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Recorded on this year’s Bell Let’s Talk Day, Sarah Routhier from the Sylvain Routhier Memorial Foundation presented a webinar titled “Don’t Forget Your Roots” for OPP Beyond the Blue. In this presentation, Sarah tells her story of losing her husband, OPP Sergeant Sylvain Routhier, to suicide. The content of this episode may be triggering for some. Listener discretion is advised.
Listen to the podcast on the player above, or listen to all episodes on the OPPA blog OPPA.ca/Media or on Google, Apple, Spotify and more by clicking on the image above.
The Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program is available to eligible active and retired OPPA Members:
Telephone – 1-866-794-9117 (Available 24/7)
Email – info@encompascare.ca
Website – https://www.encompascare.ca/
For additional information on the Sylvain Routhier Memorial Foundation, please visit https://sylvainrouthierfoundation.com/
“Don’t Forget Your Roots” is available on Amazon or Indigo.
The OPP’s Healthy Workplace Team can be reached at 1-844-677-9409. This number is answered 24/7 by a care navigator or mental health clinician. Callers can request information, connection to a peer supporter, or support. Please note that this is not a crisis line. The Healthy Workplace Team can also be reached by email at OPPHealth@opp.ca (not monitored 24/7).
If you have any questions about this episode of the 10-5 Podcast, please email us at communications@oppa.ca.
Premier Ford has announced help for Ukrainians to access jobs, health care, income support & free education to help Ukrainian arrivals settle safely & quickly in Ontario. Hotline to connect new arrivals with job search supports and employers 1-888-562-4769 or email ukrainianjobs@ontario.ca
Press Release from Premier’s Office with details:
news release
Province Helping Ukrainians Find Jobs in Ontario
Access to jobs, health care, income support and free education will help Ukrainian arrivals settle safely and quickly
April 06, 2022
TORONTO — At a time when the province has hundreds of thousands of in-demand jobs to be filled, the Ontario government is launching a suite of supports for Ukrainian families arriving under the new emergency travel authorization, including a dedicated hotline (1-888-562-4769) and email address (ukrainianjobs@ontario.ca) to connect new arrivals with job search supports and local employers in the community.
“Our government will always embrace newcomers to the province, particularly at a time when we need more people to help fill in-demand jobs and especially the brave people fleeing the unjust war in Ukraine,” said Premier Doug Ford. “As families arrive from Ukraine, we’re making sure the resources and supports are in place to help them find meaningful employment while also keeping them safe and healthy.”
The suite of supports available to Ukrainian newcomers, including those arriving under the new federal travel authorization also includes:
- Access to Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) coverage which includes health care supports and services they may need, including mental health services.
- Access to drug benefits for Ukrainians through OHIP eligibility or receiving emergency income assistance.
- Access to emergency housing through settlement service agencies and Ukrainian community organizations, including host homes and other temporary settings that Ukrainians may need until long-term arrangements are made.
- Ensuring Ukrainian elementary and secondary school students can attend publicly funded schools for free.
- Trauma-informed counselling and culturally responsive supports to students and families as well as the promotion of intercultural understanding and awareness of Ukrainian stories and history, through a $449,000 provincial investment to Canadian-Ukrainian community organizations.
- Support for persons who have been admitted to Canada on an emergency basis for humanitarian reasons studying at Ontario’s publicly assisted colleges and universities through a new provincial $1.9 million Ontario-Ukraine Solidarity Scholarship.
- Financial support of up to $28,000 through our province’s Second Career Program, for those who apply and are eligible, for basic living allowances, tuition, transportation, and other critical needs.
These measures will ensure that Ukrainian arrivals have access to good paying jobs and economic opportunities, while building on the government’s ongoing efforts to attract, support and protect newcomers. In addition, hundreds of Ontario businesses have offered Ukrainian arrivals employment and assistance.
“As minister responsible for immigration, my heart goes out to families fleeing this tragedy. Ontario is doing everything in our power to support the people of Ukraine. True to the Ontario spirit, our message to Ukrainians is simple: Ontario stands with you, and Ontario’s arms are open to you – the people of Ontario will take care of you,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. “Ontario’s economy is set to boom. With over 338,000 good jobs waiting to be filled and hundreds of Ontario businesses who have stepped up with job offers, we are in a strong position to welcome Ukrainian newcomers and help them find good jobs when they are ready to work.”
The government is providing an increase of $900,000 over three years to the Canadian Ukrainian Immigrant Aid Society to deliver targeted settlement services. The funding will help Ukrainian newcomers get settled, find housing and access services such as mental health supports, education for children, language instruction for adults, and employment and training supports.
The province is also currently working to deliver thousands of urgently needed medical supplies and equipment, including defibrillators, syringes, and ICU supplies to Ukraine. We are working very closely with our international partners to make sure these supplies can help Ukrainians through this humanitarian crisis.
Quick Facts
- Over 4 million Ukrainians have fled their homes and communities to seek shelter in other countries.
- On February 24, 2022, the Ontario government announced $300,000 in humanitarian aid to assist the people of Ukraine.
- The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program selects immigration candidates who best meet Ontario’s labour market needs. Ukrainian applicants who are invited to apply based on established program criteria will benefit from expedited processing and prioritized applications.
Pictured Provincial Constable John “Pete” Behan, OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique, OPPA President Rob Stinson, OPPA Director Terri Hubbert and Carleton MPP Goldie Ghamari
OPP Association President Rob Stinson and Director Terri Hubbert were honoured to join family and friends of OPP Provincial Constable John “Pete” Behan, Deputy Solicitor General Mario DiTommaso, OPP Commisioner Thomas Carrique, MPP for Carleton Goldie Ghamari, local dignataries, OPP and RCMP colleagues and community members at the Beckwith Recreation Centre in Beckwith Park, Carleton Place, Ontario on Friday April 1, 2022 for the dedication of a Bridge for Constable Behan.
Provincial Constable Behan died in the line of duty when his OPP police cruiser crashed on April 13, 1956 on Highway 7 between Marberly and Silver Lake. Read the Honour Roll on the OPPA website here. Officer Behan had previously served with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police prior to joining the Ontario Provincial Police.
The following remarks were delivered by OPP Association President Rob Stinson to those gathered for the occassion.
Deputy Solicitor General Mario DiTommaso, OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique, MPP for Carleton Goldie Ghamari, local dignitarites, Nancy Behan and family and friends of OPP Provincial Constable John “Pete” Behan.
It is an honour to join family, colleagues, dignitaries and community members today as we honour the life and service of OPP Provincial Constable John “Pete” Behan with a bridge dedication here in Beckwith. Thank you for the invitation to be here today.
Rest assured that the service and sacrifice of PC Behan and all of our 110 OPP Officers who have died in the line of duty will never be forgotten.
PC Behan’s name is engraved on our OPP Association Wall of Honour at our head office in Barrie, at our Memorial Wall at OPP GHQ, at our Memorial Wall at the Ontario Police College, on the Ontario Police Memorial Foundation Memorial at Queen’s Park and on the Canadian Police and Peace Officers Memorial on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
We gather the first Sunday in May at Queen’s Park in Toronto, and the last Sunday in September annually on Parliament Hill in Ottawa to remember PC Behan and all officers who have died in the line of duty. Everyone is welcome to attend these events and I look forward to seeing many of you gathered here today in Toronto and Ottawa this year as we return to in person events.
We thank the Ontario Government for honouring the memory of our police officers who have died in the line of duty by the naming of bridges in memory of our members who paid the ultimate sacrifice. These bridge dedications ensure the service and sacrifice in the line of duty of our members will never be forgotten by the communities that they served. This is important to their families, friends, colleagues, and the entire community.
Provincial Constable Behan and all of our fallen officers are our Heroes In Life, Not Death.”
Thank you.
Photos below by OPP Identification Constable Andrew Dohert
The official OPP News Release about the event is below for reference:
Beckwith Bridge Dedicated to Fallen Police Officer
Ontario Honours OPP Constable Who Died in the Line of Duty
NEWS RELEASE April 1, 2022
BECKWITH -Today, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Commissioner Thomas Carrique hosted a bridge dedication ceremony to honour a Beckwith police officer who lost his life while serving in the line of duty.
“Provincial Constable John A. C. Behan served and protected the people of Ontario,” said Commissioner Thomas Carrique. “This bridge dedication is an acknowledgment to the many lives lost because of the sacrifices made by our police officers every day.”
“When people travel through Beckwith Township, they will now see a memorial in honour of the bravery and strength of Provincial Constable Behan,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. “This bridge dedication commemorates the service and commitment he demonstrated during his career as an OPP officer, and I hope it will be a place of comfort to all those who remember him.”
The bridge dedication honours fallen officer Provincial Constable John A. C. Behan, who died in a motor vehicle collision on April 14, 1956, while on patrol with his partner. Born in Ottawa, Constable Behan joined the Royal Canadian Air Force when he was 19 and left to join the Royal Canadian Mounted Police before joining the OPP. At the time of his death, he was 21 years old and was survived by his parents, brother and sister.
“This bridge will now serve as a tribute for one of our fallen heroes. We will always remember Provincial Constable Behan’s selfless dedication to policing and service to his community,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation.
Memorial signs with the officer’s name and police service crest have been posted on each side of the bridge in his honour.
QUICK FACTS
Since 2002, Ontario has permitted bridges and other highway structures to be dedicated in memory of fallen police officers.
Seventy-two provincial highway structures have been dedicated to fallen police officers.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Read more about the fallen officers.
Find out more about the Ontario Provincial Police.
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MEDIA CONTACTS
Sgt. Cynthia Savard
Ontario Provincial Police
(LtoR) Rob Mahaffy, Amie Fabiano, Carl Dalton, Rob Stinson
OPP Association President Rob Stinson, along with OPPA Member Services Manager Amie Fabiano and the lead for the Encompas Mental Health Wellness program, Social Worker and CEO of Dalton Associates Carl Dalton joined the Branch 8 Ontario Provincial Police Association meeting as special guests on March 31, 2022 in Lindsay, Ontario.
President Stinson stated that it was great to be back in person for Branch meetings.
Branch 8 of the Ontario Provincial Police Association covers the OPP Detachments of Peterborough County, Lindsay Offender Transport Unit (OTU), Haliburton Highlands, Cobourg, City of Kawarha Lakes OPP, and Peterborough-Northumberland.
The President of Branch 8 is Rob Mahaffy. All members are encouraged to get involved in the OPP Association and attend meetings. For more information on how to get involved contact communications@oppa.ca.
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Sarah Routhier from the Sylvain Routhier Memorial Foundation joins the 10-5 Podcast for the first of two episodes on the important work she and her team are doing around suicide prevention in the first responder community. Topics include the purpose of the Foundation, events and scholarships, the death of her husband, OPP Sergeant Sylvain Routhier, and her new book, “Don’t Forget Your Roots.
Listen to the podcast on the player above or all episodes on the OPPA blog OPPA.ca/Media or on Google, Apple, Spotify and more by clicking on the image above.
For additional information on the Sylvain Routhier Memorial Foundation, please visit their website.
“Don’t Forget Your Roots” is available on Amazon or Indigo.
The Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program is available to eligible active and retired OPPA Members:
Telephone – 1-866-794-9117 (Available 24/7)
Email – info@encompascare.ca
Website – EncompasCare.ca
The OPP’s Healthy Workplace Team can be reached at 1-844-677-9409. This number is answered 24/7 by a care navigator or mental health clinician. Callers can request information, connection to a peer supporter, or support. Please note that this is not a crisis line. The Healthy Workplace Team can also be reached by email at OPPHealth@opp.ca (not monitored 24/7).
If you have any questions about this episode of the 10-5 Podcast, please email us at communications@oppa.ca.
Click on image to access EncompasCare.ca website
We are thrilled to have had another successful year of the uniquely designed Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program supporting the OPP Association and the OPP Commissioned Officers’ Association uniform and civilian, active and retired members. This second year has seen a marked increase in member and family member engagement with the program and we are honoured to continue supporting the mental health and wellbeing of those within the program and applaud the members who are spreading the word about the benefits of caring for one’s mental health.
We have had many highlights in our second year, including:
- +30% increase in Members accessing the program in year two
- Voice of the membership is critical in driving a program to meet your unique needs. This year’s participant survey found that:
- 98% of participants would recommend the program to fellow OPPA members
- 97% of Members felt this program had or will have a positive impact on their mental health and wellbeing
- Of those members who accessed the program in its first year and who remain involved with Encompas, 79% believe that their mental health has improved
- Family members now have access to the Encompas Portal which houses uniquely curated and evidence-based mental health wellness resources
- We continue to add to the resources available to support you in your journey
- Rapid Access Counselling between 8am to Midnight, 365 days a year was launched
- The Monthly Communication Series has been viewed nearly 700 times
We remain committed to enhancing this Program to better serve Members by removing barriers to accessing high quality care, easing service navigation and to supporting the journey to mental health and wellness.
OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique and OPP Association President Rob Stinson
with OPP Experienced Officer Graduating Class 497 March 25, 2022
photo by OPP Photographer Jayne Van der Veen
Welcome to the OPP and the OPP Association to our newest members.
OPP Association President Rob Stinson was honoured to be in attendance March 25, 2022 at OPP General Headquarters in Orillia to welcome Experienced Police Officer Graduating Class 497.
There were twenty new members in the class, with over 180 years of combined service.
Most of them were from the newly almagamated Dryden Police Service. Seven graduates were from other police services, and one was from a First Nations Police Service.
The OPP Association extends a warm welcome to our new members, and wish them all success in their careers with the OPP.
Listen to the podcast on player below or on Google, Apple, Spotify and more by clicking on the image above.
As Fraud Prevention Month in Canada comes to an end, OPP Detective Sergeant John Armit of the OPP’s Anti-Rackets Branch, currently deployed to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC), joins to the 10-5 Podcast to discuss Cryptocurrency Investment Frauds. Topics include additional information on this year’s Fraud Prevention Month theme, methods of cryptocurrency frauds in Canada, warning signs, tips to protect yourself, and the challenges for law enforcement investigating cyber-enabled crimes.
For additional information, please visit the CAFC website.
To report a fraud to the CAFC, please visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website or contact them by phone at 1-888-495-8501.
Follow the CAFC on social media:
To sign up for CAFC bulletins, media releases or advisories, please email partners@antifraudcentre.ca.
For more information on the Canadian Securities Administrators, please visit their website.
If you have any questions about this episode of the 10-5 Podcast, please email us at communications@oppa.ca
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March is Fraud Prevention Month in Canada and OPP Detective Sergeant John Armit of the OPP’s Anti-Rackets Branch, currently deployed to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC), joins to the 10-5 Podcast with tips and information for our members and the public.
Topics include information on the CAFC and this year’s Fraud Prevention Month theme, top fraud trends, steps to assist victims of cyber-enabled fraud mitigate losses and help protect their identity information, the challenges of cyber-enabled fraud investigations, prevention efforts by the OPP and CAFC, and the CAFC’s Fraud Prevention Checklist.
For additional information, please visit the CAFC website.
To report a fraud to the CAFC, please visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website or contact them by phone at 1-888-495-8501.
Follow the CAFC on social media:
To sign up for CAFC bulletins, media releases or advisories, please email partners@antifraudcentre.ca.
Equifax can be reached through their website or by phone at 1-800-465-7166.
TransUnion Canada can be reached through their website or by phone at 1-800-663-9980.
If you have any questions about this episode of the 10-5 Podcast, please email us at communications@oppa.ca
The Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program’s Member Portal is now also available for eligible OPPA family members.
The Encompas Member Portal includes self-directed and evidence-based resources that have been curated to address the needs of the First Responder population and their family members. This is a valuable destination for mental health education, skill-building and holistic self-guided support. Encompas family members will also have access to evidence-based self-assessment and progress measurement tools through the Portal with access to resources such as Self-Directed Online Courses, Articles and Posts, Self-Care Tools and Blogs, Vlogs, Podcasts and Videos.
To learn more about the Encompas Member Portal and how to gain access, contact an Encompas Care Manager or Encompas Support Services Coordinator at 1-866-794-9117.