The Stephen Harper Tories have introduced a bill to pull in alongside the handover of decision-making power to natives in mining we discussed earlier - the other shoe and a missing piece. There will now at least be transparency and some form of democracy on reserve so that the benefits of federal funds and economic development accrue to the native population generally and not to corrupt leadership. It should go a long way to fill the poverty gap as well on reserve. With more information and awareness, the distribution of benefits should be more equitable - and with more people having a stake in development, better decisions may be possible. Ike

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/11/21/john-ivison-financial-transparency-bill-may-usher-in-a-native-spring/