Apparently Millionaire Chief Ron Giesbrecht will answer some questions tomorrow on his future as leader of the Kwikwetlem First Nation. A growing number of Kwikwetlem members are calling on him to resign.
Respectfully, allow us to offer 13 questions the Chief still hasn’t answered publicly:
- Was Chief Giesbrecht involved with the decision to put into a contract a 10% 'bonus' for the former economic development officer?
- How was the Chief selected to replace the former economic development officer? Was it advertised? Did the council vote to hire him?
- What communication was there with band members over the Chief's hiring and the award of the bonus?
- Was the Chief aware of the bonus structure before taking on the role? Did he disclose it to the Band council or membership?
- Did the Chief obtain a legal opinion to determine if his actions were above board before accepting the bonus? Or the role?
- Was the Chief also acting as temporary band manager when either the decision to take over as economic development officer was made, or when the $800,000 cheque was cut?
- Did the Chief sign the $800,000 cheque to himself? Who else signed it?
- Did the elected Band Council know that this cheque was being issued? Did the members?
- The Chief’s press release claims he was paid $4,800 for being chief, plus $80,000 for being economic development officer, and $800,000 as a bonus. That totals $884,800. But the disclosure records his pay as $914,219. Where’s the other $30,000? Is the Chief’s accounting accurate?
- Who made the decision to hire a PR firm this weekend? What is that costing? Is the band paying it? Or is the Chief paying it?
- How much money has been paid out in previous years as bonuses to economic development officers?
- What was the $8 million for? Where did it come from? Was it indeed from the provincial government? Did the band still make a significant profit, or was it eaten up by the Chief’s commission?
- Is he sorry? Is he willing to return that money to the band?