Summary of December 11th Legislative Assembly
December 13th, 2024
Tla’amin Nation Legislative Assembly convened on December 11th for the winter session with a focus on three topics, Audit 2023, Budget 2026 and Housing Arrears forgiveness.
Audit 2023
Tla’amin auditor David Bond (KPMG LLP) presented the 2023 audited financial statements which were accepted by motion of the Legislative Assembly.
The 2023 statements were first presented to Tla’amin citizens at the December 5, 2023, General Assembly but could not be formalized until Tla’amin Management Services (TMS) finished their 2022 audit. The final 2023 audited financial statements are available here.
Tla’amin has a new auditor for 2025, a request for proposals for audit services in 2024 resulted in several bids. The winning firm is Doane Grant Thornton LLP, and they will provide audit services for both Tla’amin Nation and TMS to streamline the audit process. TMS is in the process of hiring a CFO which will also facilitate a smoother audit. The 2024 Audited financial statements are expected in early 2025.
Budget 2026
Legislators next reviewed budget 2026 covering April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026.
The budget builds on community engagement at the General Assembly in October, along with Comprehensive Nation Plan and other departmental priorities.
The 2026 $71 million budget forecasts a $5.6m planned deficit. Increased spending comes from $7.5m for tiskwat housing project, $2.8m for sewage connection to the city, $500k for a subdivision feasibility study, $380k for urban, rural and northern housing initiatives, $250k to support program and services at Ɂəms ʔayɛ, $200k to replace an outdated finance system, $165k in additional housing and building insurance costs.
Budget 2026 forecasts a $2.4 m increase in staffing costs including 24 new staff, seven of which are funded by external agencies.
The budget will be revised in the coming month for review by Tla’amin Finance Committee in February and presented to the Legislature for final review, revisions and approval in March 2025.
Mid-year financial update
CFO Janel Silvey provided a mid-year financial update for FY2025 and communicated that this years’ planned deficit of $8.5 million has been reduced to a planned deficit of $0.5 million. Additional interest earned on investment income, a larger dividend from Tla’amin management services, successful proposals and grants, and cost cutting measures have shrunk the deficit.
Housing Arrears
The concept of Housing Arrears forgiveness was discussed including recent community engagement at the General Assembly (see article in the December 2024 Neh Motl). Tla’amin Legislature made a motion to create a task force to bring back a full report on pre and post 2016 arrears, options and solutions.