agreement as if it were an enactment.

4. Where a reference is made in this Agreement to an Act of Parliament, the First Nation Law or any other first nation law that meets the description set out in subsection 11(1) or 12(1) of the Federal Act, or regulations made under the Act of Parliament, the First Nation Law or that other law, the reference shall be read as a reference to that Act of Parliament, First Nation Law, other law or those regulations, as amended from time to time.

5. Canada agrees that the tax power of the First Nation provided by subsection 4(1) of the Federal Act applies in respect of the Community Improvement Fee and other amounts imposed under the First Nation Law while this Agreement is in effect and in respect of amounts, other than the Community Improvement Fee, imposed under the First Nation Law after this Agreement ceases to have effect that relate to amounts imposed while this Agreement was in effect.

6. Canada shall act as the agent for the First Nation in respect of the administration and enforcement of the First Nation Law, and collect the Community Improvement Fee and other amounts imposed under that law while this Agreement is in effect and amounts, other than the Community Improvement Fee, imposed under that law after this Agreement ceases to have effect that relate to amounts imposed while this Agreement was in effect.

7. Canada shall account for the amounts collected under the First Nation Law on behalf of the First Nation by estimating the Tax Attributable and Net Tax Attributable to the First Nation and shall make and account for remittances to the First Nation in accordance with this Agreement.

8. Canada and its agents and subservient bodies shall comply with the obligations imposed on them under the First Nation Law, including the obligation to pay and account for the amounts imposed on them under the First Nation Law as if that law were applicable to Canada.

9. The First Nation agrees that the obligations, authorities, rights and privileges imposed upon or granted to a person under the First Nation Law shall not depend on whether that person is a Member, an Indian or another person.

10. The First Nation agrees that the First Nation Law shall be consistent with section 11 of the Federal Act. The First Nation shall ensure that the First Nation Law provides the Minister of National Revenue with sufficient authority to administer and enforce that law in accordance with this Agreement, including the authority to collect the Community Improvement Fee and other amounts imposed under that law.

11. The First Nation shall provide the Minister in a timely manner with a certified true copy of:

12. The First Nation and its agents and subservient bodies shall comply with Part IX of the Excise Tax Act, the Federal Act, the First Nation Law and any other first nation law that meets the description set out in subsection 11(1) or 12(1) of the Federal Act.

13. The First Nation and its agents and subservient bodies shall pay and account for the amounts imposed under Part IX of the Excise Tax Act, the Federal Act, the First Nation Law or any other first nation law that meets the description set out in subsection 11(1) or 12(1) of the Federal Act, except if the amounts are not payable by reason of a separate agreement given effect under an Act of Parliament.

14. The Parties agree to use data outlined in Annex A and Annex B in order to prepare the estimates and re-estimates described below. The Parties recognize, however, that the data available may not be optimal in all instances.

15. Prior to the beginning of each particular Entitlement Year, the Minister shall make, in accordance with the provisions in Annex A, an estimate for that Entitlement Year of the Tax Attributable to the First Nation.

16. The sharing, if any, between the First Nation and Canada of the amount estimated as Tax Attributable to the First Nation for an Entitlement Year will be calculated in accordance with the provisions in Annex B.

17. An estimate of Net Tax Attributable for each particular Entitlement Year shall be made by subtracting, from the estimate of the Tax Attributable to the First Nation determined under Annex A for the particular Entitlement Year, the estimate of Canada’s share, if any, determined under Annex B for that particular Entitlement Year.

18. Not later than the last day of February of the third and fifth calendar years following the particular Entitlement Year, or as soon thereafter as is practical, the Minister shall re-estimate, using the procedure set out in clause 17, the Net Tax Attributable to the First Nation for that particular Entitlement Year for the purpose of calculating in each of those years a Prior Estimate Adjustment for that particular Entitlement Year.

19. The Net Tax Attributable for a particular Entitlement Year shall be final and no further adjustments shall be made following the commencement of remittances incorporating the Prior Estimate Adjustment in respect of the second re-estimate for that year, subject to the Minister incorporating any adjustments that may be required to the second re-estimate as set out in the report prepared by the Auditor General that is referred to in clause 29.

20. The Minister shall remit to the First Nation on a monthly basis positive amounts in respect of a particular Entitlement Year determined by the formula

[(A – B) / D] + [C / D]

where

21. If the result of the formula in clause 20 in respect of a particular Entitlement Year is negative, that amount multiplied by the number of months anticipated in the formula to be in that Entitlement Year is a debt due to Canada payable by the First Nation, subject to clause 22, within that Entitlement Year.

22. Unless otherwise agreed by the Parties, if the sum of the Prior Estimate Adjustments in the formula in clause 20 results in a reduction to the remittances in respect of a particular Entitlement Year that is equal to or greater than 20 percent of Net Tax Attributable to the First Nation for that year, the Minister may defer the repayment of a portion (hereinafter referred to as the “Deferred Amount”) of the total of the Prior Estimate Adjustments and the Deferred Amount will be repaid to Canada by the First Nation during the two Entitlement Years following the particular Entitlement Year.

23. Canada shall retain as its property an amount imposed under the First Nation Law if that amount:
24. Prior to each particular Entitlement Year, or as soon thereafter as is practical, the Assistant Deputy Minister or any authorized officer or class of officer of the Tax Policy Branch of the Department of Finance shall provide the First Nation with a written statement for review concerning remittances in respect of that Entitlement Year that includes the following information:

25. The first remittance made to the First Nation in respect of a particular Entitlement Year shall be made on or before the last Working Day of the month following the first month of that particular Entitlement Year or as soon thereafter as is practical. Subsequent remittances in respect of the particular Entitlement Year shall be made on or before the last Working Day of each month thereafter, or as soon thereafter as is practical, for the number of months equal to one less than the number of months in that particular Entitlement Year.

26. The Parties agree that, in respect of the Community Improvement Fee that is imposed while this Agreement is in effect, the Minister may pay to a person any refund, rebate or other amount that is payable in accordance with the First Nation Law.

27. If no amount is held on behalf of the First Nation from which payment under clause 26 may be made in accordance with this Agreement, or the amount of the payment exceeds the amount so held, Canada agrees to make the payment as a recoverable advance and the First Nation agrees that the advance shall be recovered against amounts of the Community Improvement Fee subsequently collected on behalf of the First Nation.

28. In the event that this Agreement is terminated, unless the Parties agree otherwise:

29. The Minister shall provide the First Nation with each report prepared by the Auditor General concerning the final determination, in accordance with clause 19, of Net Tax Attributable to the First Nation for each Entitlement Year and the remittances in respect of each Entitlement Year.

30. The statements provided under clause 24 and the reports provided under clause 29 shall be the only statements or reports provided to the First Nation by Canada in respect of amounts collected in accordance with this Agreement.

31. The procedures carried out to prepare the Auditor General’s reports will be determined by the Auditor General and will constitute the only procedures conducted by Canada with respect to the reporting obligations in connection with the determination of amounts as provided for in this Agreement. The First Nation agrees that it has no right to inspect the books and records of Canada in connection with this Agreement.

32. Unless the Parties agree otherwise, if a report prepared by the Auditor General in accordance with clause 29 indicates that the remittances for a particular Entitlement Year including the Prior Estimate Adjustments based on the re-estimates in respect of the particular Entitlement Year should be adjusted, the adjustment shall be incorporated as soon thereafter as is practical into the remittances in respect of an Entitlement Year that follows the particular Entitlement Year.

33. The Parties agree that the Minister of National Revenue shall have and may exercise all the powers of the First Nation relating to the administration and enforcement of the First Nation Law, including the collection of the Community Improvement Fee and other amounts imposed under that law while this Agreement is in effect and the collection of amounts, other than the Community Improvement Fee, imposed under that law after this Agreement ceases to have effect that relate to amounts imposed while this Agreement was in effect.

34. The First Nation agrees that the Minister of National Revenue shall be the administrative authority in respect of the Community Improvement Fee, including all interpretations, Assessments, determinations, decisions, and any other matter related to administration, collection or enforcement.

35. Canada shall administer the First Nation Law free of charge for the First Nation and Canada shall pay the costs, charges or expenses (including amounts in respect of prosecutions or other legal proceedings, other than amounts referred to in clause 37) that are incurred by Canada in the administration and enforcement of the First Nation Law and the collection of the Community Improvement Fee and other amounts imposed under that law.

36. Canada shall retain interest and penalties that are imposed under the First Nation Law and collected by the Minister of National Revenue.

37. Unless otherwise agreed by the Parties, the First Nation shall pay its own costs, charges and expenses incurred in relation to litigation to which the First Nation becomes a party, either voluntarily or because a party other than Canada requires it, relating to the validity of this Agreement, the Federal Act or the First Nation Law.

38. If this Agreement ceases at any time to have effect, the Minister of National Revenue shall continue after that time to assess, collect or pay, as the case requires, amounts payable under the First Nation Law in respect of the period in which this Agreement was in effect and amounts, other than the Community Improvement Fee, imposed under that law after this Agreement ceases to have effect that relate to amounts imposed while this Agreement was in effect.

39. The Minister of National Revenue may provide to the First Nation information acquired in the administration and enforcement of the First Nation Law or, subject to section 295 of the Excise Tax Act, Part IX of the Excise Tax Act. Such information shall be provided free of charge.

40. The First Nation, subject to any applicable confidentiality or privacy obligations, shall provide to Canada, free of charge, information that it acquires that could assist in the administration and enforcement of the First Nation Law, the collection of amounts payable under that law, or the estimation of payments to be made under this Agreement. Canada agrees that any information made available by the First Nation will not be used for any purpose other than the purpose for which it was provided.

41. Except in its capacity as a registrant or a person required to pay or entitled to receive amounts under the First Nation Law, the First Nation shall accept as final and binding all interpretations, Assessments, determinations, decisions, and other actions made or taken by the Minister of National Revenue for the purposes of the First Nation Law.

42. For the purposes of section 8 of the Federal Act, the Parties agree that the Chief is authorized to certify the First Nation Law to be a true copy and evidence that the law was duly enacted by the Council of Kahkewistahaw.

43. Canada shall notify the First Nation in writing that the First Nation Law requires amendment, where, in the opinion of the Minister, the First Nation Law does not:

44. Upon receipt of the notice referred to in clause 43, the Chief of the First Nation agrees to propose forthwith to the Council of Kahkewistahaw an amendment to the First Nation Law to rectify the deficiencies identified in the notice referred to in clause 43.

45. The Parties agree that if the First Nation Law is not amended to rectify the deficiencies identified in the notice referred to in clause 43, the Minister may terminate this Agreement:

46. Unless the Minister agrees otherwise, the First Nation shall provide the Minister with at least six months’ notice of the date on which it intends to repeal the First Nation Law, and shall provide the Minister with notice that the First Nation Law has been repealed within 10 days following the repeal.

47. In the event of a dispute between the Parties arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, other than disputes in respect of clause 9, 10, 41, 44, 45, 53 or 54, the Parties shall follow the procedure set out in subclauses (a) through (d) before pursuing other legal remedies.

48. The Parties agree that a decision arising from the dispute resolution process under clause 47 concerning a dispute in respect of the amount of money due to either Party for an Entitlement Year shall be implemented, notwithstanding clause 19, if written notice of the dispute is provided at any time during the period that begins at the beginning of the Entitlement Year and ends at the end of the sixth month in the fifth calendar year following the Entitlement Year.

49. The Parties may mutually determine time periods other than those referred to in clause 47.

50. Either Party may at any time request the other Party to review this Agreement and to consider amendments to this Agreement.

51. Subject to any applicable approvals, authorizations or legislative requirements, the Parties may, in writing, amend or vary this Agreement.

52. The Parties may mutually agree to terminate this Agreement at any time on such terms as may be agreed upon by the Parties.

53. The First Nation may terminate this Agreement by giving the Minister not less than six months’ written notice of its intention to terminate the Agreement, including the date upon which this Agreement shall end.

54. Except where clause 45 applies, the Minister may terminate this Agreement by giving the First Nation not less than six months’ written notice of the Minister’s intention to terminate the Agreement, including the date upon which this Agreement shall end.

55. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights or obligations under this Agreement may be assigned, either in whole or in part, by either Party.

56. Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict, or be construed as limiting or restricting, Canada’s right to alter or vary, in such manner as Canada may determine, the Federal Act or Part IX of the Excise Tax Act.

57. Nothing in this Agreement shall constitute or be construed as constituting an undertaking by Canada to collect the Community Improvement Fee or any other amount payable under the First Nation Law or to take any action with respect to the collection of those amounts where Canada has provided notice that, in the opinion of the Minister, a doubt exists that the First Nation has provided sufficient statutory or other authority for the imposition or collection of those amounts.

58. Where Canada does not collect the Community Improvement Fee or any other amount payable under the First Nation Law by reason of there being, in the opinion of the Minister, doubtful authority to do so, as provided in clause 57, and notice has been served in accordance with clause 43, the amount that, in the opinion of the Minister, Canada has thereby failed to collect but that has been taken into account in determining a payment to the First Nation made under this Agreement may be recovered by Canada as a debt due to Canada by the First Nation, notwithstanding that such payment was made to the First Nation as if there were sufficient authority.

59. The effective date of this Agreement is the fourteenth day following the latter of the dates when it is signed by the Parties.

60. This Agreement shall end:

61. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original and such counterparts together shall constitute one and the same instrument and this Agreement shall be effective on the date set out in clause 59. Facsimile and scanned signatures shall be accepted the same as original signatures.

For the Kahkewistahaw First Nation

Signed on this 15 day of July, 2015

Originally signed by:

Louis Taypotat
Chief, Kahkewistahaw First Nation

Michael Bob
Councillor, Kahkewistahaw First Nation

Darrel Taypotat
Councillor, Kahkewistahaw First Nation

Iris Taypotat
Councillor, Kahkewistahaw First Nation

Leila Louison
Councillor, Kahkewistahaw First Nation

For the Government of Canada

Signed on this 27 day of November, 2015

Originally signed by:

William Francis Morneau

Minister of Finance

1. In this annex:

2. In this Agreement, Interim and Final Estimates of Tax Attributable to the First Nation for an Entitlement Year shall be determined as follows:

ETAKFN = (CE R-BCKFN + CE ICKFN + ExemptKFN + HousingKFN) * (1 - LIA) *
(DEY / DCY)

where
3. Unless otherwise agreed by the Parties:
4. Unless otherwise agreed by the Parties:
5. In deciding whether the use of data other than data mentioned in clause 3 or 4 would be more appropriate for estimating RELINC or RELPOP, consideration shall be given to:

6. An Interim or Final Estimate of CE R-BCKFN for an Entitlement Year shall be determined as follows:

CE R-BCKFN = CE R-BC * RELPOP * RELINC

where CE R-BC is the estimated net amount of value-added tax associated with Residence-Based Consumption for that Entitlement Year for Saskatchewan as determined in accordance with clause 7 of this annex.

7. The Parties agree that:

8. An Interim or Final Estimate of CE ICKFN for an Entitlement Year shall be determined as follows:

CE ICKFN = ∑nj=1 {∑mi=1 (TaxCOLLECTIBLE i, j * ∝j)} + GAMETAXKFN

where

9. The Parties agree that for the purposes of determining ∝j, Statistics Canada or the Department of Finance will perform the calculations based on final or preliminary PIOTs for the calendar year that includes the Entitlement Year under consideration or, where final or preliminary PIOTs are not available for the calendar year that includes the Entitlement Year, on final or preliminary PIOTs for other years together with any adjustments that the Minister believes will yield a more accurate estimate of ∝j for that Entitlement Year.

10. For the purposes of this annex, Interim and Final Estimates of GAMETAXKFN will be determined by Canada using data selected at the discretion of the Minister. These data may include data from the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority, the Painted Hand Casino or the First Nation.

11. The Parties agree that:

12. An Interim or Final Estimate of ExemptKFN shall be determined as follows:

ExemptKFN = Exempt * RELPOP * RELINC

where Exempt is the estimated net amount of value-added tax associated with supplies acquired for consumption or use in the provision, by suppliers in Saskatchewan, of exempt supplies.

13. The Parties agree that:

14. An Interim or Final Estimate of HousingKFN shall be determined as follows:

HousingKFN = Housing * RELPOP * RELINC

where Housing is the estimated net amount of value-added tax associated with residential construction occurring within Saskatchewan.

15. An Interim or Final Estimate of Housing for each Entitlement Year will be determined by Statistics Canada or the Department of Finance.

16. The Parties agree that, for the purpose of making an Interim Estimate of LIA for an Entitlement Year:
17. The Parties agree that, for the purpose of making the Final Estimate of LIA for an Entitlement Year:
1. In this annex:

2 * (AvNetGSTpC) * (PofR) * (DEY / DCY);

    “Threshold 2” for an Entitlement Year is an amount equal to:

8 * (AvNetGSTpC) * (PofR) * (DEY / DCY).

2. Unless otherwise agreed by the Parties:

3. For each estimate of Tax Attributable to the First Nation for an Entitlement Year, Canada’s share shall be determined as follows:

Canada’s share = [(0.00 * A) + (0.50 * B) + (0.95 * C)]

where

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