After pushing for disclosure of Chief and Council pay disclosure, and annual band audited financial statements since 2009, the CTF is pleased to see the docs are finally being posted online!
Disclosure of such info is a basic component of any democracy. Kudos to the Harper government for listening.
For those looking to take a closer look at the info posted, here are a couple thoughts/useful links...
START HERE:
This is the page you want to start on. From here you can drill down into any aboriginal community in Canada and find all kinds of info -
http://pse5-esd5.ainc-inac.gc.ca/fnp/Main/Search/SearchFF.aspx?lang=eng
Beside each community's name you'll see "FNFTA" - click on it, then click "OK" and you'll either find the community's financial info is posted or a "not yet posted" message. The latter obviously means the bureaucrats haven't had a chance to scan and post the info yet or the band hasn't handed it in yet. Remember, the deadline was yesterday (July 29). New docs seem to be posted each hour.
BY COMPARISON:
Keep in mind that the pay figures you see are almost always tax-free. To figure out what that works out to for someone off reserve and paying income taxes, try using this EY Income tax calculator (formerly Ernst and Young).
http://www.ey.com/ca/en/services/tax/tax-calculators-2014-personal-tax
To find out the community's population, instead of clicking on "FNFTA," click on the band's name and then on the "Registered Pop." That link will provide you with an on reserve/off reserve population breakdown.
WHAT ABOUT OTHER POLITICIANS?:
Some claim aboriginal politicians are being held to a higher standard. That's nonsense. Politicians off reserves have had their pay posted and available to the public for years. Now aboriginal politicians are being brought in-line with such disclosure. For example:
Federal MPs - click here
Provincial Politicians - click here (Manitoba example)
Municipal Politicians - click here (Assortment of Manitoba examples)
However, even with the disclosure of aboriginal politicians' pay, we still don't know much about their travel expenses. In some cases bands record travel expenses as straight up reimbursement for expenses. However, other bands will sometimes include per diems in this category as well - like if you were paid $250 per day to attend a conference. Thus, there's still room for improvement.
WHAT HAPPENS IF BANDS DON'T POST THE INFO?:
The federal government has the authority to cut back or withhold funding.
WHO HAS POSTED:
July 29 was the deadline for band's to hand their financial info in to the federal government. There is likely an army of bureaucrats reviewing documents and scanning them as we speak...err type. In the mean time, it's a bit like a needle in a haystack to find info...but here are 125 or so that we know are posted so far:
BRITISH COLUMBIA:
Adams Lake
Alexis Creek
Ashcroft
Canim Lake
Cheslatta Carrier
Dzawada'nuxw
Gwawaenuk
Gwa'Sala-Nakwaxda'xw
Haisla
Kanaka Bar
Katzie
Kitasoo
Klahoose
Kwakiutl
Kwantlen
Kwadacha
Kwikwetlem
Lower Kootenay
Lower Similkameen
Lyackson
Lytton
Moricetown
Mount Currie
Musqueam
Nadlehwhuten
Nak'azdli
Nanoose
Nee-Tahi-Buhn
Neskonlith
Okanagan
Old Massett
Osoyoos
Pauquachin
Prophet River
Qualicum
Quatsino – fin. statements only
Samahquam
Seton Lake
Shxw'ow'hamel
Simpcw
Siska
Snuneymuxw
Seabird Island
Shackan
Shawahlook
Skeetchestn
Skwah
Sliammon
Soda Creek
Soowahlie
Splatsin
Spuzzum
St. Mary's
Stellat'en
Sts'ailes
Stswecem'c
Stz'uminus
Sumas
Tk'emlups
Tlatlasikwala
Tsartlip
Tsleil-Waututh
Tzeachten
Whispering Pines/Clinton
Williams Lake
Xeni Gwe'in – fin. statements only
Xgat'tem
Yunest'in
ALBERTA:
Alexis Nakota Sioux
Alexander
Dene Tha'
Driftpile
Fort McMurray
Kapawe'no
Little Red River Cree Nation
Louis Bull
O'Chiese
Peerless Trout
Piikani Little
Samson
Smith's Landing
Swan River
Tallcree
SASKATCHEWAN:
Big River
Cumberland House Cree Nation
George Gordon
Kahkewistahaw
Kinistin Saulteaux Nation
Mistawasis
Muskeg Lake Cree Nation
Pheasant Rump
Piapot
Saulteaux
Standing Buffalo
Sweetgrass
Thunderchild – fin. Statements only
White Bear
MANITOBA:
Black River
Buffalo Point
Gamblers
Keeseekoowenin
Lake Manitoba
Mathias Colomb
Rolling River
ONTARIO:
Atikameksheng Anishnawbek - Only fin. statements
Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek
Deer Lake
Lac La Croix
Michipicoten
Mississauga
Mississauga's of Scugog Island First Nation - Only financial statements
Moravian of the Thames
Poplar River
Sagamok Anishnawbek
Temagami
QUEBEC:
Conseil des Atikamekw de Wemotaci
Innu Takuaikan Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam
Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg
La Nation Micmac de Gespeg
Montagnais du Lac St.-Jean
Mohawks of Kahnawá:ke
Nation Huronne Wendat
Première Nation Malecite de Viger
ATLANTIC:
St. Mary's
YUKON:
Taku River Tlingit
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