The Canadian Taxpayers Federation says its almost criminal whats happening with tax-free cigarettes being provided by Ottawa to native reserves across this province. Last year, the CTF revealed millions of dollars were being lost in black market tobacco products. Now, spokesman Kevin Lacey tells the problem is even worse. He says according to numbers obtained by FOIPOP from Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, over 137,000 cigarettes were sold tax-free for the personal use of Status Indians in 2011-12. There are only 14,989 status Indians in Nova Scotia, making up 1.5 per cent of the entire population. Yet, 13.3 per cent of all tobacco sold in the province was sold on reserve, officially for the personal use of Status Indians. He says tax-payers are on the losing end and tens of millions of dollars are involved.
Lacey says tobacco products are being sold off-reserve. The CTF is calling for an investigation.
