A routine Christmas shopping trip turned into a lesson in inconsistent policy for Ethan Macleod, a resident of the Cree Nation of Mistissini. While searching for holiday deals in Gatineau, Quebec—over 500 kilometres from his home—he encountered a stark disparity in how stores apply tax exemptions for Indigenous peoples.
The On-the-Ground Confusion Over Status Cards
Macleod discovered that not all retail stores honoured the tax exemptions granted under Section 87 of the Indian Act. This federal law states that Indigenous people with official status cards are generally exempt from GST/HST and PST on goods purchased on a reserve or delivered to one by the vendor. However, provincial policies for off-reserve purchases vary widely.
"They told me, if I want to use my status card, I have to get it shipped to my community, and on top of it, I'm going to be paying those shipping fees," Macleod said, recounting his experience at Simon’s, a Canadian-owned store. In contrast, the international retailer Uniqlo accepted his status card without any problem, prompting him to ask, "Why are we getting more respect from outside, international companies compared to our own country?"
A Legal Grey Area and Provincial Discrepancies
Melissa Ratte, a consumer protection officer for the Cree Nation government, clarified that the confusion is deeply rooted in legal interpretation. "The law from the Indian Act and the federal law, unfortunately that is a big misunderstanding with Cree shoppers," she explained. Currently, in Quebec, only the Kanien’kehà:ka people from Kahnawà:ke have a special agreement allowing point-of-sale GST removal.
This inconsistency is a daily frustration for many. Angela Ottereyes, a Cree parent and student in Montreal, shared similar experiences, noting the embarrassment of unpredictable acceptance. "I've had instances where it was accepted before and now they're not," she said.
Calls for Policy Reform and Recognition of Rights
Advocates like Melissa Ratte are looking to neighbouring Ontario as a model. Ontario provides limited off-reserve tax relief, and Ratte hopes Quebec will adopt similar policies. "There's so much that our government can do in terms of changing policies. Maybe they could try to bring it here in Quebec, like what Ontario did," she stated.
For Ethan Macleod, the issue transcends mere convenience or cost. He views the proper application of tax exemptions as a fundamental aspect of respecting Indigenous rights and treaty agreements. "You're Indigenous, you're in your homeland. You should be proud to get that tax exemption," he asserted. His experience underscores a broader national conversation about reconciliation, legal clarity, and consistent application of Indigenous rights in everyday commercial interactions.
