Article content

OTTAWA – More than four out of five Canadians don’t want more money sent to aboriginal reserves unless proper, independent audits are conducted to ensure financial accountability. And fewer than one in three thinks the money spent by the federal government on reserves is well-managed by the native leaders and communities who receive it, according to an exclusive Ipsos Reid poll conducted for Postmedia News.

The issue of accountability on First Nations’ reserves wasn’t on the radar until recently, according to Ipsos Reid CEO Darrell Bricker.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Majority of Canadians concerned about financial accountability on First Nations reserves: poll Back to video

“People are looking for explanations and they’re pointing at a lot of people here,” he said, adding accountability isn’t seen as just an issue among non-aboriginals.

He suggested Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence’s much-publicized protest fast, which has gone on for over a month, hasn’t achieved much traction with Canadians. Indeed the poll showed Spence, who was still continuing to refuse solid foods as of Tuesday, has only a 29 per cent approval rating among Canadians.