Federal government standing committee recommends 100 per cent GST rebate for school boards
Since 2004, when the federal government exempted municipalities from the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the Alberta School Boards Association has supported Canadian School Boards Association lobbying efforts aimed at having school boards exempted from the GST.

December saw these lobbying efforts bear fruit when the federal government’s Standing Committee on Finance recommended a 100 per cent GST rebate for school boards in its report to the House of Commons.

The recommendation reads as follows: “…the lack of a full GST rebate for universities, colleges, school boards and hospitals, as well as for scholarly research materials, has the potential to undermine the quality of education and health care provided to Canadians. Consequently, the Committee recommends that: The federal government amend the Excise Tax Act in order to ensure a full rebate on the Goods and Services Tax paid by universities, colleges, school boards and hospitals and on behalf of scholarly research materials.”

It is now up to the federal government to consider the Standing Committee on Finance’s recommendation. ASBA President Maureen Kubinec has encouraged school boards to contact their Member of Parliament to urge them to support this recommendation.

See the House of Commons Finance Committee report.

See the Canadian School Boards Association’s submission to the House of Commons Finance Committee.

Magazine article studies school board governance
The January edition of Alberta Venture magazine features an article looking at school boards, governance and the role of the Alberta School Boards Association.

ASBA Executive Director David Anderson is quoted in the article: "Governance is key to the work of school boards and to the work of our education community in Alberta. Our government has entrusted school boards to govern education. There is $5 billion of taxpayers’ money that is entrusted to school boards’ care and attention. They are one of the biggest employers in Alberta. So it is incredibly important school trustees are prepared to govern these always very complex, often very large jurisdictions. It is critical they know their role, are familiar with the tools they need and the diligence required to do that job effectively."

Alberta Venture has posted the full article on its website. See it here.

What’s new @ www.asba.ab.ca?
The 2007 ASBA Awards package is available online in both word and pdf formats.
Submission deadlines are as follow:
Edwin Parr Award: March 30, 2007
Friends of Education Award: September 21, 2007
Honorary Life Member Award: September 21, 2007
Long Service Award: September 21, 2007
Premier's Award: September 21, 2007
Zone Appreciation Award: June 22, 2007