Athabasca Chipewyan defends non-compliance with FNFTA in court – Northern Journal

August 24, 2015

Lawyers for the government of Canada were in Federal Court in Saskatoon last week in an attempt to force five First Nations to fall in line with new legislation demanding they make their financial information available to the public.

The Athabasca Chipewyan, Onion Lake, Ochapowace, Sawridge and Thunderchild First Nations are protesting the First Nations Financial Transparency Act (FNFTA), known as Bill C-27, which requires that First Nations post their leaders’ salaries and audited financial statements online.

“The law was put in place to ensure that First Nation band members have access to the information they require and deserve about basic financial management practices of their Chief and Council, and to empower them to ensure band revenues are being used for their benefit,” according to Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister Bernard Valcourt. “It applies the same principles of transparency and accountability to First Nations governments that already exist for other governments in Canada.”

Read More: http://norj.ca/2015/08/athabasca-chipewyan-one-of-five-first-nations-in-court-defending-non-compliance-with-fnfta/