Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to respond to the hon. member for Wild Rose on behalf of the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development concerning the forensic audits.
For too long the solution has been to have the federal government come to the rescue and fix all the problems that emerge in and around the reserve communities. We tried this approach and we know that having evaluated it in the past 50 years it has not worked. The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples sent us a message to change. Today our approach is to work in partnership with first nations to build a plan that will create real change on behalf of aboriginal people.
First nations governments are expected to conduct their affairs in accordance with the principles common to all governments in Canada, namely, transparency, disclosure and redress. These principles are intended to ensure accountability of first nation leaders to their communities. To help build effective administration for this responsibility, all first nations are required to complete an evaluation of their current accountability and management practices. Where weaknesses are identified, first nations develop a plan to strengthen them. First nations are taking the initiative to build the necessary support for this activity.
First nations governments and the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development work together. When problems do occur, and they do occur, a remedial management plan is put into place to help restore the first nation's financial health. This plan could include placing the first nation under a co-management plan or even third party management.
Where there is evidence of wrongdoing, it should be taken to the police as the member has alluded to. In this case of course they found there was no wrongdoing. In a first nations community, as in other communities, the police have the authority and responsibility to investigate allegations of wrongdoing.
Accountability is fundamental to self-government. We continue to partner with first nations private sector organizations and governments and we will continue to work constructively with all first nations to ensure accountability.