From: brewnoser2@gmail.com   
      
   This is just plain stupid.  We know that many, many first nations reserves and   
   communities are abusing our tax dollars.  We also know that most of those   
   abuses are by first nations community leaders who enrich themselves through   
   stealing from their own    
   peoples' entitlement.   
      
   I don't know what Trudeau thinks he's accomplishing by allowing the lack of   
   accountability and the continuation of these thefts to continue.  I personally   
   do not sanction my taxes being abused in this way.  I wonder how many others -   
   including those    
   being cheated within the first nations communities - appreciate Trudeau giving   
   the cheaters and thieves a free pass to continue doing it.   
      
   Lots of 'accountability' for those who use EI, welfare, file tax returns and   
   even cross the border for a period of time.  But not for those who take from   
   our taxes, but don't pay into them?  Justin . . .  you're going to regret this   
   decision.  And so we,    
   the taxpayers in this country.   
   ___________________________________________   
    The Canadian Press | December 18, 2015   
      
   Liberals drop sanctions against First Nations that didn't comply with   
   financial-transparency law   
      
   OTTAWA -- The federal Liberal government showed more solidarity with Canada's   
   First Nations on Friday as it lifted sanctions against indigenous communities   
   that have not complied with a Conservative spending-transparency law.   
      
   The decision was quickly condemned by the Opposition Tories and the Canadian   
   Taxpayers Federation (CTF), which warned that the move would leave First   
   Nations people in the dark about how their elected leaders spend public money.   
      
   Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett said her department will stop   
   imposing punitive measures -- such as withholding funds -- on those   
   communities not in compliance with the First Nations Financial Transparency   
   Act.   
      
   Bennett, who described the changes as part of Ottawa's new "nation-to-nation"   
   relationship with indigenous peoples, also said she's suspending court actions   
   against those First Nations not complying with the law.   
      
   "Transparency and accountability are paramount to any government, whether it   
   is municipal, provincial, federal or First Nation," she said in a statement.   
      
   "We will work in full partnership with First Nations leadership and   
   organizations on the way forward to improve accountability and transparency.    
   This cannot be achieved without the engagement of First Nations and its   
   members."   
      
   Under the Act, First Nations are required to publicly disclose audited   
   financial statements and information about the salaries and expenses of chiefs   
   and councillors.   
      
   Those failing to do so by July 29 of last year faced escalating consequences   
   ranging from public shaming to court action.   
      
   One community, the Onion Lake Cree Nation on the Alberta-Saskatchewan border,   
   took the government to court, unsuccessfully trying to convince the   
   Conservatives to talk with First Nations about their finances.   
      
   Bennett said she's hopeful that lifting sanctions will open the door to talks   
   with indigenous communities and help both levels of government to work   
   together.   
      
   "These initial steps will enable us to engage in discussions on transparency   
   and accountability that are based on recognition of rights, respect,   
   co-operation and partnership and that build towards a renewed, n   
   tion-to-nation relationship with indigenous    
   peoples."   
      
   Aaron Wudrick, the CTF's director, said the move makes no sense.   
      
   "A law without consequence for non-compliance is a toothless law," he said.   
   "As such, soon many First Nations people across the country will again be in   
   the dark as to how their elected leaders spend public dollars."   
      
       'Many First Nations people across the country will again be in the dark as   
   to how their elected leaders spend public dollars'   
      
   Wudrick noted that the vast majority of First Nations were in compliance with   
   the law both last year and in fiscal 2014-15.   
      
   "Suspending enforcement of this law is wrong, and completely undermines the   
   very principles this government claims to be advancing."   
      
   Not surprisingly, the Conservatives were also critical, accusing the Liberal   
   government of gutting a federal law without going through proper parliamentary   
   channels.   
      
   "For all practical purposes, this is a repeal of the act, being carried out   
   without actually bothering to give members of Parliament any chance to debate   
   it," said indigenous affairs critic Cathy McLeod.   
      
   "It is ironic that a law about transparency is being gutted in such a   
   non-transparent way."   
      
   Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde welcomed what he   
   called a "new approach," predicting it would result in "real accountability by   
   all parties."   
   ________________________________   
      
   Really?  Just like before?   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)