The federal government is seeking a court order to force the Liard First Nation to disclose its financial information.

The application was filed in Federal Court on April 8 by the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. The portfolio is currently held by Bernard Valcourt.

It requests an order that would require the Watson Lake-based First Nation to “carry out the duties imposed” in the First Nations Financial Transparency Act.

Under the act, which came into effect in March 2013, bands are required to publish audited financial statements, including chief and councillor salaries and expenses, online.

According to the legislation, First Nations have 120 days after the end of the financial year to publish the documents. For the 2013-2014 year, that deadline was July 29, 2014.

“Liard First Nation has failed to, or refused to, publish all of the documents in accordance with section 8 of the Act for the financial year of 2013-2014 despite repeated demands from the Minister to comply with the Act and despite having been provided additional time within which to meet the requirements of the act,” the government’s application states.

Across Canada, 581 First Nations fall under the Act and are required to disclose their financial information, according to Aboriginal Affairs.

Liard is one of 10 that hasn’t done so for 2013-2014. It’s the only Yukon First Nation on that list.

The act doesn’t apply to the territory’s 11 First Nations that signed land claim and self-government agreements.

A judge has not yet ruled on the government’s application.

Liard Chief Daniel Morris and deputy chief Cindy Porter were served with the documents on April 14.

No one could be reached at the Liard First Nation today for comment.

Morris has not responded to the Star’s interview requests on a variety of subjects since he was elected in December 2013.

This is the latest development in a series of financial troubles for the First Nation.

In January 2014, it laid off about 40 employees, calling the layoffs temporary and a response to a difficult financial situation.

Last September, the federal government placed the First Nation under third-party management after it defaulted on its funding agreement with Ottawa.

The arrangement means all Aboriginal Affairs money for the band is being redirected to a third party — in this case, the Vancouver-based Ganhada Management Group — for administration of funds for programs and services.

A default occurs when an auditor flags concerns with a First Nation’s financial statements or when the band’s “financial position” — including bankruptcy — puts its program delivery at risk, compromising “the welfare of the community,” Aboriginal Affairs states on its website.

“The goal is to increase the capacity of the Liard First Nation so that it may return to fulfill its obligations towards community members,” a department news release said at the time.

Numerous lawsuits have also been filed against the First Nation and its development corporation, alleging money owed.