Important Notice regarding Quebec Health Contribution

09/19/2011

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) is urging Kahnawa’kehró:non to file a Notice of Objection with the Quebec Revenue Agency should they receive Notices of Assessment indicating that they must pay a health contribution of $25.

Several members of this and other communities have already received such assessments. The Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador is addressing this issue with the Quebec government. They are advocating that Native people fill out the Notice of Objection, a course of action that the MCK agrees with wholeheartedly. The MCK originally submitted a notice of disagreement with Revenue Quebec in March of 2011. Since that time meetings set up through the efforts of Chief Mike Bush have also taken place with the agency.

Community members who receive a Notice of Assessment, as well as those may have already paid the fee, are urged to file an objection by completing the proper form (MR-93.1.1-V Notice of Objection) along with the Relevant Facts and Reasons for the Object letter as an attachment. The forms will be made available at the MCK main office, the MCK Social Development Unit (at the Services Complex), the Capital Unit (next to Kateri School) and online at www.kahnawake.com . 

“We’re working with the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec & Labrador on a strategy to object to this new form of fee, or what could be viewed as taxation,” said Chief Lloyd  Phillips. “As well, our Quebec-Kahnawà:ke Relations working group has also filed a request for a moratorium on any type of assessments on our people.”  

Further information will be forthcoming.