Many First Nations politicians made more than Harper, group claims
Monday, October 22, 2012 by: SooToday.com Staff
NEWS RELEASE
CANADIAN TAXPAYERS FEDERATION
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Time to shine light on reserve politicians
CTF presenting in favour of C-27
OTTAWA, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) will be affirming its support of Bill C-27 this afternoon during a presentation to the Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development committee (Room 362, East Block @ 4:30 p.m.).
Bill C-27, if passed, would put the salaries of chiefs and councilors on the internet for all to see.
“The bottom line is politicians, regardless of race or level of government, should have to disclose their pay to the public,” said [the] CTF's prairie director.
“Greater transparency on aboriginal reserves will help separate the good apples from the bad ones.”
The CTF has been pushing hard for the tabling of such a bill over the past three years as it has exposed numerous cases of wild salaries on aboriginal reserves such as Peguis First Nation (Manitoba), Enoch Cree Nation (Alberta), Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (Saskatchewan), Glooscap First Nation (Nova Scotia), Piapot First Nation (Saskatchewan), Crane River (Manitoba), Acadia First Nation (Nova Scotia) and Annapolis Valley (No va Scotia) to name a few.
Documents obtained by the CTF through Access to Information requests (ATI) also exposed how approximately 50 reserve politicians made more than the Prime Minister of Canada in 2008-09.
In many of these cases band members had no idea their politicians were making so much money.
During the committee presentation the CTF will be making four recommendations for implementation and amendments to the bill:
• Post the salary and audit information going back five years
• Put all audit documents online, not just annual audit documents
• Clarify that funds noted in the travel column of chief and council pay sheets should not include pay for attending off reserve meetings; those funds should be reported in the salary or honorarium column; and
• Funds chiefs and councilors receive for sitting on band partner entities like tribal councils and provincial bodies should be included in pay reports
“Overwhelmingly we’ve heard from people living on and off reserves that this legislation is long overdue,” added Craig. “Taxpayers appreciate MP Kelly Block’s effort to get the ball rolling with her private members bill as well as the government’s current legislation.”
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Prrrrrrr 10/22/2012 10:35:24 AM ReportThat's not unreasonable!
67Tanger 10/22/2012 10:43:59 AM ReportI salute Mr Harper....it is about time!
Ginga 10/22/2012 11:31:37 AM ReportA good thing indeed maybe they should reduce their salaries and give back to the rez
moem 10/22/2012 12:03:38 PM ReportMany govt or govt funded agencies have people earning more than the PM, our SAH CEO comes close at 300,000 plus taxable benefits, the VP/CFO at OLG makes over 400k, and there are others, it's terrible the disparity between the haves and the have nots, and the gap is certainly widening!!!
speed7 10/22/2012 12:27:31 PM Report C-27 is a good idea.
fatafr 10/22/2012 12:32:56 PM ReportThere's no reason on God's green earth that this Bill should not pass. It is long, long, long over due. With a majority Conservative government, it should pass; the liberals and the ndp will no doubt support the opposition to B-27. Just watch and see.
Transparency and accountability is what it's all about. But beyond that, the question that begs to be answered; these chiefs and band councillors are NOT heads of corporations. These chiefs are not in positions of multi-million dollar decision making. Many believe that these chiefs are gouging a system that is drastically broken. These chiefs are taking tax payers money and, many might say, ripping off Canadians and their very own people. Many would say, it's nothing short of highway robbery and it's time the buck stops here.
Christina216 10/22/2012 12:33:59 PM ReportAbout time...maybe now band members can see where the money goes. maybe now people wont think that all natives get everything handed to them...maybe
fatafr 10/22/2012 12:35:33 PM ReportSorry, I meant Bill C-27.
JUSTANOTHERNAME 10/22/2012 1:57:43 PM ReportI don't know the inner workings of the Bands money management systems so I have a question for those that could answer it. How is it no one from the Reservations know how much the Chief is compensated yearly. Is there not any transperancy within the Reservations funding even to band members?
fatafr 10/22/2012 2:51:43 PM ReportMaybe, as taxpayers, we question where politicians are spending our tax dollars and should be very upset when we see it spent foolishly and some times even, borderline, illegally. But these individuals on reserves are not paying these chiefs and councillors with their own money so naturally, they would not be as up in arms as the rest of us Canadians.
Could it be just that simple a reason ??
I certainly think so.
Christina216 10/22/2012 3:11:01 PM ReportOkay fatafr..all natives on reserve dont work and dont pay taxes...lol thats what your "opinion" states to me. obviously you dont know what your talking about..
BlackHelix 10/22/2012 3:39:06 PM ReportUnder section 87 of the Indian Act all personal property-including income-situated on a reserve, that property is exempt from tax. So what tax are you talking about?
Christina216 10/22/2012 3:42:15 PM ReportIncome situated on reserve...yes that means if you work ON the reserve there are no taxes..BUT if you work off reserve same taxes are deducted from your pay cheque as everyone else.
BlackHelix 10/22/2012 3:45:09 PM ReportExactly. He said that these individuals on reserves don't have to pay taxes and you claimed that he doesn't know what he's talking about...So i'll ask again What taxes are they required to pay?
Neon_Angel 10/22/2012 3:45:49 PM ReportI think this article highlights why this bill is a good idea :
http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/12/09/mark-milke-crunching-attawapiskats-numbers/
BlackHelix 10/22/2012 3:47:40 PM ReportAlso note that income tax is just one type of tax. Sales and property taxes are exempt regardless of where you work (in this case)
moem 10/22/2012 4:37:33 PM ReportNatives don't pay income tax if they live and work on the reserve, they also pay 5% on goods, and as far as I know they pay tax on their off reserve property....,so unless they live and work on the reserve the only tax they are exempt from is the 8%, given their history of abuse, racism and oppression it doesn't seem all that unreasonable!!!
Christina216 10/22/2012 5:01:45 PM ReportThanks moem..now i dont have to type that..
ackw 10/22/2012 5:43:09 PM ReportMaybe Harper should should get a raise since non of these people actually work. APPLES 2 apples
moem 10/22/2012 6:45:26 PM ReportNo problem Christina216 my pleasure!!! And by these people don't work I hope you mean politicians in general not the chiefs ackw!!! Christina216 you may want to jump in at dome point in the comments about the Indian Act bring changed, you seem to offer some reasonable and intelligent insight!!!
moem 10/22/2012 6:46:09 PM ReportDamn iPhone that's some point not dome point lol
geterdun 10/22/2012 8:06:29 PM ReportOh they sure have a ton of excuses to not show how much they are paying themselves......We constantly hear that many natives are living in poverty without water and proper housing.....So how can these individuals taking 100 of thousands of tax payers money for selves, even speak about the injustices to Natives??????? Please......Hypocrits sound familiar???????? Their scared to show the real facts........!!!!!!!!!
moem 10/22/2012 8:23:32 PM ReportThe same can be said for all politicians... And some public service employees, I remember when the OW workers were on strike in Toronto over a wage increase when the city couldn't afford more increases, then the people who relied on a cheque had to go pick it up and face little battles at the picket lines, it was awful to see bc those issuing the cheques only had jobs bc of those in need and to see them take their frustration out on people getting less than 600 a month, not to mention they also wanted to be able to get paid out or retire on their ridiculous number of accrued sick days, the government keeps making cuts to programs and hurting those who need services the most, while they continue to draw large salaries for very little actual work time!!
speed7 10/22/2012 8:29:38 PM ReportI spoke to a native on here who explained to me that the elders are kept secluded. They arent involved in anything. The leaders have multiple houses up north and down south, many cars, a trailer, a buisneses, boats, ect ect. And those poor people have to live in those poor conditions. Where's the justice there?
moem 10/22/2012 8:53:27 PM ReportSpeed7
Then you spoke to one who doesn't really understand their culture, the Elders are very involved with their people, they are highly respected and revered but they are not secluded or isolated,
I highly recommend that the people who dont understand the culture or who see first nations people as " these people" or people who don't work or are exempted from tax and don't contribute to society, educate themselves maybe by simply attending a powwow! It is truly a moving experience, attending a sunrise ceremony would also be an eye opener. First nations people have a true respect for the land that most people don't have, when they take from the land they offer something back... I agree there are some chiefs who have clearly misspent money that was meant to improve life on the reserves but they are not all like that. Most work very hard for their people! There are some amazing programs that take place on the reserves here as well as through the IFC, I spent Aboriginal day in Garden River I had a great time and felt welcomed by the people there, you can learn a lot when you listen to others and open your eyes and your mind
geterdun 10/22/2012 9:31:25 PM ReportIts not about pow wows its about MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If they dont have nothing to hide then cough up the numbers.....its that easy no??? I dont think it will really matter anyway they will continue to steal the money,they will just find better ways to hide it....:)
moem 10/22/2012 10:38:01 PM ReportCheck out the sunshine lists for Ontario see how many people, not natives or chiefs make more than the PM, how do you feel about the vp of OLC making over 400, or the CEO at SAH making over 300 while we suffer from a shitty healthcare system and wait for hours at emerg bc citizens here have been on waiting lists for a dr for 12 years!!! The number of public service employees here making over 100 k is unimaginable, look it up you might be surprised
Ginga 10/22/2012 10:51:26 PM ReportI wish as many do for the treaty to be abolished.. If everybody was equal and everybody paid their share fair in taxes we would have nothing to Argue about And just think with all that money think what we could Actually do like improve services schools etc... Treaty is getting old and we are getting tired.. I approve of the new bill, Bring it out for everybody to see
moem 10/22/2012 11:53:07 PM ReportWe could continue to argue about the blatant racism, we can keep giving and giving to first nations and after all that giving we still will not have righted the wrong done to them!!
moem 10/23/2012 12:15:22 AM Report I wonder if the people who post the negative comments about Aboriginal people would be so open with their opinions if they were standing among a group of them somewhere,
I don't use my name on here but not bc I fear society's most vulnerable people ( I've stood at sherbourne and queen and handed out stems at 2 am to help prevent the spread of hepatitis ) I'm more afraid of the over zealous posters on here who disagree w my views and talk about their remingtons and 357s who might pose a risk to my baby, but I would say anything I post on here face to face with anyone given the opportunity, I stand up for what I believe in and stand behind everything I say, for those who have issues with all the "free stuff" first nations people get why not walk into the IFC or the garden river community centre and let them know how unfair it is
We all have different opinions but I don't name call, use stereotypes, or paint all people with the same brush, and I certainly don't use racism to try and make my point
speed7 10/23/2012 1:21:04 AM ReportThanks moem I guess what that particular comenter told me wasn't accurate. All I know was it concerned me had it been true. I'd like to attendi a pow wow. Would be a great idea. I have to admit I do so like the spiritual side of native culture. Are there any coming up here locally soon att all?
speed7 10/23/2012 10:17:10 AM ReportMoem I think these attitudes are equally present. On both ends. Where inn garden river can you go where you are welcome with open arms? I had only one experience as a child driving through for a Sunday dive with my family . My dad went to turn around at a church to head back home . I'll never forget it there were 3 little young boys playing on the church steps and they gave us the finger on our way out to the highway ! People might have opinions but I would never give the finger to another human being like that. Things like this are the reasons people have the wrong stereotypes about other cultures.
I think Harper is trying to break down anything and everything he can. Ontario got the short end. What he did to the appistiwat was awfull. I guess he's doing a great job turning everyone against one another . What a great job he's doing. Getting paid good money. A great pension. To heck with the rest of us. We'll all hurt one another in the end. Sad state were all in today!
moem 10/23/2012 11:06:24 PM ReportYes you can go to garden river sorry to hear your childhood experience, I camped last year at Ojibway park and was treated very well and I went for aboriginal day in June and had a great time I met lots of nice people!!! The powwow was first weekend in sept in rankin and aug 26 in garden, there was one at Soo college in April bit outdoors is way better!!! And one thing is guaranteed you always get treated well at garden river bingo lol they have a great bannok and bologna sandwhich ;) there are bad apples in every bunch and I'm sure there gave been tensions over the years between " us and them " but I think you will find that the ones who really take their culture seriously will always make you feel welcome and they are more than happy to share it with you and tell you wonderful stories and really the ones who aren't as welcoming often have suffered from racism and oppression so it isn't easy to trust..,, Soo college aboriginal student association is very active and could provide more info about upcoming events
miss_sault43 10/24/2012 3:57:04 AM ReportI am FIRST NATION AND YES I HOPE THE BILL IS PASSED , SO WE ALL CAN SEE HOW AND WHERE THE MONEY IS SPENT MAKE SURE NOONE GETS A DIME MORE THEN THEY R SUPOSE HAVE IN THE FIRST PLACE SEE HAS A NATIVE WE HAVE NO SAY ONCE THESE PEOPLE ARE ELECTED IN SAD BUT TRUE AND MAYBE NOW IF THIS BILL IS PASSED MAYBE THE MONEY WILL GO WHERE IT IS SUPOSE TO BE FOR ALL BAND MEMEBERS HURRY WITH THE BILL C 27 PLEASE!!!
Note: Comments that appear on the site are not the opinion of SooToday.com. Keep discussions civil and on topic. Refrain from obscenity and don't post anything that your grandmother would be ashamed to read. Those who do not abide by these guidelines will have their membership revoked without notice. If you see an abusive post, please click the link beside the post to report it.
