First Nations leaders irate over new law requiring band salaries, finances be publicized

First Nations leaders are condemning new federal legislation that will force them to publish audited statements that include the salaries paid to chiefs and band council members.

The First Nations Transparency Act, introduced in the House of Commons on Wednesday, will require all First Nations to put their annual audited financial statements and salary schedules on the Internet within 120 days of the end of each fiscal year or risk losing federal funding, the National Post reports.

The requirement isn't being received well, Grand Chief Derek Nepinak of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, told the Post.

"It's an indication to us colonialism and paternalism are alive and well in the Harper government," said Nepinak.

The legislation is unnecessary, he said, because bands already have strict reporting requirements and band members have a right to see information about the band's finances.

Nepinak also challenged a stipulation in the bill that bands also publicize financial information and salaries from band-owned businesses such as gas bars, casinos and stores, not just those stemming from government funding. The aboriginal relationship with Ottawa through the Indian Act only covers government transfers, he said. Making rules about other financial information may be illegal.

He also criticized the Conservative government, which he said did not consult aboriginal leaders before introducing the legislation.

"Having a majority government doesn't allow (Prime Minister Harper) to bypass the duty to consult," said Nepinak.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan confirmed Wednesday he had not had direct conversations about the bill with Grand Chief Shawn Atleo of the Assembly of First Nations. Duncan said the government did discuss a previous, similar private member's bill with First Nations leaders.

Duncan defended the bill at a news conference Wednesday, APTN News reported.

"Our government believes First Nations, like all Canadians, deserve transparency and accountability from their elected officials," said Duncan. "The bill builds on our government's ongoing commitment to ensuring First Nations have strong, transparent and accountable governments. It will also lead to decreasing the reporting burden for First Nations."

Liberal Aboriginal affairs critic Carolynn Bennett called the bill "racist" and "paternalistic."

"I'm not sure what this bill is doing other than to sensationalize," said Bennett.

But Winnipeg Sun columnist Tom Brodbeck said it's about time the government mandated transparency.

"It's a victory for all the First Nations people I have spoken with over the years who could not understand why they were not able to access the most basic financial information about their elected leaders and how they were spending their constituents' money," he wrote.