APTN National News
OTTAWA-The Conservative government appears poised to introduce a bill to force First Nations chiefs and band councillors to publicly disclose their salaries.
Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan is expected to introduce a bill Wednesday titled, An Act to enhance the financial accountability and transparency of First Nations.
The title of the bill echoes the title of a private member’s bill introduced by Saskatchewan Conservative MP Kelly Block before the last federal election.
Block’s bill would have required the publishing of all federally-funded chief and council expenses and salaries by the beginning of August every year.
The minister of Aboriginal affairs would publish the information if a band council refused to comply.
Block’s bill, titled An Act respecting the accountability and enhanced financial transparency of elected officials of First Nations communities, died on the order paper when the previous minority Conservative government fell.
Duncan and Block are scheduled to hold a press conference in Saskatchewan at 4:30 p.m. local time at the Whitecap Dakota First Nations’ administrative office.
Block’s bill had the support at the time of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and the Nishnawbe Aski Nation in northern Ontario.
First Nations chiefs passed a resolution agreeing to publish their salaries and expenses during an Assembly of First Nations meeting in Gatineau, Quebec, last December.
The resolution, however, also blasted Block’s bill, calling it “unnecessary” and “heavy-handed.”
