Missed expense-report deadline could be costly for First Nations – The Globe and Mail
Nov. 26 2014
First Nations that fail to comply with this week’s deadline for publishing their expenses will see immediate funding cuts, says Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt.
Wednesday at midnight was the deadline for leaders to comply with the First Nations Financial Transparency Act. The controversial 2013 law took effect July 29, but when nearly two-thirds of First Nations did not meet the original deadline, Ottawa allowed a 120-day extension.
That extension was effective as 521 – or nearly 90 per cent – of the 582 First Nations subject to the new law had complied as of Wednesday evening.
In an interview, Mr. Valcourt said only a handful of First Nations have clearly stated they will refuse to comply, and he expressed hope that more reports would come in right at the deadline. But he also said the government will enforce the act starting Thursday. “Definitely [for] those that do not comply, we will start withholding funds immediately,” he said.
