B.C. and Ontario First Nations are not going to accept the HST without a fight. Leaders of the communities have said the governments decision to impose the harmonized sales tax is an attack on their sovereignty and breach of their legal obligation to consult with First Nations leaders on such matters.

“This is part of a deep misunderstanding that pervades our society overall and we have to reconcile between First Nations government and the Crown. Something is wrong and broken, it is time we changed the relationship between First Nations and Canada,” says Assembly of First Nations Chief Shawn Atleo.

“The proposed HST will put an additional burden on First Nation economies in the north, further impoverishing communities where the basic necessities of life are already beyond the means of the average person and family,” said Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy who represents 49 First Nation communities north of Thunder Bay, Sioux Lookout and Timmins.

The implementation of the HST will eliminate the current exemption of First Nations from the PST in Ontario. Leaders are saying that the governments choice to not to sit with First Nations to discuss the HST highlights the tattered relationship between the two. Grand chief of the Union of Ontario Indians Patrick Madahbee says, “this fight is going to continue to the end. We are not going to accept this HST.”

First Nations communities are certainly not alone in their opposition to the HST, as more people across Ontario and B.C. are joining groups and attending rallies in protest of the new tax.

You can find more information on the communities fight against the HST here.