EDMONTON—The Assembly of First Nations has passed a resolution to release salaries, public accounts, and expenses of First Nation elected officials.
The non-binding Accountability resolution was passed during the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Special Chiefs Assembly held last week in Gatineau, Quebec.
“We stand strong and united to say that First Nations are not only not afraid of change and transparency—we are blazing the trail forward,” Shawn Atleo, AFN National Chief, said in an AFN statement.
“I applaud the Chiefs who demonstrated that, despite unfounded and alarmist attacks by our critics, First Nations fully believe in accountability and transparency and are dealing with this issue head on,” he said.
The resolution was adopted after recent reports by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) showing high salaries received by First Nation politicians in 2008-2009.
The reports said that over 600 reserve politicians received tax-free average salaries equivalent to $100,000 off reserve, and that around 160 politicians were paid more than the premiers of their province.
One Atlantic Canada politician was paid $978,468 tax free in 2008-09, the reports say. CTF based its calculations on data released by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.
CTF is lobbying to have the Parliament pass private members Bill C-575 that would allow the federal government to publicize salaries of First Nation chiefs and councillors. The bill was introduced by Tory MP Kelly Block.
Kevin Gaudet, the federal director of CTF, said the wording of the AFN resolution allows politicians to not disclose their salaries.
“They promised to do this in the past; they have not kept that promise. So the Kelly Block bill will ensure that it gets done,” he said.
AFN has disputed the CTF’s claims and says their calculations are not accurate as they have included reimbursements for accrued expenses as part of salaries.
According to AFN, the average salary of First Nation elected officials is $36,845, and only 114 politicians earn over $100,000.
AFN opposes Bill C-575, arguing it “favours the further transfer of accountability away from First Nations,” according to a report they published in response to CTF.
“This is not a solution, it is a short-sighted reaction to alarmist headlines.”
Calls to AFN seeking comment were not returned by press time.
Last week, the newly elected head of Nunavut’s Inuit land-claim organization cut $20,000 from her own salary and also turned down some of the other benefits offered with her job that include a company car and housing reserved for the organization’s president, CBC reported.
“When I became the president, it was never about benefitting from the corporation. It was about public service to the people and the Inuit of Nunavut,” she told CBC.
The non-binding Accountability resolution was passed during the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Special Chiefs Assembly held last week in Gatineau, Quebec.
“We stand strong and united to say that First Nations are not only not afraid of change and transparency—we are blazing the trail forward,” Shawn Atleo, AFN National Chief, said in an AFN statement.
“I applaud the Chiefs who demonstrated that, despite unfounded and alarmist attacks by our critics, First Nations fully believe in accountability and transparency and are dealing with this issue head on,” he said.
The resolution was adopted after recent reports by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) showing high salaries received by First Nation politicians in 2008-2009.
The reports said that over 600 reserve politicians received tax-free average salaries equivalent to $100,000 off reserve, and that around 160 politicians were paid more than the premiers of their province.
One Atlantic Canada politician was paid $978,468 tax free in 2008-09, the reports say. CTF based its calculations on data released by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.
CTF is lobbying to have the Parliament pass private members Bill C-575 that would allow the federal government to publicize salaries of First Nation chiefs and councillors. The bill was introduced by Tory MP Kelly Block.
Kevin Gaudet, the federal director of CTF, said the wording of the AFN resolution allows politicians to not disclose their salaries.
“They promised to do this in the past; they have not kept that promise. So the Kelly Block bill will ensure that it gets done,” he said.
AFN has disputed the CTF’s claims and says their calculations are not accurate as they have included reimbursements for accrued expenses as part of salaries.
According to AFN, the average salary of First Nation elected officials is $36,845, and only 114 politicians earn over $100,000.
AFN opposes Bill C-575, arguing it “favours the further transfer of accountability away from First Nations,” according to a report they published in response to CTF.
“This is not a solution, it is a short-sighted reaction to alarmist headlines.”
Calls to AFN seeking comment were not returned by press time.
Last week, the newly elected head of Nunavut’s Inuit land-claim organization cut $20,000 from her own salary and also turned down some of the other benefits offered with her job that include a company car and housing reserved for the organization’s president, CBC reported.
“When I became the president, it was never about benefitting from the corporation. It was about public service to the people and the Inuit of Nunavut,” she told CBC.
