Proceeds from Liquor Fees to Remain On-reserve in Saskatchewan
REGINA — The provincial government has entered into agreements with several First Nations that will permit them to levy their own on-reserve liquor fees, which could bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars a year for First Nations governments.
The Liquor Consumption Tax Administration agreement allows proceeds from liquor fees to remain on-reserve to fund local priorities and will replace provincial taxes formerly collected on-reserve for alcohol purchases.
These fees will stay the same as the tax collected off-reserve by the province (currently 10 per cent) and must apply to all consumers. The province is currently collecting about $500,000 a year in liquor taxes from on-reserve casinos and other licensed operations, like golf course clubhouses, according to a finance ministry spokesperson.
