This government supports initiatives designed to increase transparency and accountability amongst our First Nations populations.

Bill C-575, the First Nations Financial Transparency Act, introduced by Kelly Block, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar, addresses this. If passed, this bill would create legislation to disclose the remuneration paid to councilors and chiefs subject to the Indian Act.

Establishing a clear, consistent standard for the mandatory disclosure of salaries and reimbursement of expenses of elected officials will enable citizens to make informed decisions and know more about where their dollars are going.

This legislation will be available for First Nations leaders as they work to deliver more reliable and effective services to their constituents. Like all elected officials, they have a responsibility to represent those they serve to the best of their ability with accountability and transparency.

All Canadians, including First Nations citizens, deserve to know what their leadership receives in terms of salaries and benefits.

We see this bill as a progressive and broadly beneficial step forward in Canadian democracy. However, opposition parties have refused to lend their support to this bill.

We were disappointed by the other parties’ decisions to vote against the proposal, as we believe First Nations citizens have the same right as all other Canadians to expect their local governments to operate with transparency and accountability.

With this bill, figures that are already audited would be made available to the public, therefore ensuring the burden of reporting is not increased for First Nations officials.

Collaboration and consultation are among the key pillars of effective governance. This type of necessary input from the public is not possible when constituents are kept in the dark about the compensation their leaders are receiving.

Transparency and accountability are necessary at all levels of government, and Bill C-575 serves to extend these principles to reserves across Canada.

Canadians are rightly given access to information regarding the earnings of elected officials at the federal, provincial and municipal levels. First Nations men and women deserve to know what portion of the funds from their bands’ bank accounts makes its way into their elected officials’ pockets.

This government is committed to maintaining a system of governance that displays accountability and transparency for all Canadians across the nation, and this bill serves to reinforce that commitment.

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The audio version of Garry's March 21, 2011 op-ed column can be heard by clicking here