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OTTAWA
Liberal Senator Nick Sibbeston walked out of the Senate's aboriginal committee meeting on the First Nations Financial Transparency Act last week - and he says he's not going back.

"I've decided I'm not going to attend any more committee meetings that deal with this bill," Sibbeston said. "It's really an objection with the fact that there wasn't sufficient consultation."

The act will require First Nations governments to make financial records public, including expenses and salaries of chiefs and councillors.

Sibbeston, who is from the Northwest Territories, said he agrees with the bill and making First Nations governments more transparent and accountable.

"It will provide for band members being able to see financial reports of the band and their companies," he said. "Not just the money they get from government, but any other sources of money."

He also said the act represents the same level of transparency operated by other governments.

"It's nothing new and there isn't a higher requirement asked of band councils than other levels of government," he said.

But, Sibbeston said he doesn't agree with the methods being used to implement the bill. Sibbeston said he asked Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan if he had consulted with First Nations about the bill and was told that the minister had sent out letters to First Nations governments across Canada when the bill was first introduced to the House of Commons.

Duncan was not available for an interview before press time, but his press secretary sent e-mailed responses to questions from News/North.

"Upon introduction of C-27, Minister Duncan wrote to all chiefs enclosing a copy of the bill and inviting them to contact the Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development committee to take part in the parliamentary process," the e-mail stated.

Sibbeston said he doesn't believe sending letters is a sufficient form of consultation.

"Certainly it's not writing letters and thinking you've consulted," he said. "There needs to be a meeting, there needs to be discussion."

Sibbeston said he asked Duncan to withdraw the bill for at least six months to allow for meetings between First Nations and the federal government.

He said the recent Idle No More protests and Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence's hunger strike have underlined the need for a better working relationship between government and First Nations.

Two other aboriginal senators, New Brunswick's Sandra Nicholas and Senator Lillian Dyck from Saskatchewan walked out of the meeting with Sibbeston.

"The three of us aboriginal senators decided to walk out," Sibbeston said. "To support First Nations in our country, we decided to just leave and not continue further on the committee for the time being."

An e-mail from Duncan's office condemned the senators' actions and said the act will give First Nations the power to hold their governments responsible for spending.

"First Nations have asked for greater accountability and transparency for public funds. Our government has responded to these calls for greater transparency and accountability with Bill C-27 - a bill that will give First Nations members the tools they need to hold their band governments accountable," the e-mail stated. "We're disappointed that the Liberals are more interested in political grandstanding than supporting transparency and accountability for First Nations people."

Sibbeston said he will address concerns again when the bill has its third reading.

"During third reading I will speak again and raise the issues of consultation," he said.

Sibbeston said he hopes the walkout will highlight the importance of consultation between the federal government and First Nations governments.

"I was hoping the government would have been more responsive," he said. "We at least, as senators, can stand up with the First Nations in our country and do what we can."

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