Tla’amin Nation’s 2025 budget was unanimously approved by the Tla’amin legislature on March 27 and presented to Tla’amin citizens by chief financial officer Janel Silvey during the May 2 general assembly.
According to a Tla’amin media release, the budget will fund actions laid out in the 2025 operational plan, which flows from the comprehensive plan. It includes an $18.5 million increase in capital expenditures over financial year 2024, for a total capital investment of $25.4 million. A new culture centre, sewage project and housing developments are driving the increase, the release stated.
The budget includes a planned deficit of $8.6 million. A planned deficit happens when spending outpaces revenues for a current fiscal year and the government draws from its savings to meet the current year needs.
Hegus John Hackett stated that Tla'amin has been focused on critical capital funding since the treaty was signed to meet this need.
“We have been negotiating with our treaty partners so that when the time was right, we could breathe life into our laws and authorities,” stated Hackett. “That time has come.
“This budget reflects citizen priorities and continues Tla’amin Nation on the path of expanded educational, health and recreation services, and safe, clean and functional housing and infrastructure. While our historic infrastructure funding gap remains significant, we are committed to working with our treaty partners to make it right.”
The release stated that 85 per cent of the 2025 budget will be spent on community-facing services and 15 per cent is for administration and government.
Operating costs comprise $49.3 million (66 per cent) of the financial year 2025 budget, the release stated. These include day-to-day expenses such as program and service delivery, repairs and maintenance, and staff wages. There was an increase of $10.6 million in operating costs this year, according to the release.
Finance housepost Lori Wilson stated that the budgeting process is outlined in Tla’amin law and provides opportunities for citizen, staff and leadership inputs.
“Our budgeting process this year started back in October, gathering input from staff, we heard citizen priorities in December and revised the budget,” stated Wilson. “The Tla’amin finance committee examined it and recommended the budget to the legislature for a vote. We are pleased that it passed unanimously and feel this gives us a strong mandate to get to work.”
New programs, services and projects in budget 2025 include: $5.6m in new housing projects; increased funding for housing repairs and proactive inspections; $8.8 million toward the cultural centre and traditional foods facility; land-based and float cabins in the territory; increased investment in the language immersion program; a bridge and truck for Theodosia Inlet.
There will also be a youth sport fund, which is a new program being developed for Tla’amin citizens to provide reimbursement of registration fees paid for their youth to participate in a sport or recreation programs. Additionally, there will be a youth travel assistance program to support travel fees for sport activities, increased investment in community training needs, plus race canoes and training.
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