As the CTF noted in this blog entry, we recently received audit documents from the Peguis reserve in Manitoba showing band council members have been grossly overpaying themselves. The Chief and his four councillors - paid themselves between $174,230-$251,747 for the year ended March 31, 2009.
Well folks, as we pointed out before, those figures are of course income tax free as they were 'earned' by band members living on reserve. Here are some estimates as to what their salaries represent off reserve - in other words, the amounts the average Canadian would have to earn to make the same amount:
Chief Glenn Hudson - $295k
Councillor Mary Sutherland - $316k
Councillor Glen Cochrane - $369K
Councillor Darlene Bird - $382K
Councillor Glennis Sutherland - $373K
By contrast, the Prime Minister of Canada, who serves a population of over 33,000,000 people, earned approximately $310k over the same period; all but the Chief, who serves a community of 7,200, made more than our PM.
However, even that is questionable as he racked up $32,151 in travel during the period and other documents provided to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, suggest he made considerably more.
I what the conditions are like for the average Peguis reserve resident?
Is Canada Off Track?
Canada has problems. You see them at gas station. You see them at the grocery store. You see them on your taxes.
Is anyone listening to you to find out where you think Canada’s off track and what you think we could do to make things better?
You can tell us what you think by filling out the survey