Short Title

Marginal note:Short title

1 This Act may be cited as the First Nations Fiscal Management Act.

Interpretation

Marginal note:Definitions

• 2 (1) The following definitions apply in this Act.

  borrowing member

  borrowing member means a first nation that has been accepted as a borrowing member under subsection 76(2) and has not ceased to be a borrowing member under section 77. (membre emprunteur)

  council

  council has the same meaning as council of the band in subsection 2(1) of the Indian Act. (conseil de la première nation)

  first nation

  first nation means a band named in the schedule. (première nation)

  First Nations Finance Authority

  First Nations Finance Authority means the corporation established under section 58. (Administration financière des premières nations)

  First Nations Financial Management Board

  First Nations Financial Management Board means the board established under subsection 38(1). (Conseil de gestion financière des premières nations)

  First Nations Gazette

  First Nations Gazette means the publication published under section 34. (Gazette des premières nations)

  First Nations Statistical Institute

  First Nations Statistical Institute[Repealed, 2012, c. 19, s. 659]

  First Nations Tax Commission

  First Nations Tax Commission means the commission established under subsection 17(1). (Commission de la fiscalité des premières nations)

  local revenue law

  local revenue law means a law made under subsection 5(1). (texte législatif sur les recettes locales)

  local revenues

  local revenues means moneys raised under a local revenue law and payments made to a first nation in lieu of a tax imposed by a law made under paragraph 5(1)(a). (recettes locales)

  Minister

  Minister means the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. (ministre)

  property taxation law

  property taxation law means a law made under paragraph 5(1)(a). (texte législatif relatif à l’imposition foncière)

  third-party management

  third-party management means the management of a first nation’s local revenues under section 53. (Version anglaise seulement)

• Marginal note:Indian Act definitions

  (2) Unless the context otherwise requires, words and expressions used in this Act and not otherwise defined have the same meaning as in the Indian Act.

• Marginal note:Amendments to schedule

  (3) At the request of the council of a band, the Minister may, by order, amend the schedule in order to

  • (a) add or change the name of the band; or

  • (b) delete the name of the band, as long as there are no amounts owing by the band to the First Nations Finance Authority that remain unpaid.

• Marginal note:For greater certainty

  (4) For greater certainty, nothing in this Act shall be construed as requiring capital infrastructure or capital assets for the provision of local services on reserve lands to be located on reserve lands.

Aboriginal Rights

Marginal note:Aboriginal and treaty rights

3 For greater certainty, nothing in this Act shall be construed so as to abrogate or derogate from any existing aboriginal or treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

PART 1First Nations Fiscal Powers

Marginal note:Financial administration laws

4 The council of a first nation may not make a law under paragraph 5(1)(d) until the council has made a law respecting the financial administration of the first nation under paragraph 9(1)(a) and that law has been approved by the First Nations Financial Management Board.

Marginal note:Local revenue laws

• 5 (1) Subject to subsections (2) to (6), sections 4 and 6 and any regulations made under paragraph 36(1)(d), the council of a first nation may make laws

  • (a) respecting taxation for local purposes of reserve lands, interests in reserve lands or rights to occupy, possess or use reserve lands, including

    • (i) the assessment of the value of those lands, interests and rights, the requisition of any information necessary to conduct the assessment and the inspection, in accordance with procedures prescribed by regulation, for assessment purposes of any reserve lands that are subject to taxation for local purposes,

    • (ii) a mechanism to establish tax rates and apply them to the assessed value of those lands, interests and rights,

    • (iii) taxation for the provision of services in respect of reserve lands,

    • (iv) the taxation of business activities on reserve lands, and

    • (v) the imposition of development cost charges;

  • (a.1) respecting the charging of fees for the provision of services or the use of facilities on reserve lands, or for a regulatory process, permit, licence or other authorization, in relation to water, sewers, waste management, animal control, recreation and transportation, as well as any other similar services;

  • (b) authorizing the expenditure of local revenues;

  • (c) respecting procedures by which the interests of taxpayers may be represented to the council;

  • (d) respecting the borrowing of money from the First Nations Finance Authority, including any authorization to enter into a particular borrowing agreement with that Authority;

  • (e) subject to any conditions and procedures prescribed by regulation, respecting the enforcement of laws made under paragraphs (a) and (a.1) in respect of outstanding taxes, charges or fees, including

    • (i) the creation of liens on reserve lands and interests in reserve lands,

    • (ii) the imposition and recovery of interest and penalties on an amount payable pursuant to a law made under that paragraph, where the amount is not paid when it is due, and the rate of interest or the amount of the penalty, as the case may be,

    • (iii) subject to subsection (7), the seizure, forfeiture and assignment of interests or rights in reserve lands,

    • (iv) the seizure and sale of personal property located on reserve lands, other than property located in a dwelling,

    • (v) the discontinuance of services, and

    • (vi) the recovery of costs that are incurred by the first nation for the enforcement of those laws;

  • (f) delegating to any person or body any of the council’s powers to make laws under any of paragraphs (a) to (e); and

  • (g) delegating to the First Nations Financial Management Board any other of the council’s powers that are required to give effect to a co-management arrangement entered into under section 52 or to give effect to third-party management of the first nation’s local revenues.

• Marginal note:Approval required

  (2) A law made under subsection (1) does not have any force or effect until it is approved by the First Nations Tax Commission.

• Marginal note:Coming into force

  (3) A law made under subsection (1) comes into force on the later of

  • (a) the day of coming into force set out in the law, and

  • (b) the day after it is approved by the First Nations Tax Commission.

• Marginal note:Appeals

  (4) A law made under subparagraph (1)(a)(i) shall include

  • (a) an appeal procedure in respect of assessments, incorporating such procedures as are prescribed by regulation; and

  • (b) fixed rates of remuneration and fixed terms of office for any persons designated to decide the appeals.

• (5) [Repealed, 2015, c. 36, s. 178]

• Marginal note:Special levy

  (6) A property taxation law of a borrowing member shall provide that the borrowing member must make a law under paragraph (1)(a) in order to recover amounts payable under paragraph 84(5)(b).

• Marginal note:Assignment of right or interest

  (7) Notwithstanding the Indian Act or any instrument conferring a right or interest in reserve lands, if there are outstanding taxes payable pursuant to a law made under paragraph (1)(a) for more than two years, the first nation may assign the right or interest in accordance with the conditions and procedures prescribed by regulation.

• Marginal note:Judicial notice

  (8) In any proceedings, judicial notice may be taken of a local revenue law.

• Marginal note:Statutory Instruments Act

  (9) The Statutory Instruments Act does not apply in respect of local revenue laws or laws made under section 9.

Marginal note:Notice of proposed laws

• 6 (1) At least 30 days — or any longer period fixed by a standard made under subsection 35(1) — before making a law under paragraph 5(1)(a), (a.1) or (c), including a law repealing or amending such a law, other than a law referred to in subsection 10(1), the council of a first nation shall

  • (a) publish a notice of the proposed law in the First Nations Gazette;

  • (b) post the notice in a public place on the reserve lands of the first nation; and

  • (c) send the notice, by mail or electronic means, to the First Nations Tax Commission.

• Marginal note:Exemption

  (2) The First Nations Tax Commission may exempt a first nation from the requirements of subsection (1) in respect of an amendment of a law if the Commission considers that the amendment is not significant.

• Marginal note:Content of notice

  (3) A notice referred to in subsection (1) shall

  • (a) describe the proposed law;

  • (b) state where a copy of the proposed law may be obtained;

  • (c) invite representations regarding the proposed law to be made, in writing, to the council within the period referred to in subsection (1); and

  • (d) if the council is to review the proposed law at a public meeting, state the time and place of the meeting.

• Marginal note:Council to consider representations

  (4) Before making a law under paragraph 5(1)(a), (a.1) or (c), the council of a first nation shall consider any representations that were made in accordance with paragraph (3)(c) or at a meeting referred to in paragraph (3)(d).

Marginal note:Further representations

7 When the council of a first nation sends a property taxation law or a law made under paragraph 5(1)(c) to the First Nations Tax Commission for its approval, the council shall

• (a) provide a copy of the law to any persons who made representations under paragraph 6(3)(c); and

• (b) invite those persons to make written representations to the Commission within 30 days after the day on which they receive the copy of the law.

Marginal note:Information accompanying property taxation law

• 8 (1) A property taxation law — including an amendment of a property taxation law — shall, when submitted to the First Nations Tax Commission for approval, be accompanied by

  • (a) a description of the lands, interests or rights subject to the law;

  • (b) a description of the assessment practices to be applied to each class of land, interest or right;

  • (c) information regarding services to be provided from local revenues, existing service agreements and any service agreement negotiations under way at the time the law was made;

  • (d) a description of the notices that were given and any consultation undertaken by the council before making the law; and

  • (e) evidence that the law was duly made by the council.

• Marginal note:Exemption

  (2) The First Nations Tax Commission may exempt a first nation from the requirements of subsection (1) in respect of an amendment of a property taxation law if the Commission considers that the amendment is not significant.

• Marginal note:Accompanying information

  (3) A law made under paragraph 5(1)(a.1) or (c), when submitted to the First Nations Tax Commission for approval, shall be accompanied by

  • (a) a description of the notices that were given and any consultation undertaken by the council before making the law; and

  • (b) evidence that the law was duly made by the council.

• Marginal note:Evidence law duly made

  (4) A law made under any of paragraphs 5(1)(b) and (d) to (g) that is submitted to the First Nations Tax Commission for approval shall be accompanied by evidence that it was duly made by the council.

• Marginal note:Additional information on request

  (5) At the request of the First Nations Tax Commission, a first nation shall provide any documents that the Commission requires in order to

  • (a) review a local revenue law;

  • (b) determine that the law was made in accordance with this Act, the regulations or any standards made under subsection 35(1); or

  • (c) perform any of its other functions under this Act.

Marginal note:Financial administration laws

• 9 (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), the council of a first nation may make laws

  • (a) respecting the financial administration of the first nation; and

  • (b) delegating to any person or body its powers to make laws under paragraph (a).

• Marginal note:Approval required

  (2) A law made under subsection (1), including any amendment of such a law, does not have any force or effect until it is approved by the First Nations Financial Management Board.

• Marginal note:Conditions for approval

  (2.1) The First Nations Financial Management Board shall not approve a law made under subsection (1) unless it was made in accordance with this Act, the regulations and, in all material respects, any standards established under paragraph 55(1)(a).

• Marginal note:Coming into force

  (3) A law made under subsection (1) comes into force on the later of

  • (a) the day of coming into force set out in the law, and

  • (b) the day after it is approved by the First Nations Financial Management Board.

  • (c) [Repealed, 2015, c. 36, s. 181]

• Marginal note:Evidence law duly made

  (4) A law made under subsection (1) that is submitted to the First Nations Financial Management Board for approval shall be accompanied by evidence that it was duly made by the council.

• Marginal note:Additional information on request

  (5) At the request of the First Nations Financial Management Board, a first nation shall provide any documents that the Board requires in order to

  • (a) review a financial administration law submitted to the Board;

  • (b) determine that the law was made in accordance with this Act, the regulations or any standards made under subsection 55(1); or

  • (c) perform any of its other functions under this Act.

• Marginal note:Judicial notice

  (6) In any proceedings, judicial notice may be taken of a law that is made under subsection (1) and approved by the First Nations Financial Management Board under subsection (2).

Marginal note:Repeal of financial administration law

9.1 A borrowing member shall not repeal a financial administration law made under subsection 9(1) that has been approved by the First Nations Financial Management Board unless that law is replaced by another financial administration law that has been approved by the Board.

Marginal note:Law under paragraph 5(1)(a)

• 10 (1) A council of a first nation that makes a property taxation law that requires a rate of tax to be set annually shall also make a law under paragraph 5(1)(a) setting the rate of tax to be applied to the assessed value of each class of lands, interests or rights at least once each year on or before the date prescribed by regulation or, if none is so prescribed, on or before the date fixed by standards established under subsection 35(1).

• Marginal note:Law under paragraph 5(1)(b)

  (2) A council of a first nation that makes a property taxation law or that makes a law under paragraph 5(1)(a.1) shall also make a law under paragraph 5(1)(b) establishing a budget for the expenditure of local revenues at least once each year on or before the date prescribed by regulation or, if none is so prescribed, on or before the date fixed by standards established under subsection 35(1).

Marginal note:No repeal by borrowing members

• 11 (1) A borrowing member shall not repeal a property taxation law or a law made under paragraph 5(1)(a.1) unless

  • (a) the revenues raised under that law, if any, are not being used as security for financing obtained from the First Nations Finance Authority and the repeal of that law would not adversely affect the member’s obligations to the First Nations Finance Authority; or

  • (b) the law is concurrently replaced by a new law of the same nature that would not result in a reduction of the borrowing member’s borrowing capacity.

• Marginal note:Priority to Authority

  (2) A law made under paragraph 5(1)(b) by a borrowing member shall not authorize the expenditure of local revenues unless the borrowing member’s budget provides for the payment of all amounts payable to the First Nations Finance Authority during the budget period.

• Marginal note:Financial commitment

  (3) The borrowing member shall, in every year, reserve such local revenues as are required to ensure that all amounts authorized to be paid to the First Nations Finance Authority in the year are actually paid in that year.

Marginal note:Legal capacity of first nations

12 For greater certainty, for the purposes of Part 4, a borrowing member has the capacity to contract and to sue and be sued.

Marginal note:Local revenue account

• 13 (1) Local revenues of a first nation shall be placed in a local revenue account with a financial institution, separate from other moneys of the first nation.

• Marginal note:Restriction on expenditures

  (2) Local revenues may be expended only under the authority of a law made under paragraph 5(1)(b).

• Marginal note:Balanced budget

  (3) Expenditures provided for in a law made under paragraph 5(1)(b) shall not exceed the local revenues estimated for the year in which those expenditures are to be made, less any deficit accumulated from prior years.

Marginal note:Expenditure not authorized by law

13.1 Despite subsection 13(2), a first nation is authorized to make an expenditure of local revenues other than under the authority of a law made under paragraph 5(1)(b) in one of the following circumstances:

• (a) in the case where no law has already been made under that paragraph establishing a budget for the year in which that expenditure is made, the first nation, after making that expenditure, makes a law under that paragraph that authorizes the making of that expenditure; or

• (b) in the case where a law has already been made under that paragraph establishing a budget for the year in which that expenditure is made, the first nation is satisfied that the making of that expenditure constitutes an urgent measure and the first nation, as soon as feasible after making the expenditure, amends that law to authorize the making of that expenditure.

Marginal note:Local revenues

• 14 (1) Local revenues of a first nation shall be reported on and accounted for separately from other moneys of the first nation in compliance with the standards established under paragraph 55(1)(d).

• Marginal note:Audited reports

  (1.1) For the purposes of subsection (1), the first nation shall prepare a financial report on its local revenues that shall be audited at least once each year. However, if it is authorised by a standard established under paragraph 55(1)(d), the first nation may instead report on its local revenues in its audited annual financial statements as a distinct segment of the activities that appear in the statements.

• Marginal note:Access to report

  (2) The audited financial report or the audited annual financial statements, as the case may be, shall be made available to

  • (a) the members of the first nation;

  • (b) any other persons who have an interest in, or the right to occupy, possess or use, the first nation’s reserve lands;

  • (c) the First Nations Tax Commission, the First Nations Financial Management Board and the First Nations Finance Authority; and

  • (d) the Minister.

Marginal note:Non-application of certain provisions

15 Paragraphs 83(1)(a) and (b) to (g) and section 84 of the Indian Act do not apply to a first nation. In addition, any regulations made under paragraph 73(1)(m) of that Act do not apply to a first nation in respect of the borrowing of money under a law made under paragraph 5(1)(d).

PART 2First Nations Tax Commission

Interpretation

Marginal note:Definitions

16 The following definitions apply in this Part.

Commission

Commission means the First Nations Tax Commission. (Commission)

taxpayer

taxpayer means a person paying tax under a property taxation law. (contribuable)

Establishment and Organization of Commission

Marginal note:Commission

• 17 (1) There is hereby established a commission, to be known as the First Nations Tax Commission, consisting of 10 commissioners, including a Chief Commissioner and Deputy Chief Commissioner.

• Marginal note:Capacity, rights, powers and privileges

  (2) The Commission has the capacity, rights, powers and privileges of a natural person, including the capacity to

  • (a) enter into contracts;

  • (b) acquire, hold and dispose of property or an interest in property;

  • (c) raise, invest or borrow money; and

  • (d) sue and be sued.

Marginal note:When agent of Her Majesty

• 18 (1) The Commission is an agent of Her Majesty only for the approval of local revenue laws.

• Marginal note:Savings

  (2) For the purpose of subsection (1), the issuance of a certificate referred to in paragraph 32(2)(b) is deemed not to be an approval of a local revenue law.

Marginal note:Appointment of Chief Commissioner

• 19 (1) On the recommendation of the Minister, the Governor in Council shall appoint a Chief Commissioner and Deputy Chief Commissioner.

• Marginal note:Tenure

  (2) The Chief Commissioner and Deputy Chief Commissioner hold office during good behaviour for a term not exceeding five years, subject to removal by the Governor in Council at any time for cause.

Marginal note:Appointment of commissioners

• 20 (1) On the recommendation of the Minister, the Governor in Council shall appoint four commissioners to hold office during good behaviour for a term not exceeding five years, subject to removal by the Governor in Council at any time for cause.

• Marginal note:Appointment of commissioners

  (2) On the recommendation of the Minister, the Governor in Council shall appoint three additional commissioners — one of whom shall be a taxpayer using reserve lands for commercial, one for residential and one for utility purposes — to hold office during good behaviour for a term not exceeding five years, subject to removal by the Governor in Council at any time for cause.

• Marginal note:Appointment of additional commissioner

  (3) A body prescribed by regulation shall appoint an additional commissioner to hold office during pleasure for a term not exceeding five years.

• Marginal note:Staggered terms

  (4) In determining the term of appointment of commissioners, the Governor in Council shall endeavour to ensure that the terms of no more than three commissioners expire in any one calendar year.

• Marginal note:Qualifications

  (5) The Commission shall be composed of men and women from across Canada, including members of first nations, who are committed to the development of a system of first nations real property taxation and who have the experience or capacity to enable the Commission to fulfil its mandate.

Marginal note:Status

21 The Chief Commissioner shall hold office on a full-time basis, while the other commissioners shall hold office on a part-time basis.

Marginal note:Reappointment

22 A commissioner may be reappointed for a second or subsequent term of office.

Marginal note:Remuneration

• 23 (1) Commissioners shall be paid the remuneration determined by the Governor in Council.

• Marginal note:Expenses

  (2) The Chief Commissioner shall be reimbursed for reasonable travel and other expenses incurred in performing duties while absent from his or her ordinary place of work. Other Commissioners shall be reimbursed for such expenses incurred in performing duties while absent from their ordinary place of residence.

Marginal note:Chief Commissioner — functions

24 The Chief Commissioner is the chief executive officer of the Commission and has supervision over, and direction of, the work and staff of the Commission.

Marginal note:Deputy Chief Commissioner — functions

25 In the event of the absence or incapacity of the Chief Commissioner, or if the office of Chief Commissioner is vacant, the Deputy Chief Commissioner shall assume the duties and functions of the Chief Commissioner.

Marginal note:Head office

• 26 (1) The head office of the Commission shall be on the reserve lands of the Kamloops Band or at any other location that the Governor in Council determines.

• Marginal note:Additional office

  (2) The Commission shall maintain an additional office in the National Capital Region described in the schedule to the National Capital Act.

Marginal note:Rules of procedure

27 The Commission may make any rules that it considers necessary for the conduct of, and the fixing of a quorum for, its meetings.

Marginal note:Staff

• 28 (1) The Commission may

  • (a) hire any staff that is necessary to conduct the work of the Commission; and

  • (b) determine the duties of those persons and the conditions of their employment.

• Marginal note:Salaries and benefits

  (2) Persons hired under subsection (1) shall be paid the salaries and benefits fixed by the Commission.

Purposes

Marginal note:Mandate

29 The purposes of the Commission are to

• (a) ensure the integrity of the system of first nations real property taxation and promote a common approach to first nations real property taxation nationwide, having regard to variations in provincial real property taxation systems;

• (b) ensure that the real property taxation systems of first nations reconcile the interests of taxpayers with the responsibilities of chiefs and councils to govern the affairs of first nations;

• (c) prevent, or provide for the timely resolution of, disputes in relation to the application of local revenue laws;

• (d) assist first nations in the exercise of their jurisdiction over real property taxation on reserve lands and build capacity in first nations to administer their taxation systems;

• (e) develop training programs for first nation real property tax administrators;

• (f) assist first nations to achieve sustainable economic development through the generation of stable local revenues;

• (g) promote a transparent first nations real property taxation regime that provides certainty to taxpayers;

• (h) promote understanding of the real property taxation systems of first nations; and

• (i) provide advice to the Minister regarding future development of the framework within which local revenue laws are made.

Functions and Powers

Marginal note:Powers

30 In furtherance of the purposes set out in section 29, the Commission may enter into cooperative arrangements and shared-cost ventures with national and international organizations to consult on or sell products or services developed for first nations who have made property taxation laws.

Marginal note:Local revenue law review

• 31 (1) The Commission shall review every local revenue law.

• Marginal note:Written submissions

  (2) Before approving a local revenue law, the Commission shall consider, in accordance with any regulations made under paragraph 36(1)(b), any representations made to it under paragraph 7(b) in respect of the law by members of the first nation or others who have interests in the reserve lands of the first nation or rights to occupy, possess or use those lands.

• Marginal note:Local revenue law approval

  (3) Subject to section 32, the Commission shall approve a local revenue law that complies with this Act and with any standards and regulations made under this Act.

• Marginal note:Registry

  (4) The Commission shall maintain a registry of every law approved by it under this section and every financial administration law made under section 9.

Marginal note:Restrictions

• 32 (1) The Commission shall not approve a law made under paragraph 5(1)(d) for financing capital infrastructure for the provision of local services on reserve lands unless

  • (a) the first nation has obtained and forwarded to the Commission a certificate in respect of their financial performance, issued by the First Nations Financial Management Board under subsection 50(3); and

  • (b) the first nation has unutilized borrowing capacity.

• Marginal note:Copy and certificate

  (2) On approving a law made by a first nation under paragraph 5(1)(d) for financing capital infrastructure for the provision of local services on reserve lands, the Commission shall provide the First Nations Finance Authority with

  • (a) a true copy of the law registered under subsection 31(4); and

  • (b) a certificate stating that the law meets all the requirements of this Act and the regulations made under this Act.

• Marginal note:Notice of judicial review

  (3) If the Commission becomes aware that judicial review proceedings have been undertaken in respect of a law made by a first nation under paragraph 5(1)(d) for financing capital infrastructure for the provision of local services on reserve lands, the Commission shall without delay inform the First Nations Finance Authority of those proceedings.

• Marginal note:Certificate is evidence

  (4) A certificate referred to in paragraph (2)(b) is, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, conclusive evidence in any judicial proceedings of the facts contained in it.

Marginal note:Review on request

• 33 (1) On the request in writing by a member of a first nation, or by a person who holds an interest in reserve lands or has a right to occupy, possess or use the reserve lands, who

  • (a) is of the opinion that the first nation has not complied with this Part or Part 1 or with a regulation made under either Part or section 141 or 142 or that a law has been unfairly or improperly applied,

  • (b) has requested the council of the first nation to remedy the situation, and

  • (c) is of the opinion that the council has not remedied the situation,

  the Commission shall conduct a review of the matter in accordance with the regulations.

• Marginal note:Independent review

  (2) If the Commission is of the opinion that a first nation has not complied with this Part or Part 1 or with a regulation made under either Part or section 141 or 142 or that a law has been unfairly or improperly applied, it shall conduct a review of the matter in accordance with the regulations.

• Marginal note:Remedy

  (3) If, after conducting a review, the Commission considers that a first nation has not complied with this Part or Part 1 or with a regulation made under either Part or section 141 or 142 or that a law has been unfairly or improperly applied, the Commission

  • (a) shall order the first nation to remedy the situation; and

  • (b) may, if the first nation does not remedy the situation within the time set out in the order, by notice in writing, require the First Nations Financial Management Board to either — at the Board’s discretion — impose a co-management arrangement on the first nation or assume third-party management of the first nation’s local revenues to remedy the situation.

Marginal note:First Nations Gazette

• 34 (1) All local revenue laws approved by the Commission and all standards and procedures established by the Commission under section 35 shall be published in the First Nations Gazette.

• Marginal note:Frequency of publication

  (2) The Commission shall publish the First Nations Gazette at least once in each calendar year.

Standards and Procedures

Marginal note:Standards

• 35 (1) The Commission may establish standards, not inconsistent with the regulations, respecting

  • (a) the form and content of local revenue laws;

  • (b) enforcement procedures to be included in those laws;

  • (c) criteria for the approval of laws made under paragraph 5(1)(d);

  • (c.1) notices relating to local revenue laws, including any minimum periods applicable to the notices;

  • (d) the form in which information required under section 8 is to be provided to the Commission; and

  • (e) the dates on or before which laws must be made by a council of a first nation under section 10.

• Marginal note:Procedures

  (2) The Commission may establish procedures respecting

  • (a) submission for approval of local revenue laws;

  • (b) approval of those laws;

  • (c) representation of taxpayers’ interests in the decisions of the Commission; and

  • (d) resolution of disputes with first nations concerning the taxation of rights and interests on reserve lands.

• Marginal note:Statutory Instruments Act

  (3) The Statutory Instruments Act does not apply to a standard established under subsection (1) or a procedure established under subsection (2).

Regulations

Marginal note:Regulations

• 36 (1) The Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the Minister made having regard to any representations by the Commission, make regulations

  • (a) prescribing anything that is to be prescribed under subparagraph 5(1)(a)(i), paragraph 5(1)(e) or (4)(a), subsection 5(7) or section 10;

  • (b) establishing procedures to be followed for the purposes of section 31 or 33, including procedures

    • (i) for requiring the production of documents from a first nation or person requesting a review under subsection 33(1),

    • (ii) for conducting hearings, and

    • (iii) authorizing the Commission to apply to a justice of the peace for a subpoena compelling a person to appear before the Commission to give evidence and bring any documents specified in the subpoena, and to pay associated travel expenses;

  • (c) prescribing fees to be charged by the Commission for services to first nations and other organizations; and

  • (d) respecting the exercise of the law-making powers of first nations under subsection 5(1).

• Marginal note:Provincial differences

  (2) Regulations made under paragraph (1)(a) may vary from province to province.

• Marginal note:Authority to vary

  (3) Regulations made under paragraph (1)(b) may authorize the Commission to

  • (a) vary the procedures to accommodate the customs or culture of a first nation in respect of which a hearing is being held;

  • (b) extend or shorten any period provided for in those regulations;

  • (c) dispense with compliance with any procedure provided for in the regulations in the interest of securing a just, expeditious and inexpensive hearing of a complaint; and

  • (d) delegate any of the powers of the Commission under section 31 or 33 to a panel consisting of one or more commissioners.

• Marginal note:Designation of panels by Chief Commissioner

  (3.1) Regulations made under paragraph (1)(b) may authorize or require the Chief Commissioner to designate the members of a panel for the purposes of the delegation of powers referred to in paragraph (3)(d).

• Marginal note:Inconsistencies

  (4) In the event of an inconsistency between a law made under subsection 5(1) and regulations made under subsection (1), the regulations prevail to the extent of the inconsistency.

PART 3First Nations Financial Management Board

Interpretation

Definition of Board

37 In this Part, Board means the First Nations Financial Management Board.

Establishment and Organization of Board

Marginal note:Establishment

• 38 (1) There is established a board, to be known as the First Nations Financial Management Board, to be managed by a board of directors consisting of a minimum of nine and a maximum of 13 directors, including a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson.

• Marginal note:Capacity, rights, powers and privileges

  (2) The Board has the capacity, rights, powers and privileges of a natural person, including the capacity to

  • (a) enter into contracts;

  • (b) acquire, hold and dispose of property or an interest in property;

  • (c) raise, invest or borrow money; and

  • (d) sue and be sued.

Marginal note:Not agent of Her Majesty

39 The Board is not an agent of Her Majesty.

Marginal note:Appointment of Chairperson

40 On the recommendation of the Minister, the Governor in Council shall appoint a Chairperson to hold office during good behaviour for a term not exceeding five years, subject to removal by the Governor in Council at any time for cause.

Marginal note:Appointment of additional directors

• 41 (1) The Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister, shall appoint a minimum of five, and a maximum of nine, other directors to hold office during good behaviour for a term not exceeding five years, subject to removal by the Governor in Council at any time for cause.

• Marginal note:Appointment by AFOA

  (2) The Aboriginal Financial Officers Association of Canada, or any other body prescribed by regulation, shall appoint up to three additional directors to hold office during pleasure for a term not exceeding five years.

• Marginal note:Staggered terms

  (3) In determining the term of appointment of directors, the Governor in Council shall endeavour to ensure that the terms of no more than three directors expire in any one calendar year.

• Marginal note:Qualifications

  (4) The board of directors shall be composed of men and women from across Canada, including members of first nations, who are committed to the strengthening of first nation financial management and who have the experience or capacity to enable the Board to fulfil its mandate.

Marginal note:Election of Vice-Chairperson

• 42 (1) The board of directors shall elect a Vice-Chairperson from among the directors.

• Marginal note:Functions

  (2) In the event of the absence or incapacity of the Chairperson, or if the office of Chairperson is vacant, the Vice-Chairperson shall assume the duties and functions of the Chairperson.

Marginal note:Reappointment

43 Directors may be reappointed for a second or subsequent term of office.

Marginal note:Status

44 Directors shall hold office on a part-time basis.

Marginal note:Remuneration

• 45 (1) Directors shall be paid the remuneration determined by the Governor in Council.

• Marginal note:Expenses

  (2) Directors shall be reimbursed for reasonable travel and other expenses incurred in performing duties while absent from their ordinary place of residence.

Marginal note:Rules of procedure

46 The board of directors may make any rules that it considers necessary for the conduct of its meetings.

Marginal note:Head office

47 The head office of the Board shall be at a location determined by the Governor in Council.

Marginal note:Staff

• 48 (1) The board of directors may

  • (a) hire any staff that is necessary to conduct the work of the Board; and

  • (b) determine the duties of those persons and the conditions of their employment.

• Marginal note:Salaries and benefits

  (2) Persons hired under subsection (1) shall be paid the salary and benefits fixed by the board of directors.

Purposes

Marginal note:Mandate

49 The purposes of the Board are to

• (a) assist first nations in developing the capacity to meet their financial management requirements;

• (b) assist first nations in their dealings with other governments respecting financial management, including matters of accountability and shared fiscal responsibility;

• (c) assist first nations in the development, implementation and improvement of financial relationships with financial institutions, business partners and other governments, to enable the economic and social development of first nations;

• (d) develop and support the application of general credit rating criteria to first nations;

• (e) provide review and audit services respecting first nation financial management;

• (f) provide assessment and certification services respecting first nation financial management and financial performance;

• (g) provide financial monitoring services respecting first nation financial management and financial performance;

• (h) provide co-management and third-party management services; and

• (i) provide advice, policy research and review and evaluative services on the development of fiscal arrangements between first nations’ governments and other governments.

Functions and Powers

Marginal note:Review of financial management system

• 50 (1) On the request of the council of a first nation, the Board may review the first nation’s financial management system or financial performance for compliance with the standards established under subsection 55(1).

• Marginal note:Report

  (2) On completion of a review under subsection (1), the Board shall provide to the first nation a report setting out

  • (a) the scope of the review undertaken; and

  • (b) an opinion as to whether the first nation was in compliance with the standards or as to which aspects of the standards were not complied with by the first nation.

• Marginal note:Issuance of certificate

  (3) If after completing a review under subsection (1) the Board is of the opinion that the first nation was in compliance, in all material respects, with the standards, it shall issue to the first nation a certificate to that effect.

• Marginal note:Revocation of certificate

  (4) The Board may, on giving notice to a council, revoke a certificate issued under subsection (3) if, on the basis of financial or other information available to the Board, it is of the opinion that

  • (a) the basis on which the certificate was issued has materially changed;

  • (b) the first nation provided information that is incomplete or incorrect or made misrepresentations to the Board; or

  • (c) the first nation is no longer in compliance, in all material respects, with the standards.

• Marginal note:Form and content

  (5) The Board may determine the form and content of certificates issued under subsection (3), including any restrictions as to the purposes for which, and the persons by whom, they are intended to be used.

• Marginal note:Remedial measures required

  (6) If a borrowing member’s certificate is revoked, the borrowing member shall, without delay, take any measures required to re-establish its certification.

• Marginal note:Opinion final

  (7) An opinion of the Board referred to in this section is final and conclusive and is not subject to appeal.

Marginal note:Required intervention

51 On receipt of a notice from the First Nations Tax Commission under paragraph 33(3)(b) or from the First Nations Finance Authority under subsection 86(4), the Board shall either require the first nation to enter into a co-management arrangement in accordance with section 52 or assume third-party management of the first nation’s local revenues in accordance with section 53, as the Board sees fit.

Marginal note:Imposed co-management

• 52 (1) The Board may, on giving notice to the council of a first nation, require the first nation to enter into a co-management arrangement in respect of the first nation’s local revenues, including its local revenue account,

  • (a) if, in the opinion of the Board, there is a serious risk that the first nation will default on an obligation to the First Nations Finance Authority; or

  • (b) on receipt of a request or demand to do so under paragraph 33(3)(b) or subsection 86(4).

• Marginal note:Powers

  (2) Under a co-management arrangement, the Board may

  • (a) recommend amendments to a law of the first nation made under this Act;

  • (b) recommend changes to the first nation’s expenditures or budgets;

  • (c) recommend improvements to the first nation’s financial management system;

  • (d) recommend changes to the delivery of programs and services;

  • (e) order that expenditures of local revenues of the first nation be approved by, or paid with cheques co-signed by, a manager appointed by the Board; and

  • (f) exercise any powers delegated to the Board under a law of the first nation or under an agreement between the first nation and the Board or the first nation and the First Nations Finance Authority.

• Marginal note:Termination by Board

  (3) The Board may terminate a co-management arrangement with a first nation on giving notice to its council that the Board is of the opinion that

  • (a) there is no longer a serious risk that the first nation will default on an obligation to the First Nations Finance Authority;

  • (b) where the first nation was in default of a payment obligation to the First Nations Finance Authority, the first nation has remedied the default;

  • (c) a co-management arrangement requested or demanded under paragraph 33(3)(b) or subsection 86(4) is no longer required; or

  • (d) third-party management of the first nation’s local revenues is required.

• Marginal note:Opinion final

  (4) An opinion given by the Board under this section is final and conclusive and is not subject to appeal.

• Marginal note:Notice

  (5) The Board shall advise the First Nations Finance Authority and the First Nations Tax Commission of the commencement or termination of a co-management arrangement.

Marginal note:Third-party management

• 53 (1) The Board may, on giving notice to the council of a first nation and to the Minister, assume management of the first nation’s local revenues, including its local revenue account,

  • (a) if, in the opinion of the Board, a co-management arrangement under section 52 has not been effective;

  • (b) if, in the opinion of the Board, there is a serious risk that the first nation will default on an obligation to the First Nations Finance Authority; or

  • (c) on receipt of a request or demand to do so under paragraph 33(3)(b) or subsection 86(4).

• Marginal note:Powers

  (2) If the Board assumes third-party management of the local revenues of a first nation, the Board has the exclusive right to

  • (a) subject to subsection (3), act in the place of the council of the first nation to make laws under paragraphs 5(1)(a) to (f) and subsection 9(1);

  • (b) act in the place of the council of the first nation under laws made under paragraphs 5(1)(a) to (e) and manage the first nation’s local revenue account, including any necessary borrowing;

  • (b.1) act in the place of the council of the first nation to fulfil any of the powers and obligations of the council under any property taxation law and under this Act;

  • (c) provide for the delivery of programs and services that are paid for out of local revenues;

  • (d) assign rights or interests under subsection 5(7); and

  • (e) exercise any powers delegated to the Board under a law of the first nation or an agreement between the first nation and the Board or between the first nation and the First Nations Finance Authority.

• Marginal note:Delegation — consent of council required

  (3) The Board shall not make a law under paragraph 5(1)(f) or 9(1)(b) that delegates a power to a person or body to whom a power was not delegated at the time the Board assumed third-party management of the local revenues of a first nation, unless the council of the first nation gives its consent.

• Marginal note:Prohibition

  (4) The council of the first nation shall not, during the time that the board assumes third-party management of the first nation’s local revenues, repeal any law made under paragraph 5(1)(g).

• Marginal note:Review every six months

  (5) Where the Board has assumed third-party management of a first nation’s local revenues, it shall review the need for third-party management at least once every six months and advise the First Nations Finance Authority, the First Nations Tax Commission and the council of the first nation of the results of its review.

• Marginal note:Termination by Board

  (6) The Board may terminate third-party management of a first nation’s local revenues, on giving notice to the council of the first nation, if

  • (a) it is of the opinion that there is no longer a serious risk that the first nation will default on an obligation to the First Nations Finance Authority and the Authority consents to the termination in writing;

  • (b) where the first nation was in default of an obligation to the First Nations Finance Authority, it is of the opinion that the first nation has remedied the default and the Authority consents to the termination in writing; or

  • (c) it is of the opinion that the situation for which third-party management of the first nation’s local revenues was required under paragraph 33(3)(b) or subsection 86(4) has been remedied.

• Marginal note:Opinion final

  (7) An opinion given by the Board under this section is final and conclusive and is not subject to appeal.

• Marginal note:Notice

  (8) The Board shall advise the First Nations Finance Authority and First Nations Tax Commission of the assumption or termination of third-party management of a first nation’s local revenues.

Marginal note:Required information

54 At the request of the Board, a first nation that has made a local revenue law shall provide to the Board any information about the first nation’s financial management system and financial performance that the Board requires for a decision regarding a co-management arrangement or third-party management of the first nation’s local revenues.

Standards and Procedures

Marginal note:Standards

• 55 (1) The Board may establish standards, not inconsistent with the regulations, respecting

  • (a) the form and content of laws made under section 9;

  • (b) approvals of the Board under Part 1;

  • (c) certification of first nations under section 50; and

  • (d) financial reporting under subsection 14(1).

• Marginal note:Procedures

  (2) The Board may establish procedures respecting

  • (a) the submission for approval and approval of laws made under section 9;

  • (b) the issuance of a certificate under subsection 50(3); and

  • (c) the implementation or termination of a co-management arrangement or third-party management of a first nation’s local revenues.

• Marginal note:Statutory Instruments Act

  (3) The Statutory Instruments Act does not apply to a standard established under subsection (1) or a procedure established under subsection (2).

• Marginal note:First Nations Gazette

  (4) All laws made under section 9 and approved by the Board and all standards established by the Board under subsection (1) shall be published in the First Nations Gazette.

Regulations

Marginal note:Regulations

56 The Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the Minister made having regard to any representations by the Board, make regulations

• (a) respecting the implementation of a co-management arrangement or third-party management of a first nation’s local revenues, including the obligations of affected first nations to provide access to financial records; and

• (b) fixing fees that the Board may charge for services, including fees to first nations for co-management and third-party management services, and the manner in which the fees may be recovered.

PART 4First Nations Finance Authority

Interpretation

Marginal note:Definitions

57 The following definitions apply in this Part.

Authority

Authority means the First Nations Finance Authority. (Administration)

investing member

investing member means a first nation that has invested in a short-term investment pool managed by the Authority. (membre investisseur)

long-term loan

long-term loan means a loan the term of which is one year or longer. (prêt à long terme)

member

member means a borrowing member or investing member. (membre)

property tax revenues

property tax revenues means moneys raised under laws made under paragraphs 5(1)(a) and (a.1) and payments made to a first nation in lieu of a tax imposed by a law made under paragraph 5(1)(a). (recettes fiscales foncières)

representative

representative, in respect of a first nation that is a member, means the chief or a councillor of the first nation who is designated as a representative by a resolution of its council. (représentant)

security

security means a security of the Authority issued under paragraph 75(1)(b). (titre)

short-term loan

short-term loan means a loan the term of which is less than one year. (prêt à court terme)

Establishment and Organization of Authority

Marginal note:Establishment

58 There is hereby established a non-profit corporation without share capital, to be known as the First Nations Finance Authority.

Marginal note:Membership

59 The members of the Authority shall be its borrowing members and investing members.

Marginal note:Not agent of Her Majesty

• 60 (1) The Authority is not an agent of Her Majesty or a Crown corporation within the meaning of the Financial Administration Act, and its officers and employees are not part of the federal public administration.

• Marginal note:No guarantees

  (2) No person shall give a guarantee on behalf of Her Majesty for the discharge of an obligation or liability of the Authority.

Marginal note:Board of Directors

• 61 (1) The Authority shall be managed by a board of directors, consisting of from 5 to 11 directors, including a Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson.

• Marginal note:Nomination of directors

  (2) A representative of a borrowing member may nominate

  • (a) a representative of a borrowing member for election as Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson; and

  • (b) any representative for election as a director other than the Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson.

• Marginal note:Election of directors

  (3) Directors shall be elected by representatives of borrowing members.

Marginal note:Function of Deputy Chairperson

62 In the event of the absence or incapacity of the Chairperson, or if the office of Chairperson is vacant, the Deputy Chairperson shall assume the duties and functions of the Chairperson.

Marginal note:Term of office

• 63 (1) Directors shall hold office on a part-time basis for a term of one year.

• Marginal note:Additional terms

  (2) A director is eligible to be re-elected for a second or subsequent term of office.

• Marginal note:Ceasing to be director

  (3) A person ceases to be a director when

  • (a) the person ceases to hold office as a chief or councillor of a first nation that is a borrowing member or investing member;

  • (b) the person’s designation as a representative of a borrowing member or investing member is revoked by a resolution of the council of that first nation; or

  • (c) the person is removed from office before the expiry of the term of the appointment by a special resolution of the board of directors.

Marginal note:Quorum

64 Two thirds of the directors constitute a quorum at any meeting of the board of directors.

Marginal note:Majority vote

65 Decisions by the board of directors shall be made by a majority vote of the directors present.

Marginal note:Acts not applicable to Authority

• 66 (1) The Canada Corporations Act, chapter C-32 of the Revised Statutes of Canada, 1970, and the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act do not apply to the Authority.

• Marginal note:Canada Business Corporations Act

  (2) The following provisions of the Canada Business Corporations Act apply, with any modifications that the circumstances require, to the Authority and its directors, members, officers and employees as if the Authority were a corporation incorporated under that Act, this Part were its articles of incorporation and its members were its shareholders:

  • (a) subsection 15(1) (capacity of a natural person);

  • (b) section 16 (by-law not required to confer powers on Authority, restriction on powers of Authority, and validity of acts of Authority);

  • (c) subsection 21(1) (access to Authority’s records by members and creditors);

  • (d) section 23 (corporate seal not needed to validate instrument);

  • (e) subsections 103(1) to (4) (powers of directors to make and amend by-laws, member approval of by-laws and effective date of by-laws);

  • (f) subsection 105(1) (qualifications of directors);

  • (g) subsection 108(2) (resignation of director);

  • (h) section 110 (right of director to attend members’ meetings and statements by retiring directors);

  • (i) subsection 114(1) (place of directors’ meetings);

  • (j) section 116 (validity of acts of directors and officers);

  • (k) section 117 (validity of directors’ resolutions not passed at meeting);

  • (l) subsections 119(1) and (4) (liability of directors);

  • (m) section 120 (conflict of interests of directors);

  • (n) section 123 (directors’ dissents);

  • (o) section 124 (directors’ indemnity);

  • (p) section 155 (financial statements);

  • (q) section 158 (approval of financial statements by directors);

  • (r) section 159 (sending financial statements to members before annual meeting);

  • (s) sections 161 and 162 (qualifications and appointment of auditor);

  • (t) section 168 (rights and duties of auditor);

  • (u) section 169 (examination by auditor);

  • (v) section 170 (auditor’s right to information);

  • (w) subsections 171(3) to (9) (duty and administration of audit committee and penalty for failure to comply);

  • (x) section 172 (qualified privilege in defamation for auditor’s statements); and

  • (y) subsections 257(1) and (2) (certificates of Authority as evidence).

Marginal note:Remuneration of directors

67 Directors shall be paid a fee for attend­ance at meetings of the board of directors, as fixed by the by-laws of the Authority.

Marginal note:Duty of care

• 68 (1) The directors and officers of the Authority in exercising their powers and performing their duties shall

  • (a) act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Authority; and

  • (b) exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances.

• Marginal note:Limit of liability

  (2) Directors and officers are not liable for a failure to comply with subsection (1) if they rely in good faith on

  • (a) a written report of the auditor of the Authority or financial statements represented by an officer of the Authority as fairly reflecting the financial condition of the Authority; or

  • (b) a report of a lawyer, notary, accountant, engineer, appraiser or other person whose position or profession lends credibility to a statement made by that person.

Marginal note:President

• 69 (1) The board of directors shall appoint a President to act as the chief executive officer of the Authority.

• Marginal note:Other staff

  (2) The President may employ any other officers and employees that are necessary to conduct the work of the Authority.

Marginal note:Annual general meeting

70 The Authority shall hold an annual general meeting of representatives for the purpose of

• (a) presenting the annual report and audited financial statements of the Authority;

• (b) electing the board of directors; and

• (c) dealing with any other business of the Authority that may be presented by the board of directors.

Marginal note:By-laws

71 The board of directors may make by-laws

• (a) respecting the calling and conduct of meetings of the board, including the holding of meetings by teleconference;

• (b) fixing the fees to be paid to directors for attendance at meetings of the board and the reimbursement of reasonable travel and living expenses to directors;

• (c) respecting the duties and conduct of the directors, officers and employees of the Authority and the terms and conditions of employment and of the termination of employment of officers and employees of the Authority;

• (d) respecting the signing and sealing of securities and interest coupons issued by the Authority; and

• (e) generally for the conduct and management of the affairs of the Authority.

Marginal note:Head office

72 The head office of the Authority shall be on reserve lands at a location determined by the board of directors.

Marginal note:Annual budget

73 At the beginning of every year, the President shall prepare an annual budget of the Authority and present it to the board of directors for approval.

Purposes

Marginal note:Mandate

74 The purposes of the Authority are to

• (a) secure for its borrowing members, through the use of property tax revenues,

  • (i) long-term financing of capital infrastructure for the provision of local services on reserve lands,

  • (ii) lease financing of capital assets for the provision of local services on reserve lands, or

  • (iii) short-term financing to meet cash-flow requirements for operating or capital purposes under a law made under paragraph 5(1)(b), or to refinance a short-term debt incurred for capital purposes;

• (b) secure for its borrowing members, through the use of other revenues prescribed by regulation, financing for any purpose prescribed by regulation;

• (c) secure the best possible credit terms for its borrowing members;

• (d) provide investment services to its members and first nations organizations; and

• (e) provide advice regarding the development of long-term financing mechanisms for first nations.

Functions and Powers

Marginal note:Powers of board of directors

• 75 (1) For the purposes of this Part, the board of directors may by resolution

  • (a) borrow money in an amount authorized by the resolution;

  • (b) issue securities of the Authority;

  • (c) lend securities to generate income, if the loan is fully secured;

  • (d) enter into agreements for risk management purposes, including swaps; and

  • (e) provide for

    • (i) payments related to the issuance of securities,

    • (ii) the registration, transfer, management and redemption of securities,

    • (iii) the re-issuance, reinstatement or other disposition of lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged securities or interest coupons,

    • (iv) the examination, cancellation or destruction of securities and of materials used in their production, or

    • (v) the timing of the issuance of securities.

• Marginal note:Security issuance requirements

  (2) A resolution respecting the issuance of securities shall set out

  • (a) the rate of interest;

  • (b) the time and place of repayment of principal and interest; and

  • (c) the currency in which repayment of principal and interest will be made.

• Marginal note:Security issuance resolutions

  (3) A resolution respecting the issuance of securities may provide that

  • (a) the securities are to be redeemable in advance of maturity at a time and price set out in the resolution;

  • (b) all or any part of the securities may be paid, refunded or renewed;

  • (c) the securities are to be issued in an amount sufficient to realize the amount of any securities called in and paid before maturity, for a term not longer than the remainder of the term of the securities called in and paid; or

  • (d) the securities and any interest coupons attached to them are to be in the form set out in the resolution, and are to be exchangeable for other securities of the same issue on any terms and conditions set out in the resolution.

• Marginal note:Amount of issue

  (4) The Authority may issue securities the principal amounts of which, after payment of any discount and the costs of issue and sale, will realize the net amount authorized by the board of directors in a resolution made under paragraph (1)(a).

• Marginal note:Declaration conclusive

  (5) A declaration in a resolution authorizing the issuance of securities that it is necessary to issue securities in the principal amount authorized in order to realize the net amount authorized is conclusive evidence of that fact.

• Marginal note:Sale price

  (6) The board of directors may sell securities at their par value or at other than par value.

• Marginal note:Delegation

  (7) The board of directors may delegate its powers under this section to a committee of directors and officers of the Authority, subject to any limitations that the board of directors may impose.

Marginal note:Application to become borrowing member

• 76 (1) A first nation may apply to the Authority to become a borrowing member.

• Marginal note:Criteria

  (2) The Authority shall accept a first nation as a borrowing member only if the First Nations Financial Management Board has issued to the first nation a certificate in respect of their financial performance under subsection 50(3) and has not subsequently revoked it.

Marginal note:Ceasing to be borrowing member

• 77 (1) A first nation that has obtained financing secured by property tax revenues may cease to be a borrowing member only with the consent of all other borrowing members that have obtained financing secured by such revenues.

• Marginal note:Ceasing to be borrowing member

  (2) A first nation that has obtained financing secured by other revenues may cease to be a borrowing member only with the consent of all other borrowing members that have obtained financing secured by such other revenues.

Marginal note:Priority

• 78 (1) If a first nation is insolvent, the Authority has priority over all other creditors of the first nation for any moneys that are authorized to be paid to the Authority under a law made under paragraph 5(1)(b) or (d), under an agreement governing a secured revenues trust account or under the Act, but the priority is only in respect of any debt that arises on or after the date on which the first nation receives the initial disbursement of the first loan that it obtained from the Authority.

• Marginal note:Debts to the Crown

  (2) For greater certainty, subsection (1) does not apply to Her Majesty.

Marginal note:Limitations — infrastructure loans

79 The Authority shall not make a long-term loan to a borrowing member for the purpose of financing capital infrastructure for the provision of local services on reserve lands unless the First Nations Tax Commission has approved a law made by the borrowing member under paragraph 5(1)(d).

Marginal note:Restriction

80 A borrowing member that has obtained a long-term loan secured by property tax revenues from the Authority shall not subsequently obtain a long-term loan secured by property tax revenues from any other person.

Marginal note:Limitations — short-term loans

81 The Authority shall not make a short-term loan to a borrowing member for a purpose described in subparagraph 74(a)(iii) unless the loan is made in anticipation of local revenues of the borrowing member set out in a law made under paragraph 5(1)(b).

Marginal note:Sinking fund

• 82 (1) The Authority shall establish a sinking fund, or any other system of repayment prescribed by regulation, to fulfil its repayment obligations to the holders of each security issued by the Authority.

• Marginal note:Separate accounts

  (2) Where a sinking fund is established, a separate sinking fund account shall be kept for each borrowing member participating in a security issued by the Authority.

• Marginal note:Sinking fund investments

  (3) Funds in a sinking fund may be invested only in

  • (a) securities issued or guaranteed by Canada or a province;

  • (b) securities of a local, municipal or region­al government in Canada;

  • (b.1) securities of the Authority or of a municipal finance authority established by a province, if the day on which they mature is not later than the day on which the security for which the sinking fund is established matures;

  • (c) investments guaranteed by a bank, trust company or credit union; or

  • (d) deposits in a bank or trust company in Canada or non-equity or membership shares in a credit union.

Marginal note:Surpluses

• 83 (1) The Authority may declare a surplus in a sinking fund and use the surplus, in order of priority, to

  • (a) replenish any amounts paid out of the debt reserve fund; and

  • (b) make a distribution to borrowing members who are participating in that fund.

• Marginal note:Recovery from sinking fund

  (2) The Authority may recover fees payable by a borrowing member from any surplus to be distributed to that member under paragraph (1)(b).

Marginal note:Debt reserve fund

• 84 (1) The Authority shall establish, to make payments or sinking fund contributions for which insufficient moneys are available from borrowing members,

  • (a) a debt reserve fund solely for financing secured by property tax revenues; and

  • (b) a debt reserve fund solely for financing secured by other revenues.

• Marginal note:Provisioning of fund

  (2) Subject to a regulation that fixes different percentages for the purposes of this subsection, the Authority shall withhold 5% of the amount of any long-term loan to a borrowing member that is secured by property tax revenues and of any loan to a borrowing member that is secured by other revenues, regardless of the length of its term, and deposit that amount in the corresponding debt reserve fund.

• Marginal note:Percentage withheld may be reduced by board

  (2.1) However, the board of directors may, by resolution, reduce the percentage to be withheld from a loan under subsection (2) to a percentage that is not less than 1%, if the board of directors is satisfied that doing so would not have a negative impact on the Authority’s credit rating and the regulations do not fix a different percentage.

• Marginal note:Separate account

  (3) A separate account shall be kept for each security issued and for each borrowing member contributing to a debt reserve fund.

• Marginal note:Investments

  (4) The funds of a debt reserve fund may be invested only in securities, investments or deposits referred to in paragraph 82(3)(a), (c) or (d) that mature or are callable within five years, 25% of which must be callable within 90 days.

• Marginal note:Liability for shortfall

  (5) If payments from a debt reserve fund reduce its balance

  • (a) by less than 50% of the total amount contributed by borrowing members who have obtained financing for which that debt reserve fund was established, the Authority may, in accordance with the regulations, require those borrowing members to pay amounts sufficient to replenish the debt reserve fund; and

  • (b) by 50% or more of the total amount contributed by borrowing members who have obtained financing for which that debt reserve fund was established,

    • (i) the Authority shall, in accordance with the regulations, require those borrowing members to pay without delay amounts sufficient to replenish the debt reserve fund, and

    • (ii) in the case of a debt reserve fund described in paragraph (1)(a), those borrowing members shall recover those amounts under their property taxation laws.

• Marginal note:Repayment

  (6) Money contributed by a borrowing member to a debt reserve fund, and any investment income received on it, that has not already been repaid to the borrowing member by the Authority shall be repaid when all obligations in respect of the security in respect of which the money was contributed have been satisfied.

Marginal note:Credit enhancement fund

• 85 (1) The Authority shall establish a fund for the enhancement of the Authority’s credit rating.

• Marginal note:Investments

  (2) The funds of the credit enhancement fund may be invested only in securities, investments or deposits referred to in paragraph 82(3)(a), (c) or (d) that mature or are callable within five years, 25% of which must be callable within 90 days.

• Marginal note:Investment income

  (3) Investment income from the credit enhancement fund may be used

  • (a) to temporarily offset any shortfalls in the debt reserve fund;

  • (b) to defray the Authority’s costs of operation; and

  • (c) for any other purpose prescribed by regulation.

• Marginal note:Capital

  (4) The capital of the credit enhancement fund may be used

  • (a) to temporarily offset any shortfalls in the debt reserve fund; and

  • (b) for any other purpose prescribed by regulation.

• Marginal note:Repayment to credit enhancement fund

  (5) Any funds that are paid from the credit enhancement fund to offset a shortfall in the debt reserve fund shall be repaid by that debt reserve fund within 18 months after the day on which the funds are paid or, if more than one payment of funds is made, within 18 months after the day on which the first payment is made. After the expiry of that 18-month period, no further funds shall be paid from the credit enhancement fund to that debt reserve fund unless it has been fully replenished under section 84.

Marginal note:Default by first nation

• 86 (1) If a borrowing member fails to make a payment to the Authority, to fulfil any other obligation under a borrowing agreement with the Authority or to pay a charge imposed by the Authority under this Part, the Authority shall

  • (a) notify the borrowing member of the failure; and

  • (b) send a notice of the failure to the First Nations Financial Management Board and the First Nations Tax Commission, together with evidence of the failure and a copy of any relevant documents and records.

• Marginal note:Requirement for report

  (2) If a failure referred to in subsection (1) relates to an obligation other than payment, the Authority may require that the First Nations Financial Management Board review and report on the reasons for the failure.

• Marginal note:Report

  (3) On receipt of a notice referred to in paragraph (1)(b) in respect of a failure related to an obligation other than payment, the First Nations Financial Management Board shall advise the Authority in writing of its opinion on the reasons for the failure and recommend any intervention under section 52 or 53 that it considers appropriate.

• Marginal note:Required intervention

  (4) The Authority may, by notice in writing, require the First Nations Financial Management Board to either — at the Board’s discretion — impose a co-management arrangement on a borrowing member or assume third-party management of the first nation’s local revenues

  • (a) where the borrowing member fails to make a payment to the Authority under a borrowing agreement with the Authority, or to pay a charge imposed by the Authority under this Part; or

  • (b) on receipt of a report of the Board under subsection (3) in respect of the borrowing member.

Marginal note:Short-term pooled investment funds

• 87 (1) The Authority may establish short-term pooled investment funds.

• Marginal note:Investments

  (2) Funds in a short-term pooled investment fund may be invested only in

  • (a) securities issued or guaranteed by Canada, a province or the United States;

  • (b) fixed-term deposits, notes, certificates or other short-term paper of, or guaranteed by, a bank, trust company or credit union, including swaps in United States currency;

  • (c) securities issued by the Authority or by a local, municipal or regional government in Canada;

  • (d) commercial paper issued by a Canadian company that is rated in the highest category by at least two recognized security-rating institutions;

  • (e) any class of investments permitted under an Act of a province relating to trustees; or

  • (f) any other investments or class of investments prescribed by regulation.

General

Marginal note:Annual report

• 88 (1) The Chairperson shall, within four months after the end of each fiscal year, submit to the Authority’s members and the Minister a report of the operations of the Authority for that fiscal year.

• Marginal note:Contents

  (2) The annual report shall include the financial statements of the Authority and its auditor’s opinion on them.

Regulations

Marginal note:Regulations

89 The Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the Minister after consultation by the Minister with the Authority, make regulations

• (a) prescribing anything that is to be prescribed under subsection 82(1) and paragraphs 85(3)(c) and (4)(b) and 87(2)(f);

• (b) fixing a percentage in respect of an amount to be withheld from a loan under subsection 84(2), which may be a higher or lower percentage than the percentage set out in that subsection and may vary according to whether the loan is secured by property tax revenues or by other revenues;

• (c) respecting the imposition of charges under subsection 84(5), including the manner of calculating those charges and the share of those charges to be paid by each borrowing member; and

• (d) extending the application of this Part to any non-profit organization established to provide social welfare, housing, recreational or cultural services to first nations or their members on reserve lands and making any adaptations to the provisions of this Act that are necessary for that purpose.

PART 5[Repealed, 2012, c. 19, s. 660]

90 [Repealed, 2012, c. 19, s. 660]

91 [Repealed, 2012, c. 19, s. 660]

92 [Repealed, 2012, c. 19, s. 660]

93 [Repealed, 2012, c. 19, s. 660]

94 [Repealed, 2012, c. 19, s. 660]

95 [Repealed, 2012, c. 19, s. 660]

96 [Repealed, 2012, c. 19, s. 660]

97 [Repealed, 2012, c. 19, s. 660]

98 [Repealed, 2012, c. 19, s. 660]

99 [Repealed, 2012, c. 19, s. 660]

100 [Repealed, 2012, c. 19, s. 660]

101 [Repealed, 2012, c. 19, s. 660]

102 [Repealed, 2012, c. 19, s. 660]

103 [Repealed, 2012, c. 19, s. 660]

104 [Repealed, 2012, c. 19, s. 660]

105 [Repealed, 2012, c. 19, s. 660]

106 [Repealed, 2012, c. 19, s. 660]

107 [Repealed, 2012, c. 19, s. 660]

108 [Repealed, 2012, c. 19, s. 660]

109 [Repealed, 2012, c. 19, s. 660]

110 [Repealed, 2012, c. 19, s. 660]

111 [Repealed, 2012, c. 19, s. 660]

112 [Repealed, 2012, c. 19, s. 660]

113 [Repealed, 2012, c. 19, s. 660]

PART 6Financial Management and Control

Marginal note:Definitions

114 The following definitions apply in this Part.

board of directors

board of directors includes

• (a) in respect of the First Nations Tax Commission, the commissioners referred to in section 17; and

• (b) in respect of the First Nations Financial Management Board, the directors referred to in section 38. (conseil d’administra­tion)

institution

institution means the First Nations Tax Commission or the First Nations Financial Management Board. (institution)

Marginal note:Exclusion from federal public administration

• 115 (1) The officers and employees of an institution are not part of the federal public administration.

• Marginal note:No guarantees

  (2) No person shall give a guarantee on behalf of Her Majesty for the discharge of an obligation or liability of an institution.

Marginal note:Financial year

116 The financial year of each institution is the period from April 1 to March 31, unless otherwise prescribed by regulation.

Marginal note:Expenditure of revenues

117 Subject to any terms and conditions that the Treasury Board may direct, for the purposes of the institution, an institution may expend, during a financial year or the following year, any revenues that it receives in that financial year through the conduct of its operations.

Marginal note:Corporate plans

• 118 (1) Each institution shall, in accordance with any directions given by the Minister, establish a corporate plan and budget for each financial year and submit them to the Minister for approval.

• Marginal note:Scope and contents of corporate plan

  (2) The corporate plan of each institution shall encompass all of the businesses and activities of the institution and include a statement of

  • (a) the objects or purposes of the institution;

  • (b) the institution’s objectives for the financial year and the strategy it intends to employ to achieve those objectives; and

  • (c) the institution’s expected performance for the financial year as compared to its objectives for that year as set out in the last corporate plan.

• Marginal note:Contents of budget

  (3) The budget of each institution must include a statement of the institution’s projected revenues and expenses for the financial year on account of capital and operations.

• Marginal note:Form of corporate plan

  (4) The corporate plan of each institution shall be prepared in a form that clearly sets out information according to the major businesses or activities of the institution.

• Marginal note:Restriction on business or activity

  (5) No institution may carry on any business or activity in any financial year in a manner that is not consistent with its corporate plan for that year.

• Marginal note:Amendment

  (6) Any amendment by an institution to its corporate plan or budget shall be submitted to the Minister for approval.

Marginal note:Books and systems

• 119 (1) Each institution shall

  • (a) keep books of account and records in relation to them; and

  • (b) maintain financial and management control and information systems.

• Marginal note:Books and systems

  (2) The books, records and systems referred to in subsection (1) shall be kept and maintained in such a manner as will provide reasonable assurance that

  • (a) the institution’s assets are safeguarded and controlled;

  • (b) its transactions are in accordance with this Act;

  • (c) its financial, human and physical resources are managed economically and efficiently; and

  • (d) its operations are carried out effectively.

• Marginal note:Internal audit

  (3) An institution may cause internal audits to be conducted to assess compliance with subsections (1) and (2).

• Marginal note:Financial statements

  (4) Each institution shall annually prepare financial statements, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, as supplemented by any directions given by the Minister under subsection (6).

• Marginal note:Form of financial statements

  (5) The financial statements of an institution shall be prepared in a form that clearly sets out information according to the major businesses or activities of the institution.

• Marginal note:Directions

  (6) The Minister may give directions respecting the preparation of financial statements, to supplement generally accepted accounting principles.

Marginal note:Annual auditor’s report

• 120 (1) Each institution shall cause an annual auditor’s report to be prepared in accordance with any directions of the Minister, on

  • (a) its financial statements; and

  • (b) any quantitative information required to be audited under subsection (3).

• Marginal note:Contents

  (2) A report under subsection (1) shall

  • (a) include separate statements as to whether in the auditor’s opinion

    • (i) the financial statements are presented fairly, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, applied on a basis consistent with that of the preceding year,

    • (ii) the quantitative information is accurate in all material respects and, if applicable, was prepared on a basis consistent with that of the preceding year, and

    • (iii) the transactions of the institution that have come to the auditor’s notice in the course of his or her examination for the report were carried out in accordance with this Act; and

  • (b) call attention to any other matter falling within the scope of the auditor’s examination for the report that, in his or her opinion, should be brought to the attention of the institution or the Minister.

• Marginal note:Audit of quantitative information

  (3) The Minister may require that any quantitative information required to be included in an institution’s annual report pursuant to paragraph (2)(a) be audited.

• Marginal note:Presentation to Minister

  (4) Each institution shall submit its audited financial statements to the Minister at least 30 days before the day of its annual meeting.

Marginal note:Special examination

• 121 (1) Each institution shall, at least once every five years and at any other time required by its board of directors or by the Minister, cause a special examination to be carried out in respect of its operations to determine if the books, records, systems and practices referred to in section 119 were, in the period under examination, maintained in a manner that met the requirements of that section.

• Marginal note:Plan

  (2) Before commencing a special examination, an examiner shall survey the systems and practices of the institution to be examined and submit a plan for the examination, including a statement of the criteria to be applied in the examination, to the audit committee of the institution.

• Marginal note:Resolution of disagreements

  (3) Any disagreement between the examiner and the audit committee or board of directors of an institution with respect to a plan referred to in subsection (2) shall be resolved by the Minister.

• Marginal note:Reliance on internal audit

  (4) An examiner shall, as far as is practica­ble, rely on any internal audit conducted pursuant to subsection 119(3) in respect of the institution being examined.

Marginal note:Report

• 122 (1) An examiner shall, on completion of a special examination in respect of an institution, submit a report on his or her findings, and a summary of that report, to the Minister and to the board of directors of the institution.

• Marginal note:Contents

  (2) The report of an examiner shall include

  • (a) a statement whether in the examiner’s opinion, having regard to the criteria referred to in subsection 119(2), there is a reasonable assurance that there are no significant deficiencies in the systems and practices examined; and

  • (b) a statement of the extent to which the examiner relied on internal audits.

• Marginal note:Posting of report

  (3) An institution shall, as soon as possible after receipt of an examiner’s report, post a summary of the report on an Internet website maintained by the institution.

Marginal note:Examiner

• 123 (1) Subject to subsection (2), a special examination shall be carried out by the auditor of the institution.

• Marginal note:Other auditor

  (2) If, in the opinion of the Minister, a person other than the auditor of an institution should carry out a special examination in respect of the institution, the Minister may, after consulting with the board of directors of the institution, direct that the examination be carried out by another auditor who is qualified for the purpose.

Marginal note:Consultation with Auditor General

124 The auditor or examiner of an institution may at any time consult the Auditor General of Canada on any matter relating to an audit or special examination.

Marginal note:Right to information

• 125 (1) At the request of the auditor or examiner of an institution, the present or former commissioners, directors, officers, employees or agents of the institution shall provide any information and explanations, and give access to any records, documents, books, accounts and vouchers of the institution that are under their control, that the auditor or examiner considers necessary to prepare a report required under this Act.

• Marginal note:Obligation to inform

  (2) If a commissioner or director of an institution does not have information or an explanation requested by an auditor or examiner under subsection (1), the commissioner or director shall obtain the information or explanation and provide it to the auditor or examiner.

Marginal note:Restriction

126 Nothing in this Part or in any directions of the Minister shall be construed as authorizing the auditor or examiner of an institution to express any opinion on the merits of matters of policy, including the merits of

• (a) the objects or purposes for which the institution was established or the restrictions on the businesses or activities that it may carry on, as set out in this Act; or

• (b) any business or policy decision of the institution.

Marginal note:Qualified privilege

127 An oral or written statement or report made under this Part by an auditor or examiner has qualified privilege.

Marginal note:Audit committee

• 128 (1) Each institution shall establish an audit committee composed of not less than three commissioners or directors who are not officers of the institution and who are competent to perform the duties set out in subsection (2).

• Marginal note:Duties

  (2) An audit committee shall

  • (a) review, and advise the board of directors in respect of, the financial statements that are to be included in the annual report of the institution;

  • (b) oversee any internal audit of the institution;

  • (c) review, and advise the board of directors in respect of, the annual auditor’s report in respect of the institution;

  • (d) review, and advise the board of directors in respect of, any plan and report of a special examiner; and

  • (e) perform any other functions that are assigned to it by the board of directors of the institution.

• Marginal note:Auditor’s or examiner’s attendance

  (3) An auditor and any examiner of an institution are entitled to receive notice of every meeting of the audit committee and, at the expense of the institution, to attend and be heard at each meeting.

• Marginal note:Required attendance

  (4) The auditor or examiner of an institution shall attend any meeting of the institution’s audit committee at which he or she is requested to attend by a member of that committee.

• Marginal note:Calling meeting

  (5) The auditor or examiner of an institution or a member of the institution’s audit committee may call a meeting of that committee.

Marginal note:Disclosure of material developments

129 The chief executive officer of an institution shall, as soon as reasonably practica­ble, notify the Minister and any commissioner or director of the institution not already aware of them of any financial or other developments that, in the chief executive officer’s opinion, are likely to have a material effect on the perform­ance of the institution, relative to its objectives or requirements for funding.

Marginal note:Annual report

• 130 (1) Each institution shall, within four months after the end of each financial year, submit to the Minister an annual report on the operations of the institution in that year.

• Marginal note:Form and contents

  (2) The annual report of an institution shall be prepared in a form that clearly sets out information according to the major businesses or activities of the institution and shall include

  • (a) the financial statements of the institution;

  • (b) the annual auditor’s report;

  • (c) a statement on the extent to which the institution has met its objectives for the financial year;

  • (d) any quantitative information respecting the performance of the institution that the Minister may require to be included; and

  • (e) any other information that is required under this Act or any other Act of Parliament.

Marginal note:Annual meeting

• 131 (1) The board of directors of an institution shall call an annual meeting not later than 18 months after the institution is established and subsequently not later than 15 months after the preceding annual meeting.

• Marginal note:Notice of meeting

  (2) An institution shall, at least 30 days before the annual meeting, publish a notice in a major newspaper setting out the time and location of the meeting and specifying that the institution’s annual report may be accessed on an Internet website to be maintained by the institution.

• Marginal note:Availability to public

  (3) At the annual meeting, the board of directors shall ensure that

  • (a) there are available a sufficient number of copies of the institution’s most recent annual report for those present at the meeting; and

  • (b) the chief executive officer and the commissioners or directors of the institution are available to those present at the meeting to answer any questions about the institution’s operations.

PART 7Provisions of General Application

General

Marginal note:Conflict of interest

• 132 (1) No person who is appointed to, or is employed by, a commission, board or authority established under this Act shall be appointed to, or be employed by, any other commission, board or authority established under this Act.

• Marginal note:Conflict of interest

  (2) No person referred to in subsection (1) shall accept or hold any office or employment that is inconsistent with that person’s duties or take part in any matter involving the commission, board or authority in which that person has an interest.

• Marginal note:Conflict of interest

  (3) All persons appointed to a commission or board established under this Act shall comply with the Conflict of Interest Act as though they were public office holders as defined in that Act.

Marginal note:Liability of Her Majesty

• 133 (1) No person has a right to receive any compensation, damages, indemnity or other relief from Her Majesty in right of Canada in respect of any claim against the First Nations Tax Commission, First Nations Financial Management Board or First Nations Finance Authority arising from its exercise of, or its failure to exercise, any of the powers or functions of that Commission, Board or Authority, as the case may be, including any claim against the First Nations Tax Commission as an agent of Her Majesty in right of Canada.

• Marginal note:Insurance required

  (2) The First Nations Tax Commission, First Nations Financial Management Board and First Nations Finance Authority shall maintain in good standing at all times the insurance coverage required by any regulations made under paragraph 140(b).

Marginal note:No appropriation

134 No payment to the First Nations Tax Commission, First Nations Financial Management Board or First Nations Finance Authority may be made under an appropriation by Parliament authorized under an Act of Parliament to enable the Commission, Board or Authority to satisfy any claim referred to in subsection 133(1).

Marginal note:No compensation

135 No person has a right to receive any compensation, damages, indemnity or other relief from Her Majesty in right of Canada, or from the First Nations Tax Commission, for any acquired, vested or future right, or for any prospect of such a right, that is affected by a law approved by the First Nations Tax Commission under subsection 31(3), or for any duty or liability imposed on that person as a result of such a law.

Marginal note:Limit of liability

136 No civil proceedings lie against a commissioner or employee of the First Nations Tax Commission, or any director or employee of the First Nations Financial Management Board, for anything done, or omitted to be done, in the exercise or purported exercise in good faith of any power, or in the performance or purported performance in good faith of any duty, of that person in accordance with this Act.

Marginal note:Limit of liability

137 No civil proceedings lie against a member of a council or an employee of a first nation for anything done, or omitted to be done, during the course of the exercise or purported exercise in good faith of any power, or the performance or purported performance in good faith of any duty, of that member or employee in accordance with this Act, regulations made under this Act or a law made by the council of a first nation under this Act.

Marginal note:Conflict with other laws

• 138 (1) In the event of a conflict between a local revenue law and an Act of Parliament or any regulations made under an Act of Parliament or a code made by a first nation under another Act of Parliament, the Act, regulations or code prevails to the extent of the conflict.

• Marginal note:Conflict with other first nation laws

  (2) In the event of a conflict between a law made by a first nation under this Act and a law, other than a code, made by the first nation under another Act of Parliament, the law made by the first nation under this Act prevails to the extent of the conflict.

Marginal note:Official languages

• 139 (1) For greater certainty, the provisions of the Official Languages Act applicable to federal institutions apply to the First Nations Tax Commission.

• Marginal note:Official languages

  (2) Where there is a significant demand for services in a particular official language, the First Nations Financial Management Board and First Nations Finance Authority shall offer services in that language.

Regulations

Marginal note:Regulations

140 The Governor in Council may make regulations

• (a) prescribing anything that is to be prescribed under subsection 20(3) or 41(2) or section 116; and

• (b) respecting the insurance coverage required to be maintained by the First Nations Tax Commission, First Nations Financial Management Board and First Nations Finance Authority in respect of liabilities referred to in subsection 133(1), including the circumstances in which the Commission, Board or Authority would be exempt from that requirement.

Marginal note:Regulations

141 For the purpose of enabling an aborig­inal group that is not a band as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Indian Act but is a party to a treaty, land claims agreement or self-government agreement with Canada to benefit from the provisions of this Act or obtain the services of any body established under this Act, the Governor in Council may make any regulations that the Governor in Council considers necessary, including regulations

• (a) adapting any provision of this Act or of any regulation made under this Act; and

• (b) restricting the application of any provision of this Act or of any regulation made under this Act.

Marginal note:Regulations

142 The Governor in Council may make regulations

• (a) prescribing anything that is to be prescribed for the purposes of paragraph 74(b); and

• (b) adapting or restricting any provision of this Act or of any regulation made under this Act for the purposes of paragraph 74(b).

PART 8Transitional Provisions, Consequential Amendments, Coordinating Amendments and Coming into Force

Transitional Provisions

Marginal note:ITAB employees

• 143 (1) Persons who are employed by the Indian Taxation Advisory Board at the time that the First Nations Tax Commission is established shall be offered employment with the Commission, at the same salary and with equivalent terms and conditions of employment.

• Marginal note:Interim rules of procedure

  (2) Until new rules are established by the First Nations Tax Commission, the Commission shall conduct itself in accordance with the rules of procedure established by the Indian Taxation Advisory Board.

Marginal note:Continuation of directors

144 Persons who are directors of the First Nations Finance Authority Inc., a corporation incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act, on the day on which section 58 comes into force shall continue as directors of the First Nations Finance Authority until new directors are elected.

Marginal note:Continuation of existing by-laws

• 145 (1) By-laws made by a first nation under paragraph 83(1)(a), or any of paragraphs 83(1)(d) to (g), of the Indian Act that are in force on the day on which the name of the first nation is added to the schedule are deemed to be laws made under section 5 or 9, as the case may be, to the extent that they are not inconsistent with section 5 or 9, and remain in force until they are repealed or replaced.

• Marginal note:Amendment of existing by-laws

  (2) For greater certainty, subsections 5(2) to (7) apply to amendments of by-laws referred to in subsection (1).

• Marginal note:Non-application of section

  (3) This section does not apply if the name of the first nation is added to the schedule on or after the day on which section 145.1 comes into force.

Marginal note:Continuation of existing by-laws

• 145.1 (1) By-laws made by a first nation under any of paragraphs 83(1)(a) and (b) to (g) of the Indian Act that are in force on the day on which the name of the first nation is added to the schedule, except those described in subsection (2), are deemed to be laws made under section 5 to the extent that they are not inconsistent with section 5, and they remain in force until they are replaced by a law made by the first nation under section 5 or are repealed.

• Marginal note:Continuation of existing by-laws

  (2) By-laws in respect of financial administration made by a first nation under any of paragraphs 83(1)(a) and (b) to (g) of the Indian Act that are in force on the day on which the name of the first nation is added to the schedule remain in force until they are repealed or until the first nation makes a law that is approved under subsection 9(2).

• Marginal note:Continuation of existing by-laws

  (3) By-laws made by a first nation under paragraph 83(1)(b) or (c) of the Indian Act that are in force on the day on which this section comes into force, except those described in subsection (4), are deemed to be laws made under section 5 to the extent that they are not inconsistent with section 5, and they remain in force until they are replaced by a law made by the first nation under section 5 or are repealed.

• Marginal note:Continuation of existing by-laws

  (4) By-laws in respect of financial administration made by a first nation under paragraph 83(1)(b) or (c) of the Indian Act that are in force on the day on which this section comes into force remain in force until they are repealed or until the first nation makes a law that is approved under subsection 9(2).

Marginal note:Review and evaluation

146 Within seven years after the day on which this Act receives royal assent, the Minister, after consultation with the First Nations Tax Commission, First Nations Financial Management Board and First Nations Finance Authority, shall review the provisions and operation of this Act and the operations of those institutions, and submit a report to each House of Parliament on that review, including any changes that the Minister recommends relating to the evolution of the mandate and the operation of those institutions.

Consequential Amendments

Access to Information Act

147 [Amendment]

148 [Amendment]

Financial Administration Act

149 [Amendment]

Indian Act

150 [Amendment]

151 [Amendment]

Privacy Act

152 [Amendment]

Westbank First Nation Self-Government Act

153 [Amendment]

Coordinating Amendments

154 [Amendments]

Coming into Force

Marginal note:Order in council

Footnote ^*155 The provisions of this Act, other than section 154, come into force on a day or days to be fixed by order of the Governor in Council.

• Return to footnote ^*[Note: Section 154 in force on assent March 23, 2005; Act, other than section 154, in force April 1, 2006, see SI/2006-59.]