The chief of the Coquitlam First Nation whose $914,000 remuneration has sparked outrage says most of it is a bonus for bringing economic development to his people, including an $8-million partnership with the Evergreen Line.

According to figures posted under the federal government’s new First Nations Financial Transparency Act, Kwikwetlem Chief Ron Giesbrecht got $914,219 in 2013-14. The band said Giesbrecht made $4,800 as chief, $80,000 as economic development officer, $16,574 for expenses and more than $812,000 in the economic development bonus.

In an interview with the Tri-Cities Now, Giesbrecht said a 10-per-cent of gross profits bonus for new development projects was built into the contract for the band’s economic development officer three years ago, to give that person an incentive to get contracts.

When the economic development officer left for another job last September, Giesbrecht took over the job and contract.

He told Tri-Cities Now that the band’s fortunes took off after the B.C. government started offering extra points on construction bids for contracts for companies that partner with First Nations.

The band said it has six projects on the go worth millions, including a contract worth more than $8 million to remove dirt during construction of the tunnel of the Evergreen Line, and a project to remediate a fuel depot on the old Riverview Hospital grounds.

“Whoever thought the bonus would be this much? I tell you, I never would have,” said Giesbrecht. “I never in my wildest dreams thought I would make that kind of money on [capital] projects like this.”

Giesbrecht said when he learned of the size of the bonus, he had the clause removed from the economic development officer contract. And he said in light of the surge in economic activity, the band likely will hire someone else to take over as economic development officer.

However, when asked whether he would consider returning some of the bonus to the band, he said he didn’t want to comment.

The B.C. government refused to provide further details on its $8.3 million payment last year to the band, including refused to confirm whether or not the funds relate to the Evergreen Line.

“The provincial funding is a result of an economic benefit agreement. I’m sorry, but we do not disclose economic benefits agreements without the consent of the First Nations involved,” Aboriginal Relations spokeswoman Corinna Filion wrote in an email.

Giesbrecht’s salary details were disclosed this week as part of the Harper government’s new legislation requiring all Canadian bands to make public details of their leaders’ remuneration.

With files from Chad Skelton, Vancouver Sun

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