Nations
I've done a lot of research on nation vs. 'Nation' (the actual physical manifestations of nations versus the theoretical concept), and it is clear that neither actually exist. Allow me to elucidate: What does nation mean? A body of individuals united by some undefined, unrestricted common ground, usually (but not always) contained within certain geographical borders (of any size or area). Essentially, one might choose any definition of 'nation' they please, and still, it would be correct.
I am all for First Nation and Quebecquois sovereignty, but one must interrogate:
What does it mean to be a Nation within another Nation? What does it mean to (constantly) have to protect your system of government, culture, language? What is the significance of sovereignty when it is granted by another, much larger nation, whose geographical borders subsume one's own? Perhaps more importantly, what are the consequences?
HST has intrigued me. How did this proposal come to exist when it is so clearly problematic? What about those that are not governed by the province? Nor, theoretically, the country? What about those that currently do not pay 14%? What is going to happen at the point of sale? I contacted Liberal MPP and provincial Minister of Northern Development on the subject. Here is what he had to say:
"The largest aspect of the plan is to reduce costs to business and industry. Therefore, a temporary rise in the cost of some consumer products will eventually give way to market forces, as producers and retailers see opportunities to lower prices due to reduced overhead via the Single Sales Tax. As one business takes this step, competitors will naturally follow suit.
"This was a difficult move to make, and we anticipated a public outcry, as we tend to experience whenever the word "tax" comes up. There will be no significant increase in revenue collected by the province; this was not a decision made to enrich provincial coffers through taxpayers, so much as it was an urgent response to stimulate economic recovery and job creation. Tough times call for tough decisions, and I am proud that our government has adopted this straightforward strategy.
"Through close examination of the potential benefits of a single sales tax, I can say that I support this decision because I honestly believe that it will prove good for the province and good for Thunder Bay-Superior North."
He was unable to answer questions about my specific situation: Status Indian, student, individual-not-business. To be honest, I don't mind it for myself - sometimes I forget to be exempt. I can afford it. I'm lucky. A lot of people can't afford it though, and they shouldn't have to - based on legal and binding contracts and treaties signed by the government of Canada. CANADA. Not Stephen Harper Land. Based on the faith that these contracts would be upheld by EVER-changing cabinets.
My thoughts on taxes: Tax me to the hilt! If I agree with how you spend the money. Give it all to Northern Development, make me Minister, I will ACTUALLY DEVELOP THE ACTUAL NORTH. And I don't mean Thunder Bay. I don't want to pay to bailout privatized industry. If you wanted the government to have a hand in your business/service, then you should have left them public, or sold them back to the government in order to facilitate re-publicization. Canadian Parliament, why don't you realize this!?
Upon investigation on my own, I found a variety of band councils and movement leaders are protesting the tax. The CBC article (linked below) states that provincial government has been open to dialogue and respectful of these concerns, it is the feds that haven't given a damn.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/09/23/aboriginal-hst-tax-0923.html
WHAT THE HELL? We pay federal tax, are bound by federal labour law, are theoretically administered to (when needed) by the federal government. I assumed, perhaps, that federal members of parliament might organize a minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. Oh wait, they have one. Chuck Strahl. Guess what his job is though:
Federal interlocuter for Metis and Non-Status Indians.
WHAT? So Status Indians have no representation in federal government, and clearly no representation in provincial government. And he's a conservative businessman from BC to boot.** Remember what Gravelle said, HST's motive is to build Canadian business/industry.
Apparently he has refused appeals to open a dialogue from both FN lobby groups AND the provincial Aboriginal Affairs Minister. The following article portrays Strahl as the villain of the piece, and rightfully so, his douchebaggery is only eclipsed by that of Dalton McGuinty. Please, PLEASE, oust him.
http://media.knet.ca/node/7487
'The New Democrats said Ontario's Liberal government failed to even talk with First Nations before it signed a deal with the federal Conservative government to harmonize the eight per cent PST with the five per cent goods and services tax.
"Without consulting, the McGuinty Liberals have surrendered decision-making powers to the federal government, a move that could end the point-of-sale exemption for off-reserve purchases," complained NDP Leader Andrea Horwath.'
THANK you Andrea Howarth, you aren't complaining, you are stating a FACT.
http://media.knet.ca/node/7475
“The fact of the matter is that it is individuals and families that will bear the brunt of this new tax. Many of our citizens and families are already living at or below the poverty line; it is a well known fact that the First Nations population is one of the most vulnerable and marginalized in society” said Grand Chief Randall Phillips of the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians, adding his concern that this tax will add to the burden that many First Nation families are already experiencing. Phillips added that the September 18, 2009 Special Report prepared by Toronto-Dominion Economics on the impacts of sales tax harmonization is further evidence that ultimately it is the consumer that will carry a heavier burden in making up for the lost revenue.
“Ontario and Canada have publicly pledged their commitment to helping eradicate First Nations poverty, but this cash grab will contribute to it. We have been working with the province to help recover our rightful share of the resource wealth that we agreed to share in the Treaties; there was never any agreement that First Nations pay taxes to any other nation” said Anishinabek Grand Council Chief Patrick Mahdahbee, who represents 42 First Nations in Ontario.
It becomes clear: our system of government has ensured that our only power is lobby, and if you're short a couple billion, you can bet your lobby will not be heard. Deserved sovereignty has only been effective in ensuring we do not have a regular voice in dominant parliament.
Unless we ban together. Unless we sit on their doorstep. Unless we make ourselves known. Unless we are prepared to do whatever it takes to CHANGE the balance of power, not accept handouts and bend to Ottawa/Outaouais.
Unless we show them our strength.
I am all for First Nation and Quebecquois sovereignty, but one must interrogate:
What does it mean to be a Nation within another Nation? What does it mean to (constantly) have to protect your system of government, culture, language? What is the significance of sovereignty when it is granted by another, much larger nation, whose geographical borders subsume one's own? Perhaps more importantly, what are the consequences?
HST has intrigued me. How did this proposal come to exist when it is so clearly problematic? What about those that are not governed by the province? Nor, theoretically, the country? What about those that currently do not pay 14%? What is going to happen at the point of sale? I contacted Liberal MPP and provincial Minister of Northern Development on the subject. Here is what he had to say:
"The largest aspect of the plan is to reduce costs to business and industry. Therefore, a temporary rise in the cost of some consumer products will eventually give way to market forces, as producers and retailers see opportunities to lower prices due to reduced overhead via the Single Sales Tax. As one business takes this step, competitors will naturally follow suit.
"This was a difficult move to make, and we anticipated a public outcry, as we tend to experience whenever the word "tax" comes up. There will be no significant increase in revenue collected by the province; this was not a decision made to enrich provincial coffers through taxpayers, so much as it was an urgent response to stimulate economic recovery and job creation. Tough times call for tough decisions, and I am proud that our government has adopted this straightforward strategy.
"Through close examination of the potential benefits of a single sales tax, I can say that I support this decision because I honestly believe that it will prove good for the province and good for Thunder Bay-Superior North."
He was unable to answer questions about my specific situation: Status Indian, student, individual-not-business. To be honest, I don't mind it for myself - sometimes I forget to be exempt. I can afford it. I'm lucky. A lot of people can't afford it though, and they shouldn't have to - based on legal and binding contracts and treaties signed by the government of Canada. CANADA. Not Stephen Harper Land. Based on the faith that these contracts would be upheld by EVER-changing cabinets.
My thoughts on taxes: Tax me to the hilt! If I agree with how you spend the money. Give it all to Northern Development, make me Minister, I will ACTUALLY DEVELOP THE ACTUAL NORTH. And I don't mean Thunder Bay. I don't want to pay to bailout privatized industry. If you wanted the government to have a hand in your business/service, then you should have left them public, or sold them back to the government in order to facilitate re-publicization. Canadian Parliament, why don't you realize this!?
Upon investigation on my own, I found a variety of band councils and movement leaders are protesting the tax. The CBC article (linked below) states that provincial government has been open to dialogue and respectful of these concerns, it is the feds that haven't given a damn.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/09/23/aboriginal-hst-tax-0923.html
WHAT THE HELL? We pay federal tax, are bound by federal labour law, are theoretically administered to (when needed) by the federal government. I assumed, perhaps, that federal members of parliament might organize a minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. Oh wait, they have one. Chuck Strahl. Guess what his job is though:
Federal interlocuter for Metis and Non-Status Indians.
WHAT? So Status Indians have no representation in federal government, and clearly no representation in provincial government. And he's a conservative businessman from BC to boot.** Remember what Gravelle said, HST's motive is to build Canadian business/industry.
Apparently he has refused appeals to open a dialogue from both FN lobby groups AND the provincial Aboriginal Affairs Minister. The following article portrays Strahl as the villain of the piece, and rightfully so, his douchebaggery is only eclipsed by that of Dalton McGuinty. Please, PLEASE, oust him.
http://media.knet.ca/node/7487
'The New Democrats said Ontario's Liberal government failed to even talk with First Nations before it signed a deal with the federal Conservative government to harmonize the eight per cent PST with the five per cent goods and services tax.
"Without consulting, the McGuinty Liberals have surrendered decision-making powers to the federal government, a move that could end the point-of-sale exemption for off-reserve purchases," complained NDP Leader Andrea Horwath.'
THANK you Andrea Howarth, you aren't complaining, you are stating a FACT.
http://media.knet.ca/node/7475
“The fact of the matter is that it is individuals and families that will bear the brunt of this new tax. Many of our citizens and families are already living at or below the poverty line; it is a well known fact that the First Nations population is one of the most vulnerable and marginalized in society” said Grand Chief Randall Phillips of the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians, adding his concern that this tax will add to the burden that many First Nation families are already experiencing. Phillips added that the September 18, 2009 Special Report prepared by Toronto-Dominion Economics on the impacts of sales tax harmonization is further evidence that ultimately it is the consumer that will carry a heavier burden in making up for the lost revenue.
“Ontario and Canada have publicly pledged their commitment to helping eradicate First Nations poverty, but this cash grab will contribute to it. We have been working with the province to help recover our rightful share of the resource wealth that we agreed to share in the Treaties; there was never any agreement that First Nations pay taxes to any other nation” said Anishinabek Grand Council Chief Patrick Mahdahbee, who represents 42 First Nations in Ontario.
It becomes clear: our system of government has ensured that our only power is lobby, and if you're short a couple billion, you can bet your lobby will not be heard. Deserved sovereignty has only been effective in ensuring we do not have a regular voice in dominant parliament.
Unless we ban together. Unless we sit on their doorstep. Unless we make ourselves known. Unless we are prepared to do whatever it takes to CHANGE the balance of power, not accept handouts and bend to Ottawa/Outaouais.
Unless we show them our strength.