First Nations leaders urge Ontario to disband Thunder Bay police, get outside service to investigate deaths [Video]

First Nations leaders from northwestern Ontario are calling for the Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) to be disbanded and pressing the province’s inspector general of policing to bring in an outside service to investigate recent deaths of Indigenous people.

Leaders from Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) were at Queen’s Park in Toronto on Monday, joined by Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa other First Nations leaders and family members of Indigenous people who died recently in Thunder Bay. 

“The Thunder Bay Police Service has turned into a cold case factory when it comes to investigations into the deaths of Indigenous Peoples,” NAN Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler said. “There is a complete lack of trust; everything has broken down.” 

The call comes after Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) laid multiple charges against the former police chief and others linked to the force, in the wake of three recent deaths: 

• Mackenzie Moonias, in December 2023.
• Jenna Ostberg, in December 2023.
• Corey Belesky, in 2022.

In a statement, the Thunder Bay Police …