“There’s absolutely nothing wrong with disclosing what the taxpayers call tax money, but First Nations’ self-generated income is not tax money…”

Chief Clarence Louie agrees with some of the new law for reporting on Band financial matters but questions why there is a double standard when compared to municipal politicians.

Louie talked to us Sunday when he asked the question “Do mayor and councillors have to report on income that is generated in their private lives or just what the tax payers pay for?”

The answer given by me was that BC Municipal politicians only report to the public on what they are paid but not on private employment or from a business they own.

Louie says the DIA (Indian Affairs) supports bands with funding for many employees on reserves including monies for band administrators. Louie says he as a Chief gets paid about $18 thousand a year – but is also paid for duties as a full time employee. Revealing that he says is not a problem and he has asked his accountant to give him all that information. He says the federal subsidy is not sufficient to attract qualified candidates and in some cases is “topped up” from private band funds.

Louie says the band has its own revenue from leases and that should be a private matter as to how it is used – something that is shared with band members only.

The First Nations Financial Transparency Act requires that First Nations, defined as an Indian band under the Indian Act, make their audited consolidated financial statements and a Schedule of Remuneration and Expenses available to their members as well as publish it on a website. These financial documents include:
•audited consolidated financial statements
•the Schedule of Remuneration and Expenses
•the auditor’s written report respecting the consolidated financial statements
•the auditor’s report or the review engagement report, as the case may be, respecting the Schedule of Remuneration and Expenses.

Media report on Louie: “One B.C. chief was left fuming over a process he regarded as unfair.

Osoyoos Indian Band Chief Clarence Louie was paid $146,369 last year. The high-profile leader said it is unfair of the government to publish a total that combines his chief’s salary and income related to his work with the band’s companies.

In addition to being chief, Mr. Louie is the band administrator, and CEO of the OIB Development Corporation.

“You shouldn’t be combining my salary as chief with the other jobs I do,” he states comparing it to forcing a small-town mayor to disclose private business income.

“There’s absolutely nothing wrong with disclosing what the taxpayers call tax money, but First Nations’ self-generated income is not tax money,” he said.”