(March 24, 2022) Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) finally posted a report this week on the expenditures and remuneration of Board members and of the Chief Executive Officer that was required to be provided to the Métis Nation Governing Assembly (MNGA) more than two weeks ago.
The single page 9-line report shows expenditures of nearly $1 million for just 9 months, including $671,934 in salaries and remuneration for the Board members and CEO, but the salary figures for the Board members do not match with the remuneration rates they approved for themselves last November. Those increased salary rates were retro-active to April 1st of 2021.
The questions:
1. Why was this report not provided to the MNGA more than two weeks ago, when it was required by the MNGA Act to be provided? MNGA members would have had the opportunity to ask questions directly of the Board and CEO if they had the report in front of them.
2. In November 2021 the Board gave themselves a salary increase retro-active to April 1, 2021. The President would receive a “base remuneration” of $110,000 per year, the Vice-President $82,500, and the Provincial Women and Youth Representatives and Regional Directors would each receive $48,267 per year. The information that was published by the Board in November, also listed another $54,933 for an “Executive Appointment” which would seem to suggest that a member of the Executive (President, Vice President, Secretary & Treasurer) would each receive an additional $54,933. The latest salary figures do not reflect the inclusion of the additional amounts. Why not? Do Board members receive an additional $54,933 to sit on the Executive? Are Board members also paid extra for portfolios or for sitting on Board Committees? If they are paid extra, how much extra are they paid, and why are these amounts not included in the latest report?
3. According to the report, in just nine months Board members and the CEO of the day incurred nearly $78,000 in travel and accommodations plus another $12,873 in per diems (meal and incidental costs). Why are these costs so large given that because of Covid-19 most meetings took place electronically and travel was limited?
4. MNBC reports on one line that they spent $151,435 on consulting and professional fees between April 1 and December 31, 2021, but no additional information is provided. What firms and individuals received the consulting and professional fees totalling $151,435?
BC Métis Leader Clara Morin Dal Col said today, “This Board claims to be accountable and transparent but yet they failed to provide this report within the time period required by the MNGA Act”.
She added, ”The Treasurer of MNBC reported to the MNGA on $40 million that MNBC received between April 1 and December 31, 2021, but yet MNBC was unable to post the report on the Board’s nearly $1 million in remuneration and expenditures until more than two weeks after the MNGA. Where’s the accountability and transparency?”
-30-
For further information:
Contact Clara Morin Dal Col
BC Métis Leader
Email: cmdalcol@gmail.com
Comments