Aboriginal Affairs decries severance pay for chief convicted of sexual assault

CARLYLE, Sask. – Aboriginal Affairs Canada says the idea of severance for a Saskatchewan First Nation chief convicted of sexually assaulting a teenage girl is reprehensible.

Terry McArthur of the Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nation was sentenced last week to nine months in jail after pleading guilty to inappropriately touching a 16-year-old girl.

McArthur has resigned and will be paid for the remainder of his term plus severance — nearly $48,000.

Erica Meekes, press secretary for Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt, says McArthur does not deserve severance pay of any amount.

Meekes told the Canadian Press in an email that the department is urging the band council to change its policies and to take back the severance pay.

Officials at the First Nation were not immediately available for comment.

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