RE: ELIMINATION OF ALBERTA INDIAN TAX EXEMPTION CARD (WHITE CARD) ISSUED BY ALBERTA TAX AND REVENUE ADMINISTRATION
This update is in response to the recent announcement made by the Alberta Tax and Revenue Administration regarding the elimination of the Alberta Tax Exemption Card. (White Card) effective June 21, 2021 – see notice issued on April 15, 2021 by Tax and Revenue Administration.
Blood Tribe Membership Department would like to notify all Tribal members trying to apply for an Indian Status Card that the Membership office cannot assist in the processing of Indian status card applications until further notice due to COVID-19 restrictions.
If you want to register a child or if you have other membership issues, the Blood Tribe Membership office can be contacted:
• Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 403-737-8110 or 403-737-8111
• Tuesday and Thursday at -403-737-8220.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, all Indigenous Service Canada (ISC) offices that deal with Indian Status and Secure Status card applications are closed. ISC staff have reduced working hours and most staff work from home. To receive assistance, you can still contact the ISC Regional Office in Alberta during business hours at 780-495-2773.
To find out the instruction on how to apply for an Indian Status Card by mail, please visit the Indigenous Services Canada website (www.isc.gc.ca) or click this link: https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1462808207464/1572460627149
Please note that during the COVID-19 pandemic, ISC has extended the validity date of Indian Status Cards until further notice.
• Service providers should accept Indian Status Cards or Temporary Confirmation or Registration Documents (TCRDs), with identification, even if the renewal or expiry date has passed.
• Indian Status does not expire. Your registration number confirms your status and can be used to access some services and programs.
Please be advised that the processing time for Indian Status Card applications sent in the mail will take time to process, and the return of any original documents sent with the application will be delayed.
Please remember that any Indian Status Card application that is mailed to ISC cannot be tracked by Blood Tribe Membership Department. They are not responsible for processing the application, so any follow-up or questions will need to be directed to ISC and not to Blood Tribe Membership. The phone number to call Ottawa about Indian Status Cards is 1-800-567-9604.
FYI: Blood Tribe Membership Card Cannot Be Used For Tax Exemption
The Blood Tribe Membership card is a card that is only issued to Blood Tribe Members. This card is different from the Indian Status Card that Indigenous Services Canada issues (Indian Affairs), even though the information on the card is similar. Since the band membership card is not a government-issued card, it cannot be used in place of the Indian Status Card.
Thank You
Blood Tribe Membership Department
