http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/first-nations-feds-disagree-on-whether-theyre-engaging-on-transparency-lawFirst Nations, feds disagree on whether they're 'engaging' on transparency law

PETER O'NEIL

More from Peter O'Neil

Published on: October 28, 2016 | Last Updated: October 28, 2016 3:53 PM PDTOTTAWA — The Trudeau government says it is “engaging” with First Nations leaders on a plan to replace a controversial First Nations transparency law, but Canada’s top Aboriginal leader said talks haven’t yet even begun.

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised before the 2015 election to consult with his organization on how to change or repeal laws and policies imposed on Aboriginal governments by former prime minister Stephen Harper’s Conservatives.

“The process has not been established yet,” Bellegarde said in an editorial board meeting with The Vancouver Sun.

“Where’s the process? Where’s the plan? Where’s the collaboration? Where’s the co-operation and working together to outline that? It’s not there yet.”

Bellegarde defended, however, the Trudeau government’s decision just weeks after the 2015 election that it would no longer enforce the First Nations Financial Transparency Act.

That was a law, passed over the objections of the AFN, that required all registered bands to publicly post their financial statements and salaries for band and council.

“Any legislation that is unilaterally developed is going to be problematic,” Bellegarde said, adding that First Nations are “totally open” to transparency and accountability but didn’t appreciate the former government “imposing” the law on more than 600 First Nations across Canada.

On Wednesday, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett said Ottawa has already started its engagement with Aboriginal leaders.

“We are engaging First Nations on the way forward on transparency and accountability,” Bennett told the House of Commons while being pressed over the controversy about financial affairs on the Shuswap First Nation in the B.C. Interior.

The transparency law has been credited with helping to remove a family that enriched itself while ruling the Shuswap First Nation, near Invermere, for 34 years. The Sam-Martin family lost control of the band in a 2014 election after Postmedia published details of the lavish remuneration paid to family members.

An Ernst & Young Forensic audit said there were $4.2 million in undocumented transfers over three-and-a-half years to the family, though the Shuswap band provided Postmedia its own calculations Wednesday suggesting the total was as much as $6.9 million.

Postmedia reported last week that the band’s finances are under RCMP investigation. An Ernst & Young forensic audit presented to band members in July showed that the $4.2 million in undocumented transfers during the 2011-14 period went to then-chief Paul Sam, his ex-wife and fellow councillor Alice Sam, their son Dean Martin, and Martin’s two sons.

The Shuswap First Nation provided a further accounting to Postmedia Wednesday outlining a total of $6.9 million in payments during that period, including $113,287.82 to Dean Martin’s young grandson, $247,333.78 to Martin’s ex-wife and $53,211.86 to Martin’s girlfriend.

Chief Barbara Cote didn’t explain why the band’s calculations were different from Ernst & Young’s.

poneil@postmedia.com

Comment: The question you have to ask yourself is with all this delay in the Ring of Fire is it because the Chiefs of these First Nation communities are actually looking out for their people, or for themselves? My guess is that we are just dealing with another corrupt level of government here in Canada, looking to protect the best interests of their own premiers and ministers, without the slightest worry or concern over the people they reside over. The general public, whether First Nations or not, are allowing these charlatans who call themselves " Our Leaders" to make decisions, or not, that in the end only affect them and not us. I think that if you ask your average person, whether First Nations or not, they would say they question the actions of their leaders as being more self serving, then for the people.

It is high time both the leaders of Canada and our First Nations come clean about why the Ring of Fire is being delayed; if you ask me. Get these hidden agendas out in the open, and stop playing games.

TM.

Twitter.com/poneilinOttawa