Stoney leaders get big raise, as band runs deficit – Calgary Herald

September 28, 2015

Salaries and expenses for the politicians running the Stoney First Nation surged 20 per cent last year to $3.3 million, as the band dipped into its rainy-day funds for the second straight year to cover a mounting deficit.

Revenues for the band west of Calgary were significantly larger than expected in the fiscal year ending March 31 at $108 million, but it still posted a larger-than-forecast deficit of nearly $17 million, according to numbers released under the First Nations Financial Transparency Act.

While spending on education, health and social services were all in line with the budget, the financial statements show the Chiniki, Bearspaw and Wesley bands spent nearly 50 per cent more than planned on band government.

A breakdown of band administration and governance spending — which is separate from outlays in program areas such as housing and public works — shows more than $6 million in salaries and benefits alone, a nine per cent increase over the previous year.

Read More: http://calgaryherald.com/news/politics/stoney-leaders-pocket-more-as-band-runs-deficit