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On-line Professional Development

FSMA: First Nations Fiscal & Statistical Management Act
Introduction

The First Nations Fiscal and Statistical Management Act (FSMA) or Bill C-20 is a federal statute that Parliament passed on March 22, 2005.  Its official title is “An Act to provide for Real Property Taxation Powers of First Nations to create a First Nations Tax Commission, First Nations Financial Management Board, First Nations Finance Authority and First Nations Statistical Institute and to make consequential amendments to other Acts”.

These four (4) institutions, working together, can provide First Nations with an option to access capital (financial) markets available to other local governments in Canada.  Also, the FSMA can further strengthen the First Nations real property tax systems, provide greater representation for taxpayers in First Nations taxation policy development, as well as supporting First Nations to enhance their financial management capacity and responsibilities to their membership.  Finally, FSMA can serve to fill the current gap in First Nations statistics and information which are necessary for planning and monitoring economic development and related initiatives.

In this course, we explore the benefits to First Nations that the FSMA can provide and how each of the four institutions can contribute.

The cost for this course is:

Members: $535 (plus applicable taxes)

Non-members: $645 (plus applicable taxes)

For course start dates and to register, click on Register for courses.

Learning Goals and Objectives
Learning Goal 1

To provide the learner with a learning experience which will assist him/her to acquire foundation knowledge of the FSMA, its purposes, institutions and benefits – all designed to strengthen the financial administration and economic development capacities of First Nations.

Learning Objective 1.1 (Introduction and Benefits of the FSMA)
At the end of the lesson, the learner will have correctly identified and explained the benefits that a selected (example) First Nation could derive from assuming Property Taxation Authority.

Learning Objective 1.2 (Preliminary Self-Assessment)
At the end of the lesson, the learner will have correctly identified and briefly explained additional capacity (preliminary) requirements a selected (example) First Nation might be required to obtain certification by FMSA.

Learning Objective 1.3 (Introduction to Institutions)
At the end of the lesson, the learning will have written a basic description of each of the four (4) institutions found in the FSMA.

Learning Objective 1.4 (Property Taxation)
At the end of the lesson, the learner will have correctly described property taxation and identified its basic purposes, characteristics and uses.

Learning Objective 1.5 (Property Taxation and FNTC)
At the end of the lesson, the learner will have correctly identified and compared the difference(s) between the property tax and financial administration provisions of the Indian Act and those of the FSMA.
Learning Objective 1.6 (Credit Markets)
At the end of the lesson, the learner will have correctly explained, in general terms, credit markets, their role in the economy and how they may benefit First Nations.

Learning Objective 1.7 (FNFA and FMB – the link)
At the end of the lesson, the learner will have correctly identified the authority and role of FNFA, how it participates in credit markets and how this activity can result in benefits to First Nations.

Learning Objective 1.8 (Role of the FMB)
At the end of the lesson, the learner will have correctly identified and explained the authorities and role of the FMB, and some of the services it provides to First Nations.

 

Learning Goal 2

To provide the learner with a basic knowledge of the structure of a Financial
Administration Law (FAL) and FAL Standards.

Learning Objective 2.1 (FAL and Financial Performance Certification)
At the end of the lesson, the learner will have correctly explained the role and Legislated Authority of FALs and their strengthening of the financial administration of a First Nation community by meeting FMB Standards.

Learning Objective 2.2 (Key Components of a FAL)
At the end of the lesson, the learner will have correctly identified and explained the purposes of the key components of a FAL.


Learning Goal 3

To provide the learner with a basic knowledge of Financial Management Systems, Financial Performance Certifications as well as FMB’s intervention role.

Learning Objective 3.1 (Financial Systems Certification)
At the end of the lesson, the learner will have correctly explained the purpose of Financial Systems Certification and its relationship to an FAL.

Learning Objective 3.2 (Financial Performance Certification)
At the end of the lesson, the learner will have correctly explained the purpose of Financial Performance Certification, how it is measured and its relationship to credit markets.

Learning Objective 3.3 (Financial Performance Certification Procedures)
At the end of the lesson, the learner will have drafted a brief step by step overview of how a First Nation requests a Financial Performance Review.

Learning Objective 3.4 (Intervention)
At the end of the lesson, the learner will have identified and explained the reasons and basic procedures for FMB intervention.


Learning Goal 4

To provide the learner with an orientation to the expected organization change that may come about as a result of the adoption of a FAL and the FMB Certification Process and the role of Change Agents in that organization change.

Learning Objective 4.1 (Role of Change Agent – Some Theory)
At the end of the lesson, the learner will have correctly identified and explained the roles of a Change Agent and the importance of strong sponsorship.

Learning Objective 4.2 (Some Theory)
At the end of the lesson, the learner will have identified and explained three (3) basic levels of organizational change and the application of theory from Learning Objective 4.1 to those changes.

Learning Objective 4.3 (Implement Change)
At the end of the lesson, the learner will have prepared and delivered a presentation using a sample First Nation, identifying strategies to implement a FAL and Financial Systems and Performance Standards.\