Manitoba chief thinks Transparency Act good, but unnecessary

The deadline is fast approaching for Canada's First Nations officials to become more transparent.

When news broke five years ago that some band councillors were making more money than Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation demanded action and accountability.

Under the Financial Transparency Act, which passed in 2013, First Nations are required to post the financial statements, salaries, and chiefs expenses online and they have until just midnight Tuesday to do it.

• First Nations divided on new Financial Transparency Act
• First Nation chiefs' salaries due to be posted under act

David Crate, chief of Fisher River Cree Nation, said his staff has already been posting financial information on the reserve's website for the last eight years.

The bill itself I think its good because it sets out requirements which will support the work that weve done locally in our community, Crate said at an annual gathering of all of Manitoba's 63 chiefs. [It] basically just supports the requirement for reporting to our members.

While Crate said he supports the new bill, he also doesn't think it's necessary.

"I don't think we require government to do that, I think you know we'll do our work,"he said. "You know [well] set it up and get it approved by our members that's the way it should be."

First NationChief Betsy Kennedy saidher financial records are already available at the band office, but not yet online.

"Well it's up to the community members to do that," said Kennedy. "If it's the communities wishes, Iwill do that."

The Assembly of First Nations came out in opposition to the bill, but theCanadian Taxpayers Federation said Ottawa's new rules to make First Nations officialsmore transparent is long overdue.

"We are pretty ecstatic as an organization we started pushing for it back in 2009," saidColin Craig, prairie director with the Canadian Taxpayers Federation,

Colin Craig saidall politicians need to be transparent and accountable.

Craig saidhe hasheard stories of band members asking for financials and being refusedor even bullied.

"We certainly have heard from people living on reserves over the years that they have tried to find out how much their politicians are making and have been refused," said Craig. "There have been all kinds of excuses we have heard, and even some sad stories of people being bullied for poking up their heads and asking questions."

Craig said the new legislation also gives members of the public a chance to access the information anonymously.

Only 20 of more than 600 First Nations have had financial statements posted online thus far.

Those First Nations officials who refuse to comply could face a court order or see fundingwithheld.