Harold Calla serves as the Executive Chair of the First Nations Financial Management Board (FMB). One of four institutions created under the Fiscal Management Act, FMB supports First Nations economic development by increasing access to capital markets and providing capacity development support to First Nations in the areas of financial administration law development. This includes optional certification of financial performance and governance systems.
A member of the Squamish Nation, Harold returned from many years focused on international business to serve the Squamish Nation as a negotiator in the areas of economic development, land management and finance. He served eight years on the Squamish Council. He has acted as an advisor and an arbitrator for First Nations in Western Canada, including leading the First Nation Summit’s Tax and Fiscal Table in the BC Treaty process.
He was instrumental in the development of the First Nations Land Management Act, First Nations Fiscal Management Act (FMA), First Nations Commercial and Industrial Development Act (FNCIDA), and the First Nations Oil and Gas and Moneys Management Act. These optional legislative pieces allow First Nations on a sectorial basis the ability to move out from under the Indian Act. He played a central role in the formation of the First Nations Major Project Coalition to support First Nations in participating in major resource projects.
Harold is a member of the Board of Directors of Trans Mountain Corporation and the British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. He is a former member of the Board of Fortis BC Inc. where he was the Chair of the Audit Committee. He has completed terms on the Boards of CMHC, Partnerships BC, and the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology. He is a member of the Assembly of First Nations-& Indigenous Services Canada Committee on Fiscal Relations.
Harold is a recipient of numerous awards in recognition of excellence in leadership; he was most recently honoured by the Public Policy Forum at their 2023 Testimonial Dinner. As well, when the C.G.A. Association of Canada celebrated their 100th year in 2008, they recognized Harold as one of 100 CGA’s who, in their view, have made a difference. In August 2012 Harold was awarded a fellowship by the C.G.A. Association of Canada. Harold is a member of the Aboriginal Financial Officers Association and has been awarded the designation of Certified Aboriginal Financing Manager (CAFM). Harold was inducted into the accounting Hall of Fame in 2024.
In 2022, Harold led an FMB delegation to Australia by invitation from the Australian National University. There he presented at and participated in the First Nations Wealth Forum and Marramarra Murru Symposium, and connected directly with Indigenous leaders and communities.
On two occasions Harold presented at the United Nations in support of Canada’s recognition of the United Nations Rights of Indigenous People and Canada’s efforts to implement an action plan. The presentation focus was to highlight Canada and First Nations efforts to create Indigenous institutions that support administrative governance and financial management to reduce risk to enable easier access to the capital markets.
Join the Summit
