$1.3 million and counting – that’s how much the MNBC Board and CEO cost for just the first 9 months of the fiscal year!
(March 30, 2024) For just the first 9 months of the current fiscal year, the 11 member Board of Directors of Métis Nation British Columbia and the Chief Executive Officer cost a staggering $1.3 million primarily in salaries and remuneration, travel expenses and per diems, and that doesn’t include recent travel and accommodation for the Vice President and a Board Director to play hockey in Ottawa.
Between April 1 and December 31, 2023, the Board and Executive Expenditure Report shows total expenditures of $1,329,906, including total costs for the President of more than $199,000, and for the Vice President of more than $140,000. Both of their costs are way up from the same period in 2022, with the VP’s costs up by a whopping 32%.
Travel, accommodation and per diems (daily allowances for meals and incidentals) for the President between April 1 and December 31, 2023 totaled $65,665, while the Vice President incurred travel, accommodation and per diem costs of $48,336. Payment of per diems and travel for mileage when using their own vehicles is tax-free. Mileage rates for vehicles are at least 56.5 cents per km. while per diems are approximately $126.95 per day all of which are tax-free.
In addition to mileage and per diems, all Board members receive salaries and remuneration. As of March 31, 2024 their full year salaries and remuneration will be about $181,218 for the President and at least $114,000 for the Vice-President.
Former MNBC President Clara Morin Dal Col asks, “Exactly what have MNBC Citizens gotten in return for more than $1.3 million in costs by this Board and Executive for the first nine months of the fiscal year? Do we have self-government? No. Do we have definitive Métis rights? No. Do we have jurisdictional responsibility for our Métis children yet? No. But we do have lots of travel to Ottawa and other places with little to show for it, except pictures posted on Facebook.”
Ms. Morin Dal Col said, “Despite the fact that the current Vice President suggested at the last AGM that the Board members are probably living on close to a poverty line, their salaries and benefits tell a whole different story.”
The Métis leader, who has announced that she is running for the MNBC Presidency in the general election in September said, “Remember this current group of Directors raised their own salaries by 36% back in October 2022, and MNBC Citizens have gotten little in return. I’m hearing from many Métis Citizens who are looking for more than smiley pictures on social media. Our Citizens didn’t get 36% salary increases as they struggle with ever increasing costs of food, gas, home heating and keeping a roof over their heads.”
Ms. Morin Dal Col said, “Many Métis Citizens have had enough of this group and want a change. I hear their concerns, and that’s why my team and I are running.”
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