Hells Angels to congregate in Kenora

More than 150 Hells Angels representing every chapter in Canada are expected to descend upon the normally quiet city of Kenora later this month.
The event, called a “Canada Run” by the bikers, has police agencies bracing for trouble.
Winnipeg police are especially interested since western bikers will have a stopover in Winnipeg on July 20-22, where a recent wave of biker-related violence has gripped the city.
“There could definitely be problems, and we will be monitoring the situation,” Insp. Stan Tataryn, head of the outlaw motorcycle gang unit, said yesterday.
Winnipeg police said there is no connection between two recent shootings involving Winnipeg Hells Angels and the timing of the Hells Angels gathering in Kenora.
The bikers who stop in Winnipeg likely will be making their way east from chapters in Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia, said Tataryn.
They will be joined in Kenora from July 23-26 by their cohorts from eastern provinces, including Quebec chapters which have waged a violent war in past years with a rival gang competing for the lucrative drug trade.
Police officers from across the country, including Winnipeg, are expected to assist the OPP in maintaining law and order in Kenora.
“There is no doubt [the bikers] will be dominant. They will be the power in Kenora,” said Tataryn.
Kenora residents, police, and city officials are busy preparing for the chaotic scene which may unfold with such a large cross-country gathering of the world’s most notorious criminal organization.
“We definitely have everything under control and we’re not too concerned. We aren’t expecting any problems,” said Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield.
“But we’re taking all the necessary steps just in case.”
Canfield is not sure why bikers chose Kenora to house their gathering, which he believes is more like a summer retreat.
The Hells Angels usually get together in large numbers at least once a year and like to move their meetings around the country, said Tataryn.
Police say the meetings are usually more about pleasure than business.
A police source said this year’s event has been made “mandatory” for many members but could not explain why.
“Representation from coast to coast is somewhat rare,” said Det.-Insp. Don Bell of the Ontario joint-task force assigned to monitor biker activity.
He said members of the provincial special squad will be in Kenora but declined to provide any details on their plans.