If Trudeau becomes PM, should he scrap the First Nations Financial Transparency Act?

[Rerun]

It sounds like he wants to.

http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/08...assive-income/

A Liberal government would scrap the new federal legislation that led to the recent revelation that the chief of a small Lower Mainland band had received income last year totalling close to $1 million, according to leader Justin Trudeau.

He made the pledge in a Vancouver Sun interview even though he later told a media scrum that he’s glad the public learned about Kwikwetlem First Nation Chief Ron Giesbrecht’s lavish remuneration.

[Slava]

So should he then? You didn't give your thoughts...

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Slava

So should he then? You didn't give your thoughts...

No he shouldn't. What are yours?

[Oling_Roachinen]

No. If they want public funds the public should be made aware of where it's going.

I do think that should extend to pretty much everything, otherwise it just opens the door to more Redford-like shenanigans as well.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Rerun

No he shouldn't. What are yours?

I probably couldn't care less. It has basically zero impact on me.

[GP_Matt]

I don't really think the public needs to know. However the band should absolutely be aware of what they are paying their elected leaders. The current system makes band members inquire locally and ask the very people they are suspicious of. Posting it online makes it available for the members of every band.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Slava

I probably couldn't care less. It has basically zero impact on me.

Well I guess that's a better answer than "In the grand scheme of things what's a few million dollars spent on First Nation's Chief's salaries... its just a drop in the bucket. There are more important things to worry about."

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by GP_Matt

I don't really think the public needs to know. However the band should absolutely be aware of what they are paying their elected leaders. The current system makes band members inquire locally and ask the very people they are suspicious of. Posting it online makes it available for the members of every band.

I do think the public needs to know. Its our tax dollars paying their salaries. If their salaries were paid by band taxes, then it would be none of our business.

[FlamesAddiction]

I think First Nations people deserve to know how much money they are getting and what it is being used for. I think the leaders need to be accountable to both their people and the Canadian government. I do not believe it needs to be general public knowledge though.

If I was a First Nations person, I would absolutely want to know though, but it's not the business of every single Canadian.

[Resolute 14]

If it is the business of any part of the Canadian public, it is the business of every part of the Canadian public. Particularly since you can't really erect a wall that prevents non-FN people from learning the figures if they are given to FN communities.

[jammies]

Why does the 2nd part of the question depend upon the first part?

"I used to think mustard was tasty, then I found out Justin Trudeau likes mustard! I've changed my mind, now I think it's terrible!"

[Azure]

It is taxpayer money, and therefore every single Canadian should know where it is getting spent down to the penny.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

If I was a First Nations person, I would absolutely want to know though, but it's not the business of every single Canadian.

I think seeing as the money comes from taxpayers, we should have a right to know. Also if it is public knowledge for all Canadians, it allows First Nations people much easier access to that information.

[Chill Cosby]

If you actually read the article, it sounds like OP used selected quotes to tell only part of the story:

He said the Conservatives have been selective in demanding greater salary disclosure, focusing on perceived Tory opponents like First Nations and organized labour leaders while keeping secret the salaries of his top political staff ... saying “whether we keep this legislation …” but quickly corrected himself, saying: “Actually, I wouldn’t keep the legislation in place. I would work with First Nations to make sure that a proper accountability act that would have disclosed any excesses we see, but is done in a way that is respectful of the First Nation communities.”

So, he's still all for disclosing the financials which would still allow the public to see the paper trail, but in a more respectful and less attack-driven way.

He doesn't want to stop disclosure, just change the act. Doesn't even seem like news.

[jammies]

Originally Posted by Chill Cosby

If you actually read the article, it sounds like OP used selected quotes to tell only part of the story

Hey, we should all do that!

"In his original post, Rerun said 'scrap the First Nations Financial Transparency Act', and I believe this exposes him as not only a puling socialist, but also a enabler of corruption and possibly a puppy and kitty hater. He is a terrible person and should be denounced by all right-thinking folk."

[Ben_in_Canada]

In reference to Ron Giesbrecht's salary

One week after he was revealed to be the highest-paid elected official in Canada, Kwikwetlem First Nation Chief Ron Giesbrecht claimed in his first official statement that he is actually “one of the lowest paid Chiefs in the country.”
While it is true Mr. Giesbrecht earned only $4,800 in his role as chief of the 82-member Metro Vancouver nation, he was paid an $800,000 bonus in 2013-14 because he was also serving as the band’s economic development officer, a job that gave him $80,000 a year and a 10% cut of all new “capital projects and business opportunities.”

http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/08...-800000-bonus/

If he earned it, I'm not opposed to it.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by GP_Matt

I don't really think the public needs to know. However the band should absolutely be aware of what they are paying their elected leaders. The current system makes band members inquire locally and ask the very people they are suspicious of. Posting it online makes it available for the members of every band.

This.

I'm sure Trudeau will be "clarifying" his comments shortly just like every other time he has something unscripted to say.

[Erick Estrada]

If the GQ boy becomes PM this will be the least of Canada's (outside of Ontario and Quebec) worries. This kid may make Paul Martin look like a solid PM in comparison.

[Canehdianman]

Originally Posted by Ben_in_Canada

In reference to Ron Giesbrecht's salary
http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/08...-800000-bonus/

If he earned it, I'm not opposed to it.

Did he "earn" it?

He gives himself an appointment that includes 10% commission on economic benefit to his nation.

His band received $8MM in funds from the government.

He takes 10%.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Canehdianman

Did he "earn" it?

He gives himself an appointment that includes 10% commission on economic benefit to his nation.

His band received $8MM in funds from the government.

He takes 10%.

From what I saw on an interview on CBC, they were previously running at 2 million of capital projects and he increased that to 10 million. So, I'd say that's earning it.