First Nations in Ontario are planning protests during the G8 and G20 summits next week unless a deal is reached over Canada's Harmonized Sales Tax.

News reports indicate an agreement in principle has been developed to exempt Natives in the province from a portion of the tax. But Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy said a final deal hasn't been signed.

A deal will save Natives about between $85 million and $120 million in the first year of the HST, according to an economics professor. The exemption applies to the 8 percent PST, or provincial sales tax.

Get the Story:
Native blockades set for Monday, unless HST deal is sealed (The Globe and Mail 6/17)
Ontario's status Indians to be HST exempt (The Toronto Star 6/17)