GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION ACT

Act

GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION ACT (PDF 224KB)

Regulations

Chief and Executive Council Renumeration Regulation
(posted Dec. 8, 2009)
Advisory Council Regulation (posted May 19, 2011)

Summary:

Note: The summary below is not a legal document. It should not be relied upon for accuracy and does not in any way replace, supercede, or supplement the Law.

This Act is the foundational law that establishes the components and functions of the TFN government.  It sets out the authorities, responsibilities and rules that govern the following government bodies:
The Tsawwassen Legislature - composed of the Chief and elected legislators, it votes on and approves TFN laws.
The Executive Council - composed of the Chief and the four legislators with the highest number of votes in an election, it manages, administers and operates the TFN government, prepares proposed laws for consideration by the Legislature, appoints officials, and enacts regulations.
The Advisory Council - advises the Legislature and Executive Council on the ideas and concerns of TFN Members and reviews proposed TFN laws before they are finalized.
Judicial Council - determines the validity of TFN Laws, resolves legal disputes, and hears appeals of administrative decisions.
The Act establishes and sets out the authorities and responsibilities of the following important TFN government officials:
The Chief - the head and representative of the TFN government, oversees day to day operations of TFN government, and carries out other duties as required by TFN law.
The Speaker of the Legislature - responsible for chairing sittings of the Legislature, maintaining order, and ensuring that legislators have a fair opportunity to speak.
Chief Administrative Officer - responsible for the management and administration of the TFN government.
Elected and appointed officials are required by the Act to make a statutory declaration describing any criminal convictions in the past five years, the names of family members, and the names of firms, corporations and partnerships where they or their family members have an interest.  This disclosure statement will be available for inspection by TFN Members.
The Act also establishes a registry where records of TFN laws, final decisions of the Judicial Council, and related materials will be kept and made available to the public.