The deadline for First Nations across Canada to make their financial information public was Wednesday, but nine Saskatchewan First Nations still haven't done so. The federal government passed the Transparency Act in 2013 that requires them to comply. While some are vowing to fight the government over this, others are happy to comply.
Onion Lake First Nation's chief refuses to make the band's finances public. Chief Wallace Fox has filed a statement of claim in federal court against the government over the Financial-Transparency law. He says although he does not want financial transparency with the government, he has nothing against being transparent with his own community.
Chief Fox says his band has some businesses funded with band money rather than government funds, and he doesn't think those financials should have to be made public. He says that the band provides it’s people with accountability on those businesses through a consolidated audit.
The Whitecap Dakota First Nation is one of the bands that have made their finances public. Chief Darcy Bear says under the Act, bands don't have to report all the details of a business venture, providing it is for profitable business.
Bear says transparency has been a big part of his administration. He says he has shared 21 consecutive unqualified audits with his community members.
The federal government is threatening to withhold funding for First Nations who don't comply with the Act. Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt said that would mean non-essential funding.
More than 90 per cent of Canada’s First Nations communities have already made their salaries, expenses and consolidated financial statements public. As of Thursday, around 50 First Nations across the country, including nine in Saskatchewan have not complied with the Act.
