The Canadian Taxpayers Federation began calling on the federal government to issue full disclosure of salary and band financial statements back in 2009
Their efforts paid off late last month when the the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada began posting the salaries of aboriginal chiefs and councillors, and annual band financial statements on the federal government’s website.
Information for the Lower Similkameen Indian Band has been posted to the site, but so far no information is available for the Upper Similkameen Indian Band.
Last year, the LSIB chiefs and council were paid the following:
Robert Edward - paid $39,607.63 in remuneration and $12,392.04 in expenses during his seven month term in office in 2013.
Keith Crow - paid $16,632.72 in remuneration and $5,267.95 in expenses for his five month term in office in 2013.
Councillors made the following in remuneration, (expenses in brackets):
Terry Terbasket- $10,300, ($2,113.96)
Lauren Terbasket - $7,400, (1,784.96)
Alexander Terbasket - $4,250, (648.03)
Eliza Terbasket - $2,000, ($92)
The LSIB’s schedule of remuneration and expenses was reviewed by Kelowna general accountants Reid, Hurst, Nagy Inc. who stated the schedule was completed in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada year end reporting handbook for funding agreements covering 2013-14.
Band members and anyone else with an internet connection can check the following link over the coming weeks as the federal government scans and posts more and more band salary details and financial statements –
http://pse5-esd5.ainc-inac.gc.ca/fnp/Main/Search/SearchFF.aspx?lang=eng