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NWT
If approved, a new bill introduced by the Conservative government would compel First Nation bands to publish their financial statements online, including the salaries of chiefs and councillors.

Chief Louis Balsillie: doesn't think reporting finances is an issue - NNSL file photo

Speaking from the Whitecap Dakota First Nation in Saskatchewan on Nov. 23, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) minister John Duncan said the new legislation – titled the "First Nations Financial Transparency Act" – builds on a private member's bill introduced in October 2010 by Conservative MP Kelly Brock that sought to publicize the salaries and expenses paid to band officials.

"The bill goes beyond remuneration and includes the fact that the consolidated financial statements will also be made available to the community members," said Duncan.

The bill also spells out enforcement measures for non-compliance, with the option to stop funding bands refusing to disclose their financial documents.

"This is obviously the last thing we want to have to do, because it would imply that we would have to make alternate arrangements to deliver social services and essential community-level things," he said.

Duncan said the proposed legislation is in the interest of First Nations community members, stating it will breakdown bureaucratic roadblocks some members experience when trying to access band finances.

Duncan said the act will also have an efeect on First Nations elections, as band members will have more information to base their decisions on.

"This gives First Nations community members the same information all other Canadians have with their local municipal, provincial and federal governments," he said. "We think it is entirely consistent and to do any less would be inappropriate."

Deninu Ku'e First Nation (DKFN) band member Angela McKay said she has no problem with the proposed act.

"I think it's a good thing that they are allowing it to go public," she said.

McKay said the more open and transparent the band is with discussing where money is being spent, the more informed band members will become.

"What's wrong with showing people what you make? You shouldn't have anything to hide from your people," she said.

DKFN Chief Louis Balsillie said the issue of releasing chief and councillor salaries came up in an assembly a few years ago.

"One of the councillors spoke up and said it was her private right (not to have her salary disclosed) and she didn't want it exposed," he said. "We give the financial statements about everything that goes on at the band, but the councillors don't put their (salaries) in."

Balsillie said financial statements – detailing where money is being brought in and how it is being spent – are available for members to view in the band office. However, he said he can't remember anyone ever requesting that information.

"I'm not hearing anything bad about it from community members," he said.

McKay, though, said she has experienced some resistance when she has asked to see the band's finances, adding it is something members talk about in the community.

"It's a big issue around here," she said.

Band councils currently provide the federal government with audited financial statements, which include the salaries paid to officials, along with the band's travel expenses.

Duncan said now each band will be required to publish its audited financial statements on its own website, or on the website of a partner organization. The documents will also be made available on the AANDC website when they are received by the department.

Block, MP for Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar, was alongside Duncan as he introduced the act.

"I introduced Bill C-575 a year ago and I introduced that bill as a result of concerns and complaints I heard from the members of First Nations communities," said Block, adding she received "hundreds" of letters and emails from band members across Canada, who were frustrated by their stunted attempts to access financial documents.

Duncan said he does not expect the bill to be passed before the end of the year.

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