The Supreme Court of Canada announced on Thursday that it would not hear a case testing whether an estimated 60,000 off-reserve Natives have to pay taxes.

A judge ruled that Treaty 8 exempted off-reserve Natives from taxes but an appeals court later overturned the ruling. The Supreme Court said it won't review the appeal.

Treaty 8 applies to 23 Aboriginal bands in northern Alberta, northwestern Saskatchewan, northwestern British Columbia and the southwest part of the Northwest Territories.

Get the Story:
SCOC won't hear native tax appeal (CBC 4/29)

Get the Decision:
Canada v. Benoit (June 11, 2003)

Lower Court Decisions:
Stay and Order (4/26) | Benoit v. Canada (3/7)

Relevant Links:
Treaty 8 - http://www.treaty8.org

Related Stories:
Can. appeals court overturns Native tax victory (06/12)
Canada appeals tax-free status of Natives (11/19)
Appeals court halts tax-free ruling for Natives (05/06)
Alberta bands win tax case (3/8)