Aboriginal affairs minister John Duncan is resurrecting a bill that would force First Nations to publish the salaries of band leaders and councillors.
First Nations leaders say they might agree that the finances should be transparent and public, but they don’t like how Ottawa is going about it.
National Chief Shawn Atleo of the Assembly of First Nations says chiefs are already taking many steps to open up their books, but the government is imposing new rules without due respect.
He says Ottawa’s main priority should be to address urgent issues such as First Nations education, health and poverty.
Atleo adds that accountability should apply to the federal government too, and a total overhaul of the fiscal relationship between Ottawa and First Nations is necessary.
(courtesy of The Canadian Press)