THUNDER BAY -- Mayor Keith Hobbs called upon citizens to support the city's police service in his annual State of the City Address on Monday.
His support for the Thunder Bay Police Service, with which he served before taking office, shone alongside his accolades for those fighting racism in the city as he wove the issues together.
"Often, the men and women of Thunder Bay police bear the burden of our societal problems, be it mental health issues, drug and or alcohol-related crime, or domestic violence calls, It is time that our citizenry get behind our officers, as they work hard to keep us safe," Hobbs said.
"We need to work with them and support them and our Crime Prevention Council in making Thunder Bay a safer, more welcoming city. That must include improved social conditions for all through a unified approach by all orders of government.
"That is the 'test.' That the opportunity of our future."
Hobbs began the address entitled, "Toward Becoming Our Best" by honouring the Robinson Superior Treaty and recognizing the city was built on the traditional lands of the Ojibwa people of Fort William First Nation.
He praised the Anti-Racism and respect Advisory Committee, whose members are working toward a spring release of an incident reporting and referral service.
He condemned racism as a problem that "exists in Canadian society and every city across the country and the globe," as he urged citizens to stand up for respect as a human right.
"Leaders are standing up to make it known racism is unacceptable," he said.
In clarifying comments the mayor made after the meeting, he said he rejects the systemic racism accusations that have been leveled at the local police service and its leadership just as he separates the alleged notion of ongoing colonialism when he speaks of police and societal problems.
"I'm talking about drug and alcohol additions, homelessness, housing, they take the brunt of it. They're just there to clean up society's messes," Hobbs said of the city's police officers.
"These are men and women who have families in Thunder Bay. They do community service work like I've never seen before. They're not to blame for the messes governments have left."
Hobbs expressed admiration for Ontario Regional Chief Isadore Day in his address for suggesting a four-corner table be established between the governments of Canada, Ontario, municipalities and First Nations.
He also used the term "admire" to express respect for Ontario Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation David Zimmer for his response to the city's Intergovernmental Affairs Committee during a recent meeting. Thunder Bay has requested the province establish an Indigenous Relations Office in the city.
Hobbs called Fort William First Nation's flag permanently flying outside of city hall "an important step in the right direction," agreeing with the First Nation's Chief Peter Collins' comments on the "significant day" in May.
"For the last 150 years, our communities and peoples have lived side by side," he said of Fort Willam First Nation.
"We can continue to plan for a future where our two communities grow together, and succeed together, to establish a more formal and collaborative relationship where we both benefit."
