Multilateral Tax Administration Agreement Among the Government of Canada, the Shuswap First Nation, the Akisqnuk First Nation, the Lower Kootenay First Nation, the St. Mary's Indian Band and the Tobacco Plains Indian Band - January 1, 2008

WHEREAS:

the Shuswap First Nation Goods and Services Tax Law imposes a value-added tax within the lands described opposite the name of the Shuswap First Nation in Schedule 1 to the First Nations Goods and Services Tax Act (Canada);

each of the FNPs has separately enacted a law imposing a value-added tax on its reserves and has entered into a bilateral FNGST administration agreement with Canada in respect of its tax law and those agreements continue in effect;

section 5 of the Shuswap First Nation Goods and Services Tax Law provides that the Chief of SFN, with the approval and authorization of the SFN Council, may enter, on behalf of the SFN, into an administration agreement with Canada in relation to that tax;

the SFN Council has approved and authorized the Chief to enter into this agreement;

the Parties wish to enter into an agreement in respect of the value-added tax imposed under the Shuswap First Nation Goods and Services Tax Law on the St. Mary’s Reserve #1A, which was set aside for the joint use and benefit of all of the FNPs;

subsection 5(2) of the First Nations Goods and Services Tax Act (Canada) provides 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, in consideration of the terms, exchange of promises, covenants and conditions contained in this agreement, the Parties agree as follows:

1. In this agreement:

2. Unless a contrary intention appears in this agreement, words and expressions used in this agreement but not defined in clause 1 have the same meaning as in the Federal Act, or if the meaning does not exist in the Federal Act, have the meaning assigned by subsection 123(1) of the Excise Tax Act.

3. In this agreement, where a reference is made 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, the First Nation Law or that other law, or those regulations, as amended from time to time.

4. Canada agrees that the tax power of the SFN provided for in subsection 4(1) of the Federal Act applies in respect of the FNGST and other amounts imposed under the First Nation Law while this agreement is in effect and of amounts, other than the FNGST, imposed under that law after this agreement ceases to have effect that relate to amounts imposed while this agreement was in effect.

5. Canada shall act as the agent for the SFN in respect of the administration and enforcement of the First Nation Law, including the collection of FNGST and other amounts imposed under that law while this agreement is in effect and of amounts, other than the FNGST, imposed under that law after this agreement ceases to have effect that relate to amounts imposed while this agreement was in effect.

6. Canada shall account for the amounts collected under the First Nation Law on behalf of the SFN by estimating the associated revenues and Canada shall make and account for remittances to the SFN in accordance with this agreement.

7. 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.

8. The SFN 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 or a Non-Member.

9. The SFN agrees that the First Nation Law shall be made under the tax power in section 4 and consistent with section 11 of the Federal Act. The SFN 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 FNGST and other amounts imposed under that law.

10. The SFN shall provide the Minister in a timely manner with a certified true copy of:

11. The FNPs and their 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.

12. The FNPs and their agents and subservient bodies shall pay, and account for the payment of, 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.

13. The FNPs agree that the Shuswap First Nation Goods and Services Tax Law applies on the Shared Reserve.

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, in all instances, be optimal.

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

16. The sharing, if any, between the SFN and Canada of the amount estimated as Tax Attributable to the SFN for each 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 SFN 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 December 31 of the calendar year that includes the particular Entitlement Year, and not later than December 31 of each of the four calendar years following the particular Entitlement Year, the Minister shall annually re-estimate, using the procedure set out in clause 17, the Net Tax Attributable to the SFN for that particular Entitlement Year for the purpose of calculating in each of those years the 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 fifth re-estimate for that year, subject to the Minister incorporating any adjustments that may be required to the fifth re-estimate as set out in the report signed by the Auditor General that is referred to in clause 30.

20. Subject to Annex C, the Minister shall remit to the SFN on a monthly basis positive amounts in respect of a particular Entitlement Year determined by the formula

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 SFN, subject to clause 22, within that Entitlement Year.

22. 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 twenty percent of Net Tax Attributable to the SFN for that year, the FNPs may defer the repayment of a portion, agreed to by the Parties, (hereinafter referred to as the “Deferred Amount”) of the total of the Prior Estimate Adjustments and, unless otherwise agreed by the Parties, the Deferred Amount will be repaid to Canada in equal shares by the FNPs 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, the Assistant Deputy Minister or any authorized officer or class of officer of the Tax Policy Branch of the federal Department of Finance shall provide the FNPs with a written statement for review before payments commence in respect of that Entitlement Year that includes the following information:

25. The first remittance to the SFN and the first remittance of amounts assigned by the SFN, pursuant to Annex C, to the other FNPs 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. Subsequent remittances to the FNPs in respect of the particular Entitlement Year shall be made on or before the last working day of each month thereafter 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 FNGST 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 SFN from which payment under clause 26 may be made in accordance with this administration agreement, or the amount of the payment exceeds the amount so held, Canada agrees to make the payment as a recoverable advance and the SFN agrees that the advance shall be recovered against amounts of FNGST subsequently collected on behalf of the SFN.

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

29. The statements provided under clause 24 and subclause 28(e), and the report provided under clause 30, shall be the only statements or reports required to be provided to the FNPs by Canada in respect of amounts collected in accordance with this agreement.

30. The Minister shall annually provide the FNPs with a report, signed by the Auditor General, concerning the determination of amounts as provided for in this agreement.

31. The procedures carried out to prepare the Auditor General’s report 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 FNPs agree that they have no right to inspect the books and records of Canada in connection with this agreement.

32. Unless the Parties agree otherwise, if the Auditor General’s report indicates that the estimate or the most recent re-estimate in respect of an Entitlement Year should be adjusted, that adjustment shall be incorporated into the next re-estimate in respect of that Entitlement Year.

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

34. The SFN agrees that the Minister of National Revenue shall be the administrative authority in respect of the FNGST, 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 SFN 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 FNGST 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 FNPs shall pay their own costs, charges and expenses incurred in relation to litigation to which any FNP 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 FNGST, 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 SFN 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 FNPs, subject to any applicable confidentiality or privacy obligations shall provide to Canada, free of charge, information that they acquire 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 FNPs 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 FNPs shall accept as final and binding all interpretations, determinations, assessments, 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 authorized body, as defined in subsection 2(1) of the First Nation Law, is authorized to certify the First Nation Law to be a true copy and evidence that the law was duly enacted by the SFN.

43. Canada shall notify the SFN and the other FNPs 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 SFN agrees to propose to the governing body an amendment to the First Nation Law forthwith.

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, Canada may terminate this agreement:

46. Unless the Minister agrees otherwise, the SFN shall provide the Minister and the other FNPs with at least twelve 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 Canada and the FNPs arising out of or in connection with this agreement, other than disputes in respect of clause 8, 9, 41, 44 or 45 of this agreement, 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 a 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 subclauses 47(a) through (d).

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

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

52. Any of the FNPs may terminate this agreement by giving the Minister and the other FNPs not less than twelve months written notice of its intention to terminate the agreement, including the date upon which this agreement shall end.

53. Except where clause 45 applies, Canada may terminate this agreement by giving the FNPs not less than twelve months written notice of Canada’s intention to terminate the agreement, including the date upon which this agreement shall end.

54. Other than an assignment pursuant to Annex C, this agreement may not be assigned, either in whole or in part, by any Party.

55. Nothing in this agreement shall limit or restrict, or be construed as limiting or restricting, the right to alter or vary the Federal Act or Part IX of the Excise Tax Act.

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

57. Where Canada cannot collect the FNGST 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, 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 remittance to the FNPs made under this agreement may be recovered by Canada as a debt due to Canada by the FNPs, notwithstanding that such remittances were made to the FNPs as if there were sufficient authority.

58. The effective date of this agreement is the fourteenth day following the latter of:
59. This agreement shall end:

60. 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 58. Facsimile signatures shall be accepted the same as original signatures.

Signed on, this day of , 2007, for the Shuswap First Nation, the signatory being authorized to do so:

Originally signed by:

Chief Paul Sam

Signed on, this day of , 2007, for the Government of Canada, the signatory being authorized to do so:

Originally signed by:

Minister of Finance

Signed on this day of , 2007, for the Akisqnuk First Nation, the signatories being authorized to do so as a quorum of three:

Originally signed by:

Chief Wilfred Teneese

Councillor Jesse Nicholas

Councillor Samantha Sam

Councillor Lorne Shovar

Councillor Beatrice Stevens

Signed on this day of , 2007, for the Lower Kootenay Indian Band, the signatories being authorized to do so as a quorum of three:

Originally signed by:

Chief Christopher Luke

Councillor Anne Jimmie

Councillor M. Jason Louie

Councillor Joseph Pierre

Councillor Arlene Teasley

Signed on this day of , 2007, for the St. Mary’s Indian Band, the signatories being authorized to do so as a quorum of three:

Originally signed by:

Chief Sophie Pierre

Councillor Remus Clement

Councillor Agnes McCoy

Councillor Joseph Pierre

Councillor Jim Whitehead

Signed on this day of , 2007, for the Tobacco Plains Indian Band, the signatories being authorized to do so as a quorum of three:

Originally signed by:

Chief Mary Mahseelah

Councillor Rob Eneas

Councillor Dan Gravelle

Councillor Robin D. Gravelle

Councillor Robert Luke

1. In this annex:

2. An Interim Estimate or Final Estimate of Tax Attributable to the Shared Reserve for an Entitlement Year shall be determined as follows:

ETAShared Reserve = (CE R-BCShared Reserve + CE ICShared Reserve + ExemptShared Reserve + HousingShared Reserve) * (1-LIA) * (DEY/DCY)

  • where
  • ETAShared Reserve is an Interim Estimate or Final Estimate of Tax Attributable to the Shared Reserve.
  • CE R-BCShared Reserve is an estimate of Tax Attributable associated with Residence-Based Consumption occurring on the Shared Reserve as determined in accordance with clause 5 of this annex;
  • CE ICShared Reserve is an estimate of Tax Attributable associated with Immediate Consumption occurring on the Shared Reserve, as determined in accordance with clause 7 of this annex;
  • ExemptShared Reserve is an estimate of Tax Attributable associated with consumption or use in the provision of exempt supplies by establishments located on the Shared Reserve, as determined in accordance with clause 13 of this annex;
  • HousingShared Reserve is an estimate of Tax Attributable associated with residential construction occurring on the Shared Reserve, as determined in accordance with clause 15 of this annex;
  • LIA is the proportion that the GST Credit for British Columbia for the calendar year represents of the net amount of GST for British Columbia for that calendar year, as determined in accordance with clauses 17 and 18 of this annex;
  • DEY is the number of days in the Entitlement Year; and
  • DCY is the number of days in the calendar year that includes the Entitlement Year.
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1. In this annex:
2. The Parties agree that:
3. For each Estimate of Tax Attributable to the Shared Reserve for a particular Entitlement Year, Canada’s share shall be determined as follows:

1. In this annex, “Net Tax Attributable to the Shared Reserve” means the difference between the estimate of the Tax Attributable to the Shared Reserve as determined in accordance with Annex A and Canada’s share of the Tax Attributable to the Shared Reserve, as determined in accordance with Annex B.

2. The Parties recognize the equal interests of the FNPs in the Shared Reserve and agree that the Net Tax Attributable to the Shared Reserve shall be shared equally among the FNPs.

3. In full recognition of the interests that each FNP holds in the Shared Reserve, the SFN irrevocably assigns in favour of the other FNPs the following shares of the Net Tax Attributable to the Shared Reserve under the Shuswap First Nation Goods and Services Tax Law :
4. The Parties agree that Canada shall:

5. The Parties agree that amounts irrevocably assigned by the SFN and remitted by Canada to the FNPs shall be subject to re-estimation and adjustment like other estimates and remittances made under this agreement.

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