Conservatives putting First Nations accountability bill on fast track

OTTAWA – The federal Conservatives are pressing ahead with a bill to force First Nations chiefs to publish their salaries and financial details — ramming through legislation despite opposition from the NDP and many aboriginal leaders.

The government is invoking closure on the bill, which essentially calls a halt to parliamentary debate and forces it to a vote.

The proposed legislation, various forms of which have been kicking around for the last three years, would make all First Nations bands publish the salaries and expenses of chiefs and counsellors.

It was prompted by Canadian Taxpayers Federation research that found more than 200 band politicians had salaries higher than that of a provincial premier — many of them earning more than the prime minister himself.

But the Assembly of First Nations and the federal NDP say bands are already being held accountable for spending, and should be deciding for themselves how they want to explain their finances to their people.

The AFN wants to see a First Nations auditor general instead.