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Alberta’s government is making life easier for First Nations people by eliminating the Alberta Indian Tax Exemption (AITE) card.
Minister Wilson meets with Chief Silas Yellowknee, member of council Ken Alook and other members of Bigstone Cree Nation. Chief Yellowknee stands second to the left, while member of council Alook and Minister Wilson ‘cut’ an AITE card in the middle of the group.
After engaging with First Nations leaders, the government is discontinuing the Alberta Indian Tax Exemption (AITE) card, effective Oct. 4. Alberta will begin accepting the federal Certificate of Indian Status card (status card) as the only form of identification for applicable tax exemptions on-reserve in Alberta.
“First Nations leaders have asked me to eliminate the AITE card since I became minister of Indigenous Relations. We engaged with leaders and retailers and now we are getting rid of this unnecessary extra step for First Nations consumers. We are proud to continue removing barriers for First Nations people in Alberta.”
Alberta’s government will continue to support tobacco and fuel tax exemptions for First Nations people, who will be able to use their status card to make purchases from participating retailers. Old, expired and temporary status cards will be accepted for purchases.
“We are grateful to Minister Wilson and the Alberta government for eliminating the AITE card. We felt the old card was discriminatory and we are thankful to have an ally in the province. This upholds our treaty rights and we appreciate this step forward.”
Eligible First Nations people and bands can purchase the following products without taxes and levies at the time of purchase:
“Our commitment to cut red tape by one-third continues to make life better for Albertans and is a critical part of Alberta’s Recovery Plan. Eliminating the redundant AITE card will make it easier for First Nations people to receive tax exemptions on-reserve in Alberta.”