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The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) released brown envelope documents today which show the Chief of the 2,170 member Enoch Cree Nation, located just outside of Edmonton, is receiving more than the Premier of Alberta.
“This is another case of a chief and council on a reserve filling their pockets while their people suffer,” said Colin Craig, Prairie Director for the CTF. “The first step to fixing the problem is for the federal government to place all band council salaries on its web site for all to see. It wouldn’t be hard to do as they already have the information.”
According to the documents provided to the CTF, and confirmed by Enoch Cree Nation Chief Harry Sharphead, he has reduced his tax free salary from $250,000 to $180,000. As the Chief’s salary is income tax free, for someone living off reserve, that is the equivalent of a reduction from approximately $388,000 to $274,000. By comparison, Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach earned $214,000 in 2009-10.
Even more startling, the documents indicate former Chief Morin received $327,712 in 2006/07 or a taxable equivalent salary of approximately $515,720. The average band council member that year appeared to make approximately $175,725 or approximately $265,000 for someone living off reserve. However, average reserve residents’ incomes were much closer to $15,000 in 2006.
To view the documents, click here.
“MP’s and MLA’s salaries are posted online across the country, reserve politicians’ salaries should be made public as well” added Craig. “Every time stories like this come to light it unfortunately casts a dark shadow on Chiefs and Council members that aren’t taking advantage of their power to set their own pay.”
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