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THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2002

Twenty-three First Nation bands in Alberta are exempt from taxes, a federal court judge in Ottawa ruled on Thursday.

Judge Douglas Campbell said the bands were given an oral promise that they wouldn't be taxed. The pledge was made during negotiations for Treaty 8.

The ruling was praised by First Nations leaders who said they would start collecting receipts from on- and off-reserve band members so that a refund could be filed. Previously, only certain on-reserve members have been tax exempt.

On the other hand, a federal taxpayer group said the ruling sets up a race-based system for the "lucky" few. The group didn't mention that the First Nations gave up millions of acres land in exchange for the tax status.

Get the Story:
Alberta First Nations tax ruling shocks taxpayer federation (CBC 3/8)
Court ruling exempts some aboriginals from taxes (CBC 3/7)