VICTORIA: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation's (CTF) Centre for Aboriginal Policy Change today reacted to the unveiling of a draft agreement-in-principle (AIP) with the Snuneymuxw native band of Nanaimo.

Under the AIP, the BC and federal governments will agree to share a percentage of federal and provincial revenues to fund the Snuneymuxw native band's government and programs. "The province has agreed to share, on an ongoing basis, a percentage of the province's revenues to finance the Band's government and programs," said Tanis Fiss, director, Centre for Aboriginal Policy Change.

"If finalized, this treaty will be a gift that keeps on giving. Native communities will never strive to become self-sufficient if their governments and programs are always able to rely on taxpayer hand-outs," continued Fiss.

The draft AIP offers the native band comprehensive cash, assets, land and special rights. "In addition to forest tenure giveaways and a native only commercial fishery, the governments of Canada and British Columbia will hand over $75 million in cash and assets, including a federal building in downtown Nanaimo," stated Fiss. "Under the agreement, the 1,344 member native band will see its land base go from 300 hectares to over 5,000 hectares of land."

Before the agreement-in-principle can be finalized, and the terms and conditions of a finalized treaty drafted, the members of the Snuneymuxw native band must vote on whether or not to ratify the AIP in a referendum. Since the BC treaty negotiation process began over 10 years ago, no band has voted to ratify a draft agreement-in-principle.

If the draft agreement-in-principle is accepted by the Snuneymuxw band members, they will no longer be exempt from paying federal or provincial taxation. "Under this agreement the tax exemption provided for under section 87 of the Indian Act will no longer apply. Although the details have yet to be finalized it is likely the transitional period will be similar to that of the Nisga'a Treaty," concluded Fiss.