City will not officially endorse Guardian Angels

THUNDER BAY – City administration says the municipality won’t provide an endorsement to the local Guardian Angels chapter.

In a report, signed by city manager Norm Gale and scheduled to be presented to council on Monday, administration says the City of Thunder Bay simply does not endorse organizations.

An October 2015 request by Guardian Angels director Ian Hodgkinson was reviewed by the city’s legal service and the city clerk.

“Administration advises that the Corporation of the City of Thunder Bay does not endorse any organization, largely not to be seen as favouring any particular organization over another. Formal endorsement of any group may also bring the risk of liability.”

The report goes on to say endorsement can provide legitimacy to organizations, which is not also not the role of the city.
“It is the roles of individual organizations to establish themselves,” the report says.

Thunder Bay Police Chief J.P. Levesque said his service also won’t endorse organizations.

“The Thunder Bay Police Service will work with, co-operate with and support well-intentioned community organizations that contribute in an effort to make our community safer and healthier,” Levesque said in a statement.

The Guardian Angels are welcome to attend meetings of the crime prevention council and the drug strategy, which are open to the public and to participate in other community safety initiatives.

“The city welcomes their expertise and participation,” the report says.