The leader of the Anishinabek Grand Council says they're not giving up on fighting the HST battle.
Chief Patrick Madahbee said he wasn't happy with Monday's meeting with federal finance officials about the new tax. He said they're getting angry and frustrated. He spoke on the issue Tuesday at the Anishinabek Grand Council Assembly.
Madahbee said they're still trying to get the government to listen to their concerns on the upcoming harmonized sales tax. After months of trying to meet with federal government officials, a meeting was held on Monday. Madahbee said the government presented an option for point-of-sale tax exemption but it's a cumbersome process he added.
A number of protests have been held by First Nations about the HST. Following Monday's meeting Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy is pushing the federal and provincial governments to maintain the current point of sale tax exemption to ensure it will remain in place as long as the HST is in effect.
Madahbee said they had an economist look at the numbers. It showed their families would be impacted by $100 per week with a $40 million annual impact on their 40 communities.
Another meeting with officials is scheduled for Friday. HST will be implemented July 1.
