Transparency and Ethical Practice
TLB Council and Management Practices
Curve Lake First Nation representatives and Indigenous community members have maintained a majority presence within The Land Between’s Governance Council. The Council is also reflective of the broader communities we serve. Mainstream residents with lived experience contribute alongside Indigenous members, strengthening governance through diverse perspectives, knowledge systems, and community-rooted insight.
The Governance Council works closely with the Chief Operating Officer (COO) to help ensure that organizational practices, decisions, contracts, and partnerships are aligned with the charity’s ethical framework, accountability standards, and stewardship responsibilities.
Recruitment and Workplace Values
Recruitment and Workplace Values
Our organization practices equal opportunity and merit-based recruitment.
Employment decisions are guided by qualifications, experience, and the needs of the role. We do not apply quotas or numerical diversity targets.
We strive to be representative of our communities and to maintain a respectful and inclusive workplace culture grounded in professionalism, fairness, and accountability.
In response to community interest, we have expanded our financial disclosures to include reporting on human resource expenses and earnings.
Our COO's Earnings from 2014 to 2024
Leora Berman, our COO and CoFounder has operated as Aquatilus Consulting from 2014 to 2020, and since 2020 to the present as the Ber Company. Her billing changes annually according to capacity and resources; the average per annum spread over ten years has been $58040.00.
However, she has not received the full amount that has been billed, because, as feasible, Leora has not drawn the full amount invoiced from the charity in order to leave an emergency unrestricted float for unexpected costs. This was deemed necessary by Leora and the Council until the charity builds a significant basket of donations to cover unexpected costs such as turtle care, vehicle repair etc.).
In 2023 the outstanding amount owing her was $173,332.00. This amount represented both her unclaimed salary for the year and previous outstanding amounts owing. In 2024 as the reserve has grown slightly from donations and earnings from children's camps, Leora has made an effort to clear the Related Party account owing. Therefore as of 2024 she was paid part of the outstanding bills, and is currently owed $80999.00 from previous unclaimed invoice amounts.
Leora donates approx. 30% of her hours; working an average of 6 days a week for 10 hours a day.
A Commitment to Hiring Youth and Supporting Our Futures
Covid Wage Subsidy
The Land Between accessed the Covid Wage Subsidy and used the funds to hire over 75 young staff over three years, with a goal to support local youth and families through a scary time. We provided as many jobs as possible to assist youth feel hopeful and develop skills, when schools were shut down and career paths were seemingly ended. The charity was audited by CRA and deemed eligible.
Canada Summer Jobs and the Youth Employment Strategy Program Subsidies
The charity serves communities across 10 municipalities. Meanwhile our program Turtle Guardians delivers services and support to people across Ontario, and into Quebec and New Brunswick. We also have volunteers and groups involved in eastern North America. In order to deliver services, such as research into fisheries, the eastern wolf and the coyote conundrum, declines in birds, and in order to help lake associations, landowners, and stakeholder groups, we hire youth from across the province. Each year the Canada Summer Jobs revenue pays for the basic minimum wage for an average of 40 positions that we hire across Ontario. These opportunities provide young adults in our communities with new skills and experience to start their careers in fish and wildlife management, conservation, tourism, and economic development. Canada Summer Job subsidies have equalled $300,000.00 or more of our operating dollars. The Youth Employment Strategy also provides some support where we are approved, and offers up to 10 months of subsidies at 70% of salaries. It is important to note that we pay beyond the minimum wage provided to ensure youth have a living wage. A living wage in Haliburton, for instance is estimated at $20.00/hour. There is no supervisory or administrative support dollars provided through CSJ or any other wage subsidy.
