Mr. Speaker, the financial statements of first nations and their organizations are treated as confidential and exempted from disclosure by paragraph 20(1)(b) of the Access to Information Act. Portions are mandatorily protected under subsection 19(1), which protects personal information. A federal court decision of April 15, 1988 judged that information on Indian band financial statements was confidential and not subject to public release under paragraph 20(1)(b) of the Access to Information Act by the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. Subject to further direction from parliament, the department follows this law and policy.
First nations are required to make their audited financial statements available to members of their community.
Individuals interested in reviewing a first nations audit can contact the chief and council who will decide whether to disclose audits to non-band members.
Information about public grants and contributions to first nations bands is available in other records related to departmental program spending.
I therefore would ask the hon. member for Skeena to withdraw his motion.