Martin Credits Aboriginal and Public Pressure for Reported Imminent HST Deal

“I have said repeatedly that the best way not to have those blockades was for people to tell Ottawa and Ontario to honour historic treaty obligations with our First Nations.”
 
OTTAWA – The apparent breakthrough to exempt Ontario First Nations from the HST happened because of strong Aboriginal and public pressure, Sault MP Tony Martin said today.
 
“This is good news that first needs to be confirmed and then communicated publicly immediately, with the threat of blockades for the area next week,” Martin said. “I have said repeatedly that the best way not to have those blockades was for people to tell Ottawa and Ontario to honour historic treaty obligations with our First Nations.”
 
Martin and his six Northern Ontario NDP MPs wrote Finance Minister Jim Flaherty in May and again in early June urging he meet with First Nations. Those meetings finally began around June 7. When NDP leader Jack Layton came to Sault Ste. Marie for Northern Council in May, Martin with Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes arranged a meeting with Aboriginal leaders.
 
“First Nations leaders and their membership are frustrated with the finger pointing as to which level of government should be addressing their concerns pertaining to the loss of point of sale exemption,” wrote the northern MPs. “The fact remains that both levels of government knew full well that a point of sale exemption existed for Ontario First Nations and it would appear that your governments chose to either turn a blind eye or attempted to circumvent this agreement.”
 
The Chiefs of Ontario, representing Ontario's' 133 First Nations, stated in a bulletin Wednesday that talks were ongoing and they were anticipating an announcement Friday at the latest.
 
Media reports indicate the federal government is set to give First Nations “a major concession” on Ontario's new HST, which kicks in July 1, exempting the eight per cent provincial portion of the new 13 per cent tax.
 
New Democrats continue to oppose the HST being introduced in the province July 1, 2010, a tax supported by the federal Conservatives and Ontario Liberal government.
 
“I wouldn’t exactly call honouring a treaty right a concession but given the direction they were going the governments are to be congratulated for listening to people on this very important issue and we are glad to have done our part.” Martin said.