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Tk'emlups te Secwepemc denies TRHD request to begin collecting hospital tax from non-band residents

TteS says no to hospital tax

Tk’emlups te Secwepemc has denied a request from the Thompson Regional Hospital District asking the band to start collecting hospital taxes from some reserve residents.

In a letter sent to TteS in late December, Mayor Ken Christian, chair of the Thompson Regional Hospital District, said the hospital district collects revenue through the property tax system to fund hospital infrastructure and equipment.

However, taxes are not currently collected by the hospital district from non-band members residing on Tk’emlups reserve lands.

In the letter, Christian said residents in Sun Rivers and Sienna Ridge subdivisions use Royal Inland Hospital and healthcare infrastructure, but don’t pay taxes towards those services.

As the TteS is the taxing authority for the reserve, Christian proposed they form an agreement for “tax collection and flow-through” to the hospital district.

Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir responded in a letter dated June 8, saying although she understood the rationale behind the request, the band is not in a position to make such an arrangement for a number of reasons.

Casimir said TteS would be open to a tax collecting arrangement if they are able to retain other taxation generated on reserve that flows through to other governments.

“As a government, TteS needs all the tools of government, including taxation. Currently there is only piecemeal or limited recognition of our role as government which creates an unfair playing field,” Casimir said.

She said TteS generates at least seven times more sales and income taxes for other governments than it collects in local revenues, and taxes from fuel, alcohol and tobacco.

“What that means is that other levels of government are getting the benefit of taxes collected on reserve that rightfully should be coming to us, the governing body. Other governments are using funding, that should be ours, to fund things like hospitals.”

She said another factor influencing the decision is that there are different health care outcomes and experiences for Indigenous Canadians compared those who are non-Indigenous.

“If we are expected to contribute to the operations of the hospital, that would lead us to a broader discussion on health care experiences and outcomes,” she said.

Casimir also said that TteS also does not have formal participation in hospital board decision making — and if they are to collect taxes, they also would like to participate.

“One way that you can support TteS is to understand better why these requests are concerning and help support TteS in advancing its position in parity on taxation jurisdiction.”

In a Thompson-Nicola Regional District Board of Directors meeting Thursday, Christian addressed Casimir's response, making a motion that the TNRD seek a meeting with Adrian Dix, the provincial health minister, to discuss the matter.

Christian told the district the TRHD is not looking for a contribution from TteS members or the band, but from non-Indigenous people who have properties there.

He said in light of Casimir's letter, a meeting with Dix would help to clarify where tax dollars are going.

Christian said tax notices for those living in the City of Kamloops or other municipalities indicate that money is being paid to various municipal authorities, including the hospital district, while tax assessment for those living on First Nations land just indicates a blanket amount.

“This is to research with the minister that if the assertion that they are contributing tax dollars to the province of British Columbia in the amount said, then I’m looking for the province of British Columbia to offset the TRHD for that amount of money. Someone, somewhere, has to pay just to make sure the playing field is equitable,” Christian said.

TNRD Board Chair Ken Gillis asked Christian for clarification.

“What you’re suggesting is that money is being forwarded to the province, but none of it is coming back to the regional hospital district. Your suggestion is that, if the province is gathering up that money, they should pony up toward the hospital,” Gillis said.

Christian responded that he’d suggest that someone is getting the money, but it’s not coming back to the regional hospital district.

“That’s the piece that’s bothering me,” Christian said.



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