Since the assent of the First Nations Financial Transparency Act (FNFTA), a number of First Nations throughout Canada have been disclosing audited financial statements, and remuneration information on chiefs and councils, as per the requirements of the law.
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development’s website describes the legislation for the act as part of a commitment in the government’s 2011 Speech from the Throne to support democracy, transparency, and accountability among First Nations governments.
Out of the First Nations communities in the St. Paul area, Saddle Lake, Whitefish (Goodfish) Lake, and Frog Lake First Nation have all disclosed financial statements and remuneration information online.
Kehewin Cree Nation, and Onion Lake Cree Nation in Saskatchewan, near the Alberta border, have yet to disclose their financial information.
Chief Leonard Jackson of Saddle Lake told the Journal in an email that he had no comment on the matter of the FNFTA.
Chief Eric Gadwa of Kehewin and Chief James Jackson of Goodfish Lake were contacted, but were unavailable for comment on the matter before the Journal’s deadline.
Multiple attempts to contact chiefs and councils of Onion Lake and Frog Lake were unsuccessful.
According to the website for Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC), the act requires First Nations communities to make financial information available to all their members.
In addition to being available for residents of First Nations, the financial statements and Schedule of Remuneration and Expenses are also required to be made available on AANDC’s website, where they are available to the public.
According to financial information from Saddle Lake, the salary for Chief Leonard Jackson, for the year ending March 31, 2014, is $59,000. Other remunerations come to a total of $13,194, with expenses totaling $36,615.
Salaries for band councilors for Saddle Lake ranged from $12,000 to over $52,000 a year, depending on the length of the term served.
Financial information from Goodfish Lake lists Chief James Jackson’s salary for the year, ending March 31, 2014, at $89,152, with $4,088 in benefits, and $36,653 in accommodations and mileage.
Salaries for band councilors for Goodfish Lake ranged between $78,000 to just over $84,000.
According to financial information from Frog Lake, the salary for Chief Clifford Stanley is listed as $65,000 a year, with $85,050 in travel expenses.
Salaries for the band councillors for Frog Lake ranged between $5,000 and $65,000, depending on the length of the term served.
Financial information includes audited consolidated financial statements, the Schedule of Remuneration and Expenses, the auditor’s written report on the consolidated financial statements, and the auditor’s report or the review engagement report on the Schedule of Remuneration and Expenses.
Nationally, the legislation has faced some criticism from chiefs, who state they are already accountable to their nations, and the act is excessive and intrusive in providing the information to the general public.
Another criticism is that the disclosures can endanger businesses on reservations, disclosing potentially sensitive business information.
Some of the reports revealed stark discrepancies in the case of certain reservations, leading to controversy over the finances.
One of such discrepancies was found with Chief Ron Giesbrecht of Kwikwetlem First Nation in Coquitlam, B.C., who was revealed to have earned almost $1 million last year.
Giesbrecht made $4,800 as chief, and $80,000 as economic development officer, last year. He made a bonus as economic development officer having earned $800,000 based on how much economic activity he brought to the reservation of 81 people.
Westlock-St. Paul MP Brian Storseth said the act is beneficial and necessary, and described it as “the basics of transparency.”
“All levels of government should be transparent and have access, whether town council, provincial government, federal government or First Nations,” he said.
“It’s important, so your electorate knows where you’re spending the taxpayers’ money. This law was put in place so First Nations band members have access to information on basic financial practices. The same process is in place for the federal government.”
