CALGARY: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation's Centre for Aboriginal Policy Change responded today to the federal government's proposed self-government agreement with the Westbank Indian Band of British Columbia.

"This is a disastrous piece of legislation. If Members of Parliament pass this agreement, Canada's elected officials will deny certain Canadians the right to vote in community elections and in so doing will strip the fundamental rights of Canadian citizens," stated Fiss.

The proposed Westbank Self-Government Agreement (Bill C-11) will shield the Westbank government from the application of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Agreement will also give the Westbank Grand Council authority to make laws that may prevail over federal and provincial laws.

"By shielding the Westbank government from the Charter, Westbank laws would be immune from a Charter challenge. In other words, Westbank laws could discriminate between residents of Westbank based on their race, religion, or gender and the victim of discrimination could not use the Charter to strike down the offence," explained Fiss.

The federal government plans to use the Westbank self-government agreement as a template for future negotiations. "This piece of legislation will set a precedent which other Indian Bands will follow. Clearly, this Bill will have national repercussions for generations," stated Fiss.

The Westbank Indian Band population is 594 of whom 383 live on the reserve. There are more than 7,500 non-Aboriginal people who live or own businesses on the Westbank reserve.

"If passed, the self-government agreement will give the Westbank Indian Band members absolute power over the entire community of 8,000 people. The Westbank Indian Band will collect taxes from non-Aboriginal people who live or own businesses on the reserve, but the Indian Band will not let these people participate in community elections. This amounts to taxation without representation," said Fiss.