WHEREAS Regional Hospital Districts were originally created, among other things, to establish, acquire, construct, reconstruct, enlarge, operate and maintain hospitals and hospital facilities; AND WHEREAS in some Regional Hospital Districts, non-Aboriginal residents residing on First Nations land do not contribute to the capital costs of hospitals and health facilities yet are users of these facilities: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM lobby the Ministry of Health Services to establish an equitable provincial system to collect funding for regional hospital capital projects from non-Aboriginal residents residing on First Nations lands.
Ministry of Health Services The Province is aware of the evolving issue of non-Aboriginal residents residing on First Nations land and not contributing property tax to local regional hospital districts. The issue is complex and is addressed on a case-by-case basis as the provincial government undertakes either treaty or reconciliation negotiations with individual First Nations bands. Where these negotiations take place, the province ensures the issue of contributing to local regional hospital district taxation is included in negotiations. Regarding discussions with the West Bank First Nation, the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation has advised the Ministry of Health Services that the issue of contribution to the local regional hospital district is on the discussion agenda.