The Act was not designed to promote effective, stable and strong First Nation governments. For example, even now terms of office of Chief and council are only two years, hardly enough time to achieve goals. Other governments in Canada operate three to four year terms. New governance legislation is to provide First Nations operating under the Indian Act with effective tools to exercise transparent, responsive and financially accountable governance. First Nations themselves are demanding greater accountability, more transparency, and vehicles for redress.
Good governance means an effective system of checks and balances.
It means redress when there are wrongs. It means a clear understanding of everyone s rights. The objective of this framework is to empower First Nations governments and to provide a base on which First Nation-led initiatives could be built such as oil and gas, financial institutions and the expansion of the First Nations Land Management Act to include other First Nations. The Speech from the Throne affirmed that Canada is committed to working with First Nations to develop the tools required for strong representative governance. It also involves strengthening governance, because that is what creates and sustains the conditions for social and economic development.