In the first of six Liberal leadership debates, Paul Martin stated if he became Prime Minister he would not implement the First Nations Governance Act without major changes. Will Mr. Martin's proposed changes water-down or strengthen the proposed legislation Difficult questions to answer since Mr. Martin failed to enlighten the audience or Canadians of his 'major changes.'

The First Nations Governance Act was drafted as a result of the lack of accountability and transparency on Native reserves. For example, in 1999, the Department of Indian Affairs reported that it had received some 300 allegations ranging from nepotism to mismanagement of 108 Indian bands. In May of 2001, the Department of Indian Affairs ordered the band council and Chief of the Mi'kmaq band to resign and hold new elections after an investigation uncovered the presence of vote-buying and other corruption.

The Governance Act will establish leadership selection criteria for Native band councils that will correctly put the power in the hands of those that desire it - the Native people. No longer will a Chief have the ability to manipulate nominations or the eligible voters list. Band employees will no
longer be subject to dismissal when
a new government is formed simply because they may hold an opposing view. Would Mr. Martin's 'major changes' support such an improvement or oppose

According to Auditor General reports, of the $7.5 billion expended on Aboriginal Affairs, 80 percent is transferred directly to Native bands. Native bands are required by the Department of Indian Affairs to have their expenses audited; however, this information is not available to the general public or to the Auditor General. Once in possession of the bands, how these funds are disbursed is decided by the Chiefs and their band councils.

Surely Mr. Martin cannot be opposed to the requirement set out in the Governance Act for Native band councils to provide their audited financial statements to any person who requests a copy Assuming "any person" means any Canadian taxpayer, accountability would be significantly better than what taxpayers are provided with now - nothing.

Small steps in the right direction to be sure - but not nearly the degree of accountability there needs to be. As written the Governance Act will not require Native band councils to report on the progress of federally supported programs - i.e., those
funded by outside taxpayers. Mr. Martin may intend to correct this oversight, but he has yet to inform Canadians.

Mr. Martin said he plans to negotiate improvements to the legislation with Native leaders, who claim the new legislation offers little change from the current Indian Act. It is true the Governance Act merely props up the paternalistic Indian Act. Consequently, for Native communities to compete successfully within the Canadian economic mainstream, the Indian Act must be phased out. Does that mean Mr. Martin plans to implement 'major changes' to see the eventual elimination of the Indian Act Alas, we do not know.

By not adequately informing Canadians of what his plans are for the First Nations Governance Act, Mr. Martin has raised more questions than answers. Mr. Martin, Canadian taxpayers spend billions of dollars each year on Aboriginal affairs, please inform us of what your plans are, and what you stand for on Aboriginal affairs.