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TFN’s elected Chief is responsible for chairing meetings of the Executive Council, participating in the Tsawwassen Legislature, and providing ongoing strategic direction respecting day-to-day matters of Tsawwassen Government. The Chief is elected on a separate ballot at a TFN general election, and normally serves a 3-year term in office.
The Chief works closely with the Chief Administrative Officer to manage the affairs of TFN. In addition to those responsibilities, the Chief currently sits as a Board Member on the Naust’sa mawt Tribal Council. The Chief also occupies TFN’s seat at the table of the Metro Vancouver Board of Directors, and a seat on Translink’s Mayors Council.
TFN’s current Chief is Ken Baird. Ken was first elected to the position of Chief on April 6, 2019.
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Tsawwassen Legislature
The Tsawwassen Legislature is the highest body of the Tsawwassen Government. It consists of 13 Tsawwassen Members, elected at a general election, plus the Chief, for a total of 14 Members. The duties of the Legislature are to discuss and make laws, which form the fundamental organizing principles and expressions of Tsawwassen Government. As part of that function the Legislature passes an annual budget, which is a key part of the accountability structure of Tsawwassen Government.
There are normally two sessions of the Legislature each year (Spring and Fall). Each session lasts approximately 2 months; the number of meetings during each session varies, depending on the number and complexity of the bills and/or resolutions that are before the legislature during a given session. All meetings of the Legislature are open to the public.
The current members of the Tsawwassen Legislature are:
- Ken Baird (Chief)
- Laura Cassidy
- Louise Ahlm
- Steve Stark
- Valerie Cross
- Sheila Williams
- Loretta Williams
- Tia Williams
- Victoria Williams
- Kethy Genge
- Mike Baird
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The Squiqel
The Squiqel (Speaker) is responsible for chairing sittings of the Legislature, maintaining order, and ensuring that legislators have a fair opportunity to speak. The Sqiuqel is chosen by the members of the Legislature during the first sitting following a general election. The Squiqel for the 2019-2022 term will be chosen during the first sitting of the new Legislature.
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Executive Council
TFN’s Executive Council (EC) is responsible for managing day-to-day matters and providing strategic direction to the CAO and Tsawwassen Government. Made up of the four Legislators receiving the highest number of votes in the General Election, plus the Chief, this body meets on a weekly basis. EC is also responsible for passing regulations, approving policies, and preparing laws and budget considerations for the Legislature.
The current members of TFN’s Executive Council are:
Laura Cassidy
Louise Ahlm
Steve Stark
Valerie Cross
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Advisory Council
The Advisory Council acts as a mechanism to ensure that proposed laws, regulations, and other issues are considered by Tsawwassen Members in an open forum, prior to being reviewed by the Executive Council and/or the Legislature for approval. The Council acts as a forum to raise questions and concerns, and bring feedback from the Members to the Executive Council and Legislature on all policy and legislative directives. There are 7 seats on the Advisory Council; any Tsawwassen Member aged 13 or older can run for a seat. Elections for the Council are held during the TFN Annual General Meeting following a Tsawwassen General Election (normally every three years).
The current members of TFN’s Advisory Council are:
Ruth Adams
Kathy Genge
John Peter Morgan
Angeline Splockton
Dawn Williams
Liana Williams
Merle Williams
Last Updated April 26 2019