THUNDER BAY – Delivering what is expected to be his final state of the city address, Keith Hobbs reaffirmed his belief that he and his wife will be cleared of criminal charges.
The Thunder Bay mayor, who along with his wife Marisa are facing charges of extortion and obstructing justice, addressed what he called the elephant in the room on Monday night and thanked his wife for her “courage in helping a stranger and her young daughter out of a horrible situation.”
“This compassion is something that I believe is needed more in our society. We are paying a huge price for that kind deed but we are stronger for it,” Hobbs said as Marisa sat in the gallery of council chambers.
“We have no doubt that the court of law – not the court of public opinion – will clear our name and that the truth will one day wash to shore.”
The couple, along with Mary Voss, were each charged by the OPP in July for allegedly attempting to extort high-profile lawyer Sandy Zaitzeff to purchase a house by threatening to bring a criminal complaint forward to police, according to court documents. Both the mayor and his wife are also each facing an obstructing justice charge for allegedly attempting to interfere in the RCMP’s extortion investigation.
Zaitzeff is facing numerous charges including multiple sexual offences involving a minor. As well, Thunder Bay Police Service chief J.P. Levesque stood trial on breach of trust and obstructing justice charges for disclosing that Hobbs was under investigation for extortion. The verdict on Levesque's trial is expected in January 2018 and none of the other charges have been proven in court.
Hobbs took a three-month paid leave of absence after the charges were publicly announced before returning to office in September. At a city council meeting in April, Hobbs publicly announced he would not be seeking a third term as the city’s mayor during next year’s municipal election.
“I’ve done the best that I can do in the seven, going on eight years as mayor,” Hobbs said in an interview following the meeting. “If it’s not enough, people will tell me about it I’m sure and tell everyone about it. I think I did my best and I’m not apologizing to anyone for anything we’ve done.”
During the more than 30-minute speech, Hobbs on multiple occasions became emotional as he teared up and his voice cracked while recounting highlights of his two terms, specifically hosting the 2011 Special Olympics Ontario Winter Games.
“Seeing their faces and feeling the energy at the venues was an experience I will never forget,” Hobbs said.
And while he cited many accomplishments, Hobbs acknowledged there are certain areas where more progress is needed.
The mayor identified the ongoing work in renewing the city’s relationship with the Indigenous population to bridge racial divides that he acknowledged put the city under the national microscope.
“We have placed a great deal of emphasis on this monumental challenge put before our city,” Hobbs said.
“Through the Anti-Racism and Respect Committee, to our response to the Seven Youth Inquest, the work that we do must move our city to a place where all families thrive, regardless of race or status.”
Hobbs also issued caution to the next council, which will be seated when the next state of the city address will be delivered by his successor, that hard work and determination will be required.
“Juggling the challenges of a fair budget, along with embracing our role in committing to a new relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and becoming the city we all want,” Hobbs said of what lies ahead. “Those changes will, I’m sure, be challenging but hugely important for our future.”
