CTF Pleased Harper Government is Upholding First Nations Financial Transparency Act

WINNIPEG, MB: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) expressed support today for Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt’s firm position on holding First Nation governments accountable if they choose not to disclose their financial statements.

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“It’s great the federal government is standing firm and will consider court action if any band council refuses to disclose how public funds are spent,” said CTF Prairie Director Colin Craig. “We’ve heard from countless people living on reserves that love what the federal government is doing. Plain and simple, they want to know where the money is going too.” To date, the new legislation has confirmed what the CTF has said for years – there’s a wide range of pay when it comes to remuneration for aboriginal politicians. Some make a modest sum, while the new legislation has revealed two millionaire chiefs (once their tax-free income is converted to a taxable amount for someone off reserve); one on the Fort McKay First Nation and one on the Kwikwetlem First Nation. The CTF was the driving force behind the First Nations Financial Transparency Act; legislation it began pushing for back in late 2009 along with grassroots people on reserves. The new law requires bands to do something off reserve politicians have done for years; disclose their pay and annual reports to the public. Colin Craig, Canadian Taxpayers Federation

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