Raking it in on compensation issue

Page 13

While former Supreme Court Justice Frank Iacobucci studies the residential school compensation issue and works out a plan that would resolve the long-standing grievance of former students, a lot of people are making good money as a result of previous rez-school compensation processes.

Huge amounts of money are being paid out in salaries to a small army of government officials involved in the processes to date.

There is an industry that has sprung up around the residential school compensation issue, says Millie Poplar. Originally from Old Crow in the Yukon, Poplar used to work as a researcher for the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs. She now works on social justice issues for the Anglican Church in Ottawa.

She compiled a lengthy chart showing all the government, church and First Nation entities that have already consumed millions of dollars by the residential school issue. The chart was created as a guide for new members of the Anglican church's Indigenous Justice Working Group. It was forwarded to this publication by a third party who was alarmed by the number of groups and people involved.

"I'm trying to show how big they are ... especially when you look at how they produce public information; it's just so costly- workshop materials, videos, brochures.

Poplar saw a draft document dealing with the Assembly of First Nations' proposed truth and reconciliation commission and wondered if the creation of a national board is the best way to serve the former residential school students.

"When you talk about reconciliation and partnership and that kind of talk, all you see is this huge bureaucracy. Where is the real constructive healing here? I don't know if I see that. Why do they continually establish these national bodies? I always measure things by Old Crow, a very isolated little Indian village. It most certainly doesn't have updated resources at its fingertips. In Old Crow, if a handful of people realize they have this historical problem and want to deal with it, I'm sure that chief and council will just assign their local health and welfare worker who will know the people and be able to sit down and do it in their own language," she said.

She knows that a small group of people have become expert at getting appointed to board positions where high per diems, first class travel and accomodation in five star hotels is the practice.

"These darn boards, they expect so much pay. They want the best of everything," she said. "Do the communities recommend them? They get good pay when they're on the board and they're well taken care of."

Poplar, like many of the people we spoke to for this article, was shocked when shown the contract of the chief adjudicator of the government's alternative dispute resolution process, former judge Ted Hughes.

According to a posting on MERX, the Web site used to post tenders for government contracts, Hughes could be paid almost $1 million over the next year or two.

The advanced contract award notice (ACAN) posted on MERX shows that Ted Hughes' contract as chief adjudicator for Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada was up for renewal on July 1. The new contract was set to run until June 30, 2006, but it contained one option term from July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007. The contract will be based on an "as needed and as required basis." The estimated value of the contract is $712,040.

When we questioned the federal department responsible for setting that number, Alexander Swann, spokesman for Anne McLellan, the deputy prime minister, responded to our questions.

"The amount you cite is over two years and is a possible, a maximum," he said.

Swann provided the standard government rates that would apply when a person of Hughes' experience and ability is hired as a contractor. Professional fees are paid at a maximum rate of $1,300 a day for no more than 220 days a year. Contractors are also reimbursed for GST paid per year, up to $20,020. Travel costs pr year are capped at $50,000.

There are 13 different duties listed on Hughes' ACAN. Many of them will obviously require a lot of work and, therefore, a lot of $1,300 days.

Windspeaker asked Swann what Iacobucci was being paid.

"Mr. [Frank] Iacobucci was appointed by the minister of Justice as a legal agent, and consequently, the basis on which he is remunerated is different. The department of Justice has provided the following description of remuneration for legal agents," he replied. "Remuneration for domestic legal services of a civil nature is negotiated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with established guidelines and taking into consideration a number of factors, which include: nature and complexity of the work; areas of expertise required of counsel; level of experience required of counsel; urgency; and the regional market in which services are required."

In short, it could be quite a bit more than the chief adjudicator is raking in.

"Where are they getting all that money from?" Millie Poplar asked.

Ray Mason, chairman of Spirit Wind, a grassroots residential school survivors' group, was speechless for a moment when he heard how much money the government was prepared to pay Hughes.

"Whew! So what they give us doesn't even put a dent into one of their salaries. That's pathetic," he said. He also wondered what Iacobucci will be paid. He is scheduled to meet with the federal representative sometime this fall.

"If I get the chance I will ask him," he said.