Peguis Band Council members paid themselves equivalent of $295,000-$439,000 per year

Feds should post band council pay online for reserves nation-wide

WINNIPEG: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) called for improved transparency today after releasing documents provided to the CTF showing the Chief and Council of the Peguis Reserve (7,200 people) in northern Manitoba have been making more than the Prime Minister of Canada.

"Unfortunately, stories like this are a dime a dozen," said Colin Craig, Prairie Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. "It shouldn't take a brown envelope dropped off at a CTF office to make these huge salary figures public. The salaries for all band council members nation-wide should be posted on the federal government's web site."

The CTF noted that published compensation for the band council members is income tax free. According to section 87 of the Indian Act, any money earned on reserve is income tax free. The following table shows how much off reserve Canadians would have to earn in order to take home the same amount of pay.

Peguis Band Remuneration

The CTF noted that Prime Minister Harper made approximately $301,600 in 2007 and $310,800 in 2008.

"Stories like this are never going to go away unless Canadians start calling their MPs," added Craig. "Billions of dollars are transferred to reserves each year, unfortunately we often hear that the dollars aren't reaching those that need them."

Click here to view the 2007-08 band council pay.

Click here to view the 2008-09 band council pay.