Osoyoos Indian Band Chief Clarence Louie
Image Credit: Facebook/Osoyoos Indian Band
August 01, 2014 - 1:00 PM
OSOYOOS - Newly released Osoyoos Indian Band financial statements show a huge gap between First Nations and local governement when it comes to salaries and expenses.
The 2014 financial documents, submitted as required by the new First Nations Financial Transparency Act, outline the earnings and expenses of Chief Clarence Louie and the band's five councillors. They were paid amounts varying from approximately $17,000 a year to $97,500 a year.
Louie earned $146,369 in salary plus almost $5,000 in expenses last year.
The chief and council’s earnings and expenses add up to almost $485,700 of tax-free income. That's $1,184 for each of the 410 Osoyoos band members.
It is unclear whether there is a base rate for council or chief, and if certain council members are part-time or full-time.
The chief and several councillors are currently on holidays and could not be reached for clarification or comment.
To compare, Osoyoos city council earned at total of $94,700 — less than some individual band councillors. With expenses included, the entire council earned about $117,500, which works out to $24 per Osoyoos resident.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Meaghan Archer at marcher@infotelnews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014