(June 27, 2023) Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) appeared before the BC Legislature’s Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services earlier this month and asked for a “mere” $104 million from the Province in its budget for next year.
Last year the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MNBC when appearing before the same committee requested $84 million from the Province in its budget for 2023 but received nary a mention in the budget. Given her lack of success last year, she tried a new approach this year with the Committee asking for an even larger amount and describing it as a “mere amount of $104 million”, and then in answer to a question from one of the MLA’s on the Committee she admitted that MNBC already receives about $80 million annually from the federal government. Asking for a “mere” $104 million, while already receiving $80 million from the federal government may not resonate very well with the Provincial Government
So what exactly is MNBC doing with $80 million a year from the federal government? We don’t know because this Board has not yet posted its annual operating budget for 2023/24. Based on past practice and other information sources, there is a good possibility that more staff are being hired, more renovations are taking place in the fancy offices in Surrey, more consultants are being hired and more travel expenses are being incurred by the Board.
BC Métis Leader and former MNBC President Clara Morin Dal Col asks, “Where is the fiscal accountability and transparency? MNBC calls itself a government but yet can’t post an operating budget on its website.” She said, “They need to tell us how much they’re spending on consultants, lawyers, committees and hiring more staff.”
Ms. Morin Dal Col said, “The vast majority of funds from government are intended to help our Métis Citizens, not for hiring more staff and paying higher salaries to the Board.”
-30-
For further information:
Contact Clara Morin Dal Col
BC Métis Leader
Email: cmdalcol@gmail.com
out of control, is all I can say