The chief of the Kwikwetlem First Nation, which has reserves in Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam, made nearly three-quarters less than the band’s top elected official last year.
According to financial papers made public Aug. 10 under the federal First Nations Financial Transparency Act, Chief Ron Giesbrecht earned $19,256 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018.
By comparison, Coun. Fred Hulbert was paid $73,680 for his 12 months on council while Coun. Ed Hall took in $63,680 for six months of work and Coun. John Peters earned $54,251 for his half year.
The disclosures also show each reaped a band member profit-sharing bonus: Giesbrecht and Hulbert took in $13,781 while Hall received $9,639 and Peters $4,442.
A request for comment to Kwikwetlem First Nation about the band council remuneration was not immediately returned.
Giesbrecht’s remuneration for 2017/’18 is in stark contrast from five years ago.
In 2013, the band leader received a controversial $914,000 for his role as chief and economic development officer (in the latter post, Giesbrecht reaped an $800,000 bonus as part of a 10% cut from an $8-million land deal on Burke Mountain that year; all bonuses for that position were removed April 1, 2014).
As leader, Giesbrecht is responsible for 107 band members, about half of which live on IR1.
By comparison, Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart, whose constituents total about 135,000, received a base salary last year of $138,239. Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore, who has about 57,000 people in his jurisdiction, earned a base pay last year of $94,484 while Port Moody Mayor Mike Clay, whose community includes about 34,000 residents, yielded $58,980.
Meanwhile, the band also released its consolidated financial statements for the year ending March 31, 2018, showing a fund balance of $12 million — a $2-million jump over its previous year.
Its annual revenues come from, among other agencies: net proceeds from land sales ($5.2 million); Kinder Morgan Canada ($2 million); Indigenous Services Canada ($595,836); Saskay Land Development ($683,829); and rent ($600,558).
Kwikwetlem’s expenses for the year totalled $8.7 million for economic development, band programs and community services, the statements read.
