Good on you Canadian Taxpayers Federation!

Good Day Readers:

We find it a tad ironic, to say the least, it took the CTF to finally develop this something that should have been done many years ago! Where have you been Government of Canada?

After reading recently about Chief Shirley Clarke of Nova Scotia's Glooscap First Nations Nations $209,000 salary in the National Post (Plus God knows what other perks!) with it's mere 300 residents we wondered, "If an income survey were done of members what would the average be?" Our educated guess - a significant majority would be at or below the poverty line.

Sincerely,
Clare L. Pieuk
__________________________________________________
ReserveTransparency.ca

If you're fed up with the fact that many reserve politicians are able to keep their financial information hidden from the public, then you've come to the right place!

This web site was set up to:

* Provide all Canadians with information on what they can do about the lack of transparency on reserves
* Inform band members as to their legal right to band financial information
* Provide band members with information on how they can apply for audit & salary information (current federal information laws do not require bands to disclose band audit details to non-band members)

Scroll down to find out more!

"I am glad to see that there is a band transparency website being launched, it's unfortunate that it's necessary, however that is the sad reality of many First Nations Bands these days." - Annie Brass, Kawacatoose
First Nation Band Member, Saskatchewan

Read more

How to Get Your Band Council's Pay Information

The Department of Indian and Northern Affairs clearly says on its web site that band members have the legal right to get copies of their Chief and council's pay information.

The CTF was told by the federal government that if your Chief and council refuse to release this information, band members can get it by emailing the National Allegations and Complaints Coordinator.

Send an email to the National Allegations and Complaints Coordinator - CNAP-NACC@ainc-inac.gc.ca - and copy our office - bandinforequest@taxpayer.com. If you don't receive the information, we'll try and help you raise a stink.

Don't know what to ask for? Click here to view a sample request.

Those looking for 2008-09 data can find nation-wide figures by clicking here.

How to Get Other Audit Information

According to the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs' web site, band members have the right to audits and other financial information. You can get it by filing a simple Access to Information form. Just like requests for band council pay information, we recommend carbon copying our organization when making such requests.

Click here for an Access to Information Form and details on how to apply.

What All Canadians Can Do to Push for Improved Transparency

After helping grassroots band members blow the whistle on several exorbitant chief and council pay situations, a Member of Parliament responded to our call for greater transparency.

Kelly Block, the Conservative Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Rosetown Biggar, tabled bill C-575 - the First Nations Financial Transparency Act - in October, 2010. If passed, it would give the federal government the legal authority to post chief and council pay information on the internet for all Canadians to see.

The bill is a big step in the right direction, but it's not perfect. It would only require bands to disclose payments to chiefs and councillors that come from federal funds. Thus, the online information would not include funds received from casinos, gas stations and other band-owned enterprises.

That is why the Canadian Taxpayers Federation is urging all parties to amend the bill so that all public funds (federal funds AND band funds) be disclosed online. Placing the data online would allow band members to access the information anonymously and protect them from retribution for speaking out.

To date, the Liberal Party of Canada and the NDP have indicated they will oppose the bill as it stands right now.

If you're concerned about the status quo, then contact all three parties and urge them to pass the amendments recommended by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. If enough of us speak out, they'll have no choice but to listen!

Click here to find your Member of Parliament contact information.

Information Request Tracking

Below is a table of information requests made by band members to the federal government. The list below is not a complete list of all requests made, only requests the CTF has been copied on or made aware of.

Reserve / Province / Information Request Type / Date Request Made / Status

Misipawistik Cree Nation MB Audit Documents April, 2010 Received
Tatasweyak Cree Nation MB Chief and Council Salary Info April 7, 2010 Received
Kawacatoose First Nation SK Chief and Council Salary Info April 10, 2010 Received
Sioux Valley Dakota FN MB Chief and Council Salary Info April 19, 2010 Received
Waterhen Lake First Nation SK Chief and Council Salary Info April 26, 2010 Pending
Wabauskang First Nation ON Chief and Council Salary Info May 4, 2010 Pending
Beardy's & Okemasis SK Chief and Council Salary Info May 5, 2010 Pending
Cote First Nation SK Chief and Council Salary Info May 6, 2010 Pending
Mishkeegogamang F.N. ON Chief and Council Salary Info May 10, 2010 Pending
Metepenagiag First Nation NB Chief and Council Salary Info May 15, 2010 Pending
Sandy Bay First Nation MB Chief and Council Salary Info May 25, 2010 Pending
Listuguj First Nation QC Chief and Council Salary Info May 26, 2010 Pending
Piikani First Nation AB Chief and Council Salary Info May 31, 2010 Pending
Williams Lake First Nation BC Chief and Council Salary Info June 22, 2010 Pending
Beaver First Nation AB Chief and Council Salary Info June 30, 2010 Received
Rama First Nation ON Chief and Council Salary Info July 25, 2010 Pending
Pacheedaht First Nation BC Chief and Council Salary Info August 16, 2010 Partial
Kitamaat First Nation BC Chief and Council Salary Info Sept. 21, 2010 Pending
Fisher River Cree Nation ON Audit Statements October 31, 2010 Pending
Ebb and Flow First Nation MB Chief and Council Salary Info November 2, 2010 Pending
Keeseekoose First Nation SK C & C Salary Info/Audit Docs November 16, 2010 Pending