The lady didn't pay tax!
Dec 19th 2008, 8:29 pm
#61
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Posts: 26,319
Re: The lady didn't pay tax!
Well here's a thing. I don't begrudge the aboriginal Canadians the small concessions they get from the government. As an immigrant I don't feel that it's really anything to do with me, and anyway I'm generally in favour of governments coming to the aid of disadvantaged sections of the population.
However, if you use a phrase such as "everlasting disgrace" it suggests some sort of guilt on the part of today's population for the misdeeds of past populations. I find that problematic, I don't want to pay reparations for slaves I never held, I don't blame the Germans of today for bombing the house I grew up in and I don't think the descendents of the settlers in Canada should feel an historic obligation to the descendents of the native population.
The government should make efforts to improve the difficult situation off reserve Indians find themselves in but because they are Canadians in difficulty, not because they're aboriginal. On reserve Indians are a whole other story, if the reserve is a place at arms length from Canada and the US, where a culture at arms length is followed, maybe funding from the governments isn't appropriate.
However, if you use a phrase such as "everlasting disgrace" it suggests some sort of guilt on the part of today's population for the misdeeds of past populations. I find that problematic, I don't want to pay reparations for slaves I never held, I don't blame the Germans of today for bombing the house I grew up in and I don't think the descendents of the settlers in Canada should feel an historic obligation to the descendents of the native population.
The government should make efforts to improve the difficult situation off reserve Indians find themselves in but because they are Canadians in difficulty, not because they're aboriginal. On reserve Indians are a whole other story, if the reserve is a place at arms length from Canada and the US, where a culture at arms length is followed, maybe funding from the governments isn't appropriate.
Dec 19th 2008, 8:46 pm
#62
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 7,284
Re: The lady didn't pay tax!
Why would you chose to live in a place where you can never own the land your house is on? It always leasehold. This may not seem significant to a European but to Canadians who put great store by owning land it's important.
Dec 19th 2008, 9:06 pm
#63
RETIRED Realtor
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Posts: 2,087
Re: The lady didn't pay tax!
However, if you use a phrase such as "everlasting disgrace" it suggests some sort of guilt on the part of today's population for the misdeeds of past populations. I find that problematic, I don't want to pay reparations for slaves I never held, I don't blame the Germans of today for bombing the house I grew up in and I don't think the descendents of the settlers in Canada should feel an historic obligation to the descendents of the native population.
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At the moment its not really a historic obligation, but a current obligation, the residential schools operated until the mid 60's, so most of the survivors are middle aged now, and so many of their problems have been passed down to their children.
I see the effects everyday, Manitoba has a large "native" population and a disproportionate number are alcoholics and drug abusers, and they make up 80% or our prison population. A lot of the problems that cause these issues can be directly attributed to the residential school program.
These problems are going to take many generations to sort out, we can't just brush them all under the table and say "Its not my generations problem". Sometimes we do have to take on obligations handed down by our ancestors, whether we like it or not.
Dec 19th 2008, 9:08 pm
#64
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,124
Re: The lady didn't pay tax!
This may come as a complete shock to some here but 400 years ago the rapacious Europeans took everything away from the natives. The very least Canada can do nowadays is to try to make it up to them.
If it means tax breaks so be it!
If it means tax breaks so be it!
Dec 19th 2008, 10:08 pm
#65
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,018
Re: The lady didn't pay tax!
I take your point but wonder where it stops. Slavery reparations seem a directly comparable issue, where are you on that?
Dec 19th 2008, 11:30 pm
#66
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,383
Re: The lady didn't pay tax!
They most certainly do pay tax. My stepson is Lakota in Halifax not on a reservation and pays taxes and my in-laws in Kahnawake, Que which is a reservation are Mohawk and they pay taxes.
Dec 20th 2008, 4:55 am
#67
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Joined: Dec 2007
Location: Calgary
Posts: 2,092
Re: The lady didn't pay tax!
The aboriginal people of Canada were treated as nations by Britain, and treaties were made with them as nations. As such they have treaty rights as members of nations. They were never treated as property.
The slavery issue is different historically and legally.
Morally there may be some comparison.
And... the first nations despise being helped, despise the help that's given and despise themselves for being so weak as to have to take it, and despise those that help them. They see no honour in it for anyone.
How do I know this? Working for 4 years in prison as a chaplain and working closely with the aboriginal inmates.
If the government actually abided by the treaty rights .....
Dec 20th 2008, 5:45 am
#68
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 26,319
Re: The lady didn't pay tax!
It'd be a miracle. Don't hold your breath while Harper's in power, and I don't think I've heard any of the other political parties views on abiding by these either. I will however ask my local MP on his position on this. He's a Liberal.
