AKWESASNE RESIDENTS EXEMPT FROM QUEBEC HEALTH CONTRIBUTION
20, Onerahtoka/ April 2012
AKWESASNE MOHAWK TERRITORY – On April 18, 2012 the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne held a meeting with representatives from Revenue Quebec and confirmed that registered status Indians will be exempt from making the Quebec Health Contribution. The province’s health contribution plan went into affect on July 1, 2010 and required that all adults living in the province to make annual payments.
According to Kanatakon District Chief Rachel Roundpoint, “As a result of efforts undertaken by the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador, Quebec officials have confirmed that Akwesasne community members living in Kanatakon and Tsi Snaihne are now exempt from the Quebec Health Contribution.”
The Quebec Revenue Agency submitted Notices of Assessment to Kanatakon and Tsi Snaihne residents indicating that they must pay a health contribution of $25 beginning in the 2010 tax year. Afterward, they were required to pay $100 in 2011, and $200 in 2012, up to a maximum of $500 per year. The payments, or fees, were to be taken out of income tax returns starting in the spring of 2011.
According to Article 96 of An Act Respecting the Ministère du Revenu, there are existing exemptions for certain groups from the making general health contributions. One of those groups are legally recognized, or registered Indians, as defined by the Indian Act.
“We are aware that the Quebec Health Contribution has caused some confusion and may have resulted in some Akwesasne residents making a payment to Quebec,” stated Tsi Snaihne District Chief Karen Loran. She added, “As a result, we are continuing our discussions with Revenue Quebec and the advised that Akwesasne residents will be reimbursed if they have already submitted a payment to the province.”
More information on the Quebec Health Contribution, as well as how individuals can obtain a refund, will be shared in the near future.
