REGINA: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) has launched a complaint with the provincial Information Commissioner after being denied access under the Freedom of Information Act to a list of disbursements by the First Nations Fund. The announcement comes on the heals of the Provincial Auditor's Report yesterday that stated, for the fourth time in the last two years, the Fund's trustees have refused to co-operate with his office and denied the Auditor access to review and audit the Fund's books.

"The Government's decision to funnel millions in gambling revenue through the First Nations Fund but allow the Fund's trustees to refuse access to their books is unacceptable. It's a bit like plugging a slot machine - the government sticks the money in, it disappears, and no one knows where it goes," says Richard Truscott, Saskatchewan Director of the CTF.

The First Nations Fund was established as a Crown agency accountable to the Minister of Municipal Affairs. The government-appointed trustees are charged with dispersing gambling revenues to Indian bands to carry out economic development, social assistance, and other initiatives. Since 1996, the Government has transferred over $29 million to the Fund.

The trustees who run the Fund have stated they are not required to open the books to the Provincial Auditor, but only provide their own audit to the Government. Yet the Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation Act says that the Provincial Auditor is empowered to look at all accounts and financial statements with regard to the Fund, just as he does with every other government department, commission, agency or fund.

"Why the secrecy Is there something to hide Without full access to the financial material that formed the basis of the Fund's own audit, taxpayers are blind in one eye. By resisting lawful requests for information the Fund's trustees only raise suspicions that the game is rigged," states Truscott.

Truscott continues, "The Provincial Auditor is directly responsible not to the Government, but to the whole legislature and the people of Saskatchewan. The resistance of the First Nations Fund to access by the CTF and the Provincial Auditor, and the apparent support of the Government for this resistance, raises serious questions about this Government's commitment to openness and accountability."

"Aside from mushrooms, the only thing that grows in the dark is trouble. Taxpayers have a right to know how that money is being handled. We will not settle for anything less than full access for the Auditor and all taxpayers, " concludes Truscott.