B.C. First Nation behind landmark land title case releases mining policy – CP

Source: The Canadian Press – Broadcast wire
Aug 1, 2014 2:30

VANCOUVER – New documents published online say First Nations’ chiefs and band councillors make anywhere from thousands of dollars a year to almost one-million.

The financial statements must be published within 120 days of March 31st, 2014, after the passage of a financial-transparency law by the federal government.

One document getting attention was published by Metro Vancouver’s Kwikwetlem (kwee-kwet-lum) First Nation.

It shows economic development officer and Chief Ron Giesbrecht was paid more than 914-thousand dollars in compensation and more than 16-thousand in expenses

The O’Chiese First Nation of Rocky Mountain House, Aberta reports Chief Darren Whitford got more than 264-thousand in salary and travel and meeting expenses.

Census and other government data say the Kwikwetlem has a registered population of 37, with 33 people living on the reserve, and the O’Chiese has about 450 members.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is expressing jubilation over the publication and says more and more information will be available over the coming weeks as the federal government scans and posts the documents.

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kpd

(The Canadian Press)