Last week, in advance of Friday’s Chiniki Band election, members of the Nation held what was touted as the first candidates’ debate.
Only a handful of candidates – seven out of 21 – and not a single incumbent attended the event that attracted 50 band members who were eager to hear what the candidates had to offer.
In a show of solidarity, the candidates in attendance rebuffed the typical demeanour of those battling for a seat on the next council and chose to discuss how to improve the inner workings of Band management.
Much of that discussion centred around the need to improve Band finances and fiscal transparency. Both are topical as Chiniki struggles with a multimillion-dollar deficit and compensation packages for chief and council that defy logic.
For the year ending March 2016, re-elected Chief Aaron Young made $293,488 in salary and expenses and all four councillors each earned $89,441 plus expenses that at least doubled their salaries.
With expenses and considering the earnings are tax free, Chiniki councillors are earning more than members of the Canadian Parliament and the chief is taking home more than the Prime Minister.
Considering the small population of the Band, it is difficult to fathom how that level of pay is justified. It is even harder to understand how expenses for the year can exceed a person’s annual wage.
In 2016, after the Stoney Nakoda Nation held an emergency meeting because of the Chiniki’s ballooning deficit, it was revealed the band had overspent on salaries. Despite that revelation, chief and council stated they would not take a pay cut.
Band wages are a sharp contrast to much of the population of Morley, where the Government of Canada reported in 2011 that the average earnings of those living on the reserve were approximately $15,000.
Wages are just a sample of the financial oddities in spending on the reserve. The budget itself lists tens of millions in expenses and revenues simply as “other.” That kind of money should not be in a government budget with no descriptor.
On Friday, the Chiniki leadership saw little change with chief Aaron Young being re-elected and one has to wonder if that will mean much will remain status quo in the Band’s fiscal transparency.
While the leadership is the same, the election forum demonstrated that Chiniki Band members have the will to be more politically active.
Hopefully that will not be a one-off and they will continue with that momentum to pressure their leaders to account for the money they are spending.
That money belongs to all Chiniki people, not just its leaders. It is time Band members were told exactly how their money is being spent.
