By Nigel Maxwell

New report sheds light on First Nation salaries

Nov 5, 2014 | 11:14 AM

The chart posted online this week by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF), compares the salaries of chiefs on reserve with mayors in nearby cities.

The figures in the report are based on the most recent numbers submitted to the federal government, as part of the Financial Transparency Act.

The chart includes chiefs and mayors from every region of the country.

In Saskatchewan, the salaries of several northern Saskatchewan chiefs are compared to Regina Mayor Michael Fougere, who earned about $108,000 last year and two-thirds of that is taxable.

“I think that most people understand that Mr. Fougere is serving a pretty large city, there’s 179,000 people, so it shows how out of whack some of the salaries are for some of the chiefs,” said Colin Craig with the CTF.

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Northern Saskatchewan chiefs mentioned in the chart include Chief Clifford Tawpisin from Muskeg Lake; Chief Bruce Morin from Big River First Nation; and Chief Lorne Stewart from Cumberland House Cree Nation.

Tawpisin earned $89,945 last year, and the population of Muskeg Lake is about 1,850. In a telephone conversation with Tawpisin, he defended his salary saying the community believes the salaries of chief and council are fair and no decision is made without consultation.

He said he believes strongly in accountability and transparency, and all federal funds go to the right programs such as education and housing. He also explained the salaries of the chief and council are funded through the band’s own source revenue, such as the revenue generated from the band’s urban reserve in Saskatoon.

Craig said he is hoping that the new report will promote change.

“In other cases where we’ve exposed some high salaries on reserve, after that particular situation receives a lot of attention, then we start to see the salaries come down to earth,” said Craig.

In terms of the report, Craig said they have had a lot of positive feedback. He said a lot of band members want to know how much their chiefs and councils are making.

nmaxwell@panow.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell