enact binding national measures against land-grabbing, corruption based on land transfer and the use of land for speculative investment.

Germany first notified the land development scheme in 2002.

WHEREAS the proposed “First Nations Fiscal Institutions Act”, is national legislation, 1) which is based upon a municipal model, as well as, delegated authority, not the recognition of our inherent right of self-determination and self-government; 2) will lead to increased taxation over our members, while likely decreasing federal ongoing obligations and responsibilities for transfer payments for capital projects to our band; 3) will likely lead to assimilation of our Reserves into municipal and provincial taxation and land tenure systems; 4) will likely have a negative effect on our band members for generations to come.

The bulk of the bill relates to the Governor in Council’s power to make regulations, at the request of a First Nation, to permit the registration of project lands in a land registry system that replicates provincial land title or registry systems.

There would be a tax incentive to encourage private owners to make ecological gifts, mostly in the form of land transfers to governments and authorities.

One issue that has been raised at our table, although not one we are discussing jointly, is the reality that when land is transferred to a First Nation that there is not a commensurate reduction to the province in transfers.