MCK updates on gas tax situation

06/22/2011

The Mohawk Council of Kahnaw�:ke (MCK) wishes to inform Kahnawa�kehr�:non regarding developments on Qu�bec�s plan to implement a system of point-of-sale tax exemption for gasoline purchased by Native people on reserve.

Chief Lloyd Phillips attended a meeting last week between the Assembly of First Nations of Qu�bec & Labrador (AFNQL) and Revenu Qu�bec.

�While support is definitely there for �at the pump� tax exemption, the process the province is proposing doesn�t meet Kahnaw�:ke�s or anyone else�s needs. It needs to be reformed and simplified,� said Chief Phillips. �The chiefs in attendance were unanimous in voicing their concerns with Qu�bec�s plan

According to Chief Phillips, the AFNQL is advocating a review of the entire implementation process and has scheduled a meeting with Qu�bec�s Revenue Minister Raymond Bachand to discuss the issue face-to-face.

This situation came about as a result of a class-action lawsuit filed by AFNQL Regional Chief Ghislain Picard in 2004 that challenged the legality of the current �rebate� process for gas tax. The lawsuit refers to the �Specific tax� that is included on the cost of gasoline delivered to the retailer. The date to implement the new system had been previously announced as 1 Ohiari�k�:wa/July.