The Harper government says it is taking three Saskatchewan First Nations to court for failure to comply with Bill C-27.
The First Nations Financial Transparency Act requires bands to post their financial statements and chief and council salaries on the government’s website.
A number of First Nations say the legislation violates inherent treaty rights and has been rammed through by the government without proper consultation.
In a press release Monday, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Bernard Valcourt says the government plans to take legal action against the Ochapowace, Onion Lake and Thunderchild First Nations.
He also says they plan to take the Alberta bands of Sawridge, Athabasca Chipewyan and Cold Lake to court for non-compliance.
Onion Lake has already filed its own legal statement of claim against the government over the act.
The Harper government is also withholding funding for any non-essential programming to bands who don’t comply with Bill C-27.