Feds Eyeing Reserve Governance Changes

Feds Eyeing Reserve Governance Changes

Tuesday, March 03, 2009 at 14:14

The Globe and Mail is reporting that the Conservative government is planning sweeping changes to governance rules on reserves across the country.

A report in today’s paper says the government wants to introduce mandatory rules on how bands should conduct their elections, as well as making their spending public to members.

Changes would also be made to the way band employee pensions are funded.

As well grassroots members would be able to launch access to information requests on reserve.

The report says the leaked documents make repeated reference to the First Nations Governance Act of 2002.

That act was introduced by the liberals, but was never implemented due to a deep backlash from first nations leaders.

Indian Affairs minister Chuck Strahl was not immediately available for comment on the story.