Makivik representatives continue to press the federal government and Quebec government to alter the tax system to better reflect the realities and needs of Nunavummiut.
Since 1995, spokespersons of Makivik and the Kativik Regional Government have attended numerous meetings with representatives of various federal government departments concerned with policy and the collection of taxes. To date, there has been some progress on issues concerning how the GST is applied on capital works projects such as the Nunavik Marine Infrastructure Program. However, it has been more difficult in reaching agreements with the federal government concerning issues such as the taxation of students that have to travel out of their communities to achieve a higher education or in obtaining tax considerations for harvesters of traditional northern foods.
Several key facts have formed the focal points of these efforts, including the fact Inuit pay income tax, that Quebecers are the highest taxed citizens within Canada, and that the cost of living in Nunavik is much higher.
Recent rapid increases in the price of oil and rising transportation cost may offer a new opportunity to raise public and political attention to these issues.
While some tax relief was included for families and post-secondary students in recent federal budgets, we have yet to obtain complete exemption from federal taxation of transportation subsidies provided to Nunavik students studying outside of their community of residence.
Makivik representatives continue to press the federal government and Quebec government to alter the tax system to better reflect the realities and needs of Nunavummiut.
