OTTAWA — An elderly B.C. First Nations chief and his ex-wife, along with one of their sons and a grandson, received more than $4.1-million in remuneration over the past four years.
Shuswap First Nation Chief Paul Sam, 80, gets a tax-free salary that has averaged $264,000 over that period to run a tiny reserve near Invermere, a resort community near the Alberta border.
The Shuswap have 267 members, of whom just 87 live on the reserve.
His son, Dean Martin, is doing even better, with an average annual annual salary of $536,000 over the period running a band corporation that operates various businesses on and near the reserve.
The figures were provided this week to The Vancouver Sun by disgruntled Shuswap members who are challenging in next month’s election a family that has ruled for more than three decades.
A dissident councillor, who earns $57,700 annually, said she was unaware until recently that Chief Sam and the only other councillor, ex-wife Alice Sam, 82, were earning such big salaries.
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“We had no idea. We are absolutely disgusted,” Barbara Cote said Thursday while vowing to reform band finances if she’s successful in the election.
Chief Sam and his former wife both reported salaries of $202,000, their lowest in the four years. The chief’s top salary was just under $300,000 in 2010-11, while the top year for Alice Sam was 2011-12 when she earned $242,000.
Even the $202,000 figures make them the highest-paid politicians on an after-tax basis not only among First Nations leaders but also among all Canadian politicians, according to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper earns $327,400 and B.C. Premier Christy Clark $193,532.
Dean Martin and band media relations spokesman Gord Martin said their parents’ hard work and longevity justify salaries higher than a prime minister.
“With all due respect to Harper and to everybody else, I don’t think they’ve been in power for 34 straight years,” said Dean Martin, chief executive officer of Kinbasket Development Corp.
He also noted that his father is also the band manager, while his mother is the bookkeeper.
Dean Martin was paid $765,651 in 2010-11. The total fell to $431,549 in 2012-13. Figures for the latest fiscal year weren’t available.
Mr. Martin said the high salaries are justified because the family has brought economic development to the community, including a golf course and resort, a new supermarket, a Tim Hortons and a hardware store.
“I’m not embarrassed about what we’re doing,” Mr. Martin said.
The band took in just over $900,000 in 2013-14 from the federal Aboriginal Affairs and Health departments.
Mr. Martin’s late son Randy, a councillor, earned $276,012 in 2010-11 and $301,341 in 2011-12. He died early in 2012 during a trip to Las Vegas.
B.C. First Nations chief and family paid more than $4.1M over last four years | National Post
Shuswap First Nation Chief Paul Sam, 80, gets a tax-free salary that has averaged $264,000 over that period to run a tiny reserve near Invermere, a resort community near the Alberta border.
The Shuswap have 267 members, of whom just 87 live on the reserve.
His son, Dean Martin, is doing even better, with an average annual annual salary of $536,000 over the period running a band corporation that operates various businesses on and near the reserve.
The figures were provided this week to The Vancouver Sun by disgruntled Shuswap members who are challenging in next month’s election a family that has ruled for more than three decades.
A dissident councillor, who earns $57,700 annually, said she was unaware until recently that Chief Sam and the only other councillor, ex-wife Alice Sam, 82, were earning such big salaries.
Related
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- Kwikwetlem chief got massive salary in part by abandoning land claim and taking 10% of $8M payout
- Justin Trudeau wants to scrap new law that allowed discovery of First Nation chief’s massive income
- First Nation band says it ‘knew nothing’ about chief’s ‘disconcerting’ $914K tax free salary
“We had no idea. We are absolutely disgusted,” Barbara Cote said Thursday while vowing to reform band finances if she’s successful in the election.
Chief Sam and his former wife both reported salaries of $202,000, their lowest in the four years. The chief’s top salary was just under $300,000 in 2010-11, while the top year for Alice Sam was 2011-12 when she earned $242,000.
Even the $202,000 figures make them the highest-paid politicians on an after-tax basis not only among First Nations leaders but also among all Canadian politicians, according to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper earns $327,400 and B.C. Premier Christy Clark $193,532.
Dean Martin and band media relations spokesman Gord Martin said their parents’ hard work and longevity justify salaries higher than a prime minister.
“With all due respect to Harper and to everybody else, I don’t think they’ve been in power for 34 straight years,” said Dean Martin, chief executive officer of Kinbasket Development Corp.
‘We’re not just a band, we are a nation, and to lead it for 34 years, is something totally unheard of’
“To be … the leader of a nation, and we’re not just a band, we are a nation, and to lead it for 34 years, is something totally unheard of, I don’t care in what political field you’re in.”
He also noted that his father is also the band manager, while his mother is the bookkeeper.
Dean Martin was paid $765,651 in 2010-11. The total fell to $431,549 in 2012-13. Figures for the latest fiscal year weren’t available.
Mr. Martin said the high salaries are justified because the family has brought economic development to the community, including a golf course and resort, a new supermarket, a Tim Hortons and a hardware store.
“I’m not embarrassed about what we’re doing,” Mr. Martin said.
The band took in just over $900,000 in 2013-14 from the federal Aboriginal Affairs and Health departments.
Mr. Martin’s late son Randy, a councillor, earned $276,012 in 2010-11 and $301,341 in 2011-12. He died early in 2012 during a trip to Las Vegas.
B.C. First Nations chief and family paid more than $4.1M over last four years | National Post
