On this Labour Day, first and foremost I wish to thank each and every member of the OPP Association for the tireless and often thankless work you do each and every day to serve and protect the people of Ontario. As our rallying cry states, “Our Members Are Our Focus and Our Strength”. Your dedication and personal sacrifice that you and your loved ones make for our safety is valued and appreciated. Special thank you to our members who are working, and away from their loved ones today.
Today we are reminded of the origins of this holiday. Labour Day has been a statutory holiday in Canada since 1894. It celebrates the accomplishments of the labour movement and the benefits of having a union at work. Click here to read more about “The First Labour Day”.
As we celebrate Labour Day 2021 in this ever changing and unpredictable pandemic environment, I wish to you and yours on behalf of the Board of Directors and staff of the OPP Association a successful start to the new school year, and wish you all a safe and prosperous fall season.
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OPPA Executive Officer of Pension & Benefits, Lisa Hillstrom, joins the 10-5 Podcast for the fifth episode in our Retirement Planning Series to discuss Estate Planning, Wills and Powers of Attorney. This includes the different types of Powers of Attorney and the importance of Wills and Estate Planning.
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The next session in the monthly Encompas Mental Health Awareness and Communication Series is Wednesday September 22, 2021, from 1000 – 1100 ET. This session will feature Julie Christiansen, MA.
Julie Christiansen, MA, is an award-winning international public speaker, author, and psychotherapist. Julie developed the Anger Solutions method of anger resolution, and has authored several books about anger, stress, bullying and coping with crisis. Known as “The Anger Lady”, she has appeared as an expert for various print, radio, and television media outlets. Over the course of her career, Julie has worked with National Defense (Land Force Area HQ), the RCMP, municipal police, correctional officers, and military veterans.
Her expertise highlights how unchecked emotions can ripple into every aspect of life, including relationships. When red flags such as poor communication, controlling behavior, or unresolved anger start to appear, it’s a signal that outside support may be needed. Many workplaces now collaborate with employee assistance program companies to provide counseling resources that help individuals manage stress, regulate emotions, and navigate relationship challenges. By addressing these concerns early through therapy or structured support, couples and individuals alike can foster healthier connections built on trust, empathy, and respect.
Please join us for a conversation with Julie on “Anger Solutions for First Responders”. This presentation explores the typical challenges faced by first responders and the rationale for a course that deals specifically with anger. Julie will review the unique approach to first responder emotional states and provide an overview of the Anger Solutions course available to all members through the Encompas portal. For assistance registering for the Encompas program, please call 1-866-794-9117 to speak to an Encompas Care Manager. Encompas members can access the portal by clicking the “Portal Login” button on the EncompasCare.ca website.
Register in advance for this webinar online at at EncompasCare.ca
Note: To ensure your anonymity, your registration information will ONLY be available to the hosts from Dalton Associates. Registrants will NOT have the option of turning on their camera or microphone at any time. Questions will be managed through the text Q&A which are sent only to the hosts – Dalton Associates. They will either answer those questions verbally without referencing the name of the participant who asked the question, or privately through the text function.
All sessions will be delivered through the PHIPA complaint version of Zoom Webinar.
Tuesday August 31, 2021 is International Overdose Awareness Day. SEE AN OVERDOSE? CALL 911. Even if you’ve taken drugs or have some on you, the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act can protect you. For more official info from the Ontario Provincial Police click on the OPP website OPP.ca/Overdose.
Today is International Overdose Awareness Day. SEE AN OVERDOSE? CALL 911. Even if you've taken drugs or have some on you, the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act can protect you. #IOAD2021 pic.twitter.com/SGyRsrSUo0
— OPPA (OPP Association) (@OPPAssociation) August 31, 2021
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OPPA Executive Officer of Pension & Benefits, Lisa Hillstrom, joins the 10-5 Podcast for the fourth episode in our Retirement Planning Series to review contacts that our members can use in their retirement planning. This includes who to contact regarding pension entitlements (Ontario Pension Board), termination payments (Ontario Shared Services (OSS)), and insured benefits and insurances (Target Benefit Administrators).
Resources:
The Ontario Pension Board can be reached at 1-800-668-6203, clientservice@opb.ca or visit their website at https://www.opb.ca/
Ontario Shared Services (OSS) Contact Centre – 1-866-979-9300 or askOSS@ontario.ca – Note – Ask to speak with the Benefit Advisor for Retirement Planning Purposes
Target Benefit Administrators can be reached at 1-888-660-6055 or https://oppa.wlvinc.com/
This episode of the 10-5 podcast is produced and hosted by Scott Mills and Joshua Jutras.
Music – “Line of Fire” by Jason Shaw available at Audionautix.com and used under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License – https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode
If you have any questions about this episode of the 10-5 Podcast, please email us at communications@oppa.ca
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Episode Notes
In the conclusion of our series on frontline staffing in the OPP, OPP Association Director Jason Cull joins the 10-5 Podcast to discuss civilianization of police duties and the staffing pilot taking place in North-East Region.
*This episode of the 10-5 podcast is produced and hosted by Scott Mills and Joshua Jutras.
Music – “Line of Fire” by Jason Shaw available at Audionautix.com and used under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
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 Care Management Team works with members to create a customized plan of care.
A members’ plan of care can include one or a number of the following clinical services, dependant on the members’ challenges and mental wellness goals:
- Access to 24/7/365 telephonic crisis services
- Access to the online, fully PHIPA-compliant Encompas Member Client Portal
- Streamlined access to in-person, online, and telephonic specialized psychological or social work counselling services.
- Streamlined access to psychological and psychiatric assessment services
- Streamlined access to specialized residential treatment programs through a preferred provider network with unlimited aftercare support services.
- Streamlined access to support services aimed at addressing other circumstances that impact an individual’s ability to achieve mental wellness.
While these clinical services lay a strong foundation for mental health support, healing from addiction often calls for something more immersive—something that reaches beyond the clinical and taps into a person’s spirit, sense of purpose, and capacity for growth. That’s where adventure therapy comes in. Combining nature, movement, and structured challenge, it offers a dynamic way to confront and release the grip of addiction. Those engaging in men’s addiction treatment, the shift from traditional settings to the great outdoors can make all the difference—transforming recovery from a process of restriction into one of exploration.
Out on the trail or under open skies, men are given space to rediscover who they are without substances. Whether it’s through hiking, climbing, or guided wilderness experiences, these adventures become metaphors for resilience, choice, and rebuilding trust—both in oneself and in others. It’s not just about sobriety; it’s about building a life that feels worth staying present for. When clinical services are paired with this kind of raw, real-world therapy, recovery becomes more than possible—it becomes powerful.
For some, the journey also requires consistent, personalized support that bridges the gap between structured therapy and everyday life, ensuring that the lessons learned in treatment carry through to daily routines and challenges. A private sober companion can provide that steady presence, offering accountability, encouragement, and guidance when temptations or difficult moments arise. This kind of support works best when it’s tailored to the individual, respecting their unique path and helping them build confidence in navigating life without substances, and Sobri Recovery specializes in delivering that level of one-on-one care, making recovery not only sustainable but also deeply personal.
At the forefront of the Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program is the Care Management Team. The Care Managers are each member’s service navigator, their mental health services advocate, and someone who will regularly check-in with them. With training and experience working with First Responders, each Care Manager is well equipped to help members with their journey to mental wellness. We are excited to introduce you to some of our Care Managers in the coming weeks on this blog and on our OPP Association social media posts.
Just as our Care Management Team supports First Responders with empathy and expertise, a similar level of specialized guidance is essential for children facing anxiety, behavioral challenges, or trauma. This is where the work of dedicated children therapists in florida becomes vital, offering age-appropriate therapy that fosters trust, resilience, and emotional intelligence in young clients. Their approach blends clinical insight with compassionate support, creating a safe space for children to express themselves and develop coping strategies that serve them well into adulthood. As we highlight the professionals committed to supporting our members’ mental health, we are reminded of the broader ecosystem of care that begins in childhood and continues through every stage of life.
Mental health care is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. Just as no two individuals walk the same path in life, no two mental health journeys follow the same route. Whether someone is grappling with trauma, anxiety, depression, or addiction, the tools required for healing often differ. That’s why a flexible, tailored approach to treatment is essential—one that adapts to each person’s unique challenges and strengths.
For some, talk therapy may unlock progress. For others, movement-based therapies or mindfulness practices open the door. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), for example, stands out for its structured, skills-based approach. The four modules of DBT—mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness—offer a well-rounded toolkit for managing intense emotions and building healthier relationships. Integrating therapies like DBT into mental health programs allows care providers to meet people where they are, rather than expecting them to fit a rigid clinical mold.
In the hands of trained Care Managers and clinicians, this variety of therapeutic methods ensures that every member has access to what they need—not just what’s standard. It’s this intentional, compassionate customization that turns mental health care into meaningful, life-changing support.
Gloria Gordon is a Care Manager and a proactive contributor to the Encompas team. She has several years’ experience working in client-facing roles, delivering outstanding customer service working with diverse populations.
To pursue her current career, Gloria earned a Bachelor of Arts – Honours Psychology degree and a post-graduate certificate in research analysis. Through her education, she became a practitioner of EBM or Evidence-Based Decision Making, which uses three major components for medical decision making: 1) the best external evidence, 2) individual practitioner’s clinical expertise, and 3) patients’ preference.
Meet Phylicia Crichlow, another Care Manager with the Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program. In addition to her work with Encompas, she works and volunteers across multiple contexts within the Mental Health field that allow her to gain experience working with diverse populations in varying capacities.
Phylicia has a Bachelor’s of Applied Science in Psychology, a Post-Graduate Certificate in Addictions and Mental Health and has training in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention, Applied Suicide Intervention, Opioid Overdose Education, Prevention & Response, and Psychological First Aid. Her education and employment background has given her extensive experience working with various mental health challenges, providing crisis and de-escalation support, and completing resource referrals.
Kaleigh Smith is a Care Manager with Encompas providing mental health support and coordination for the OPPA. Giving clients autonomy, empathy, understanding and a safe space to discuss their mental health are the cornerstones of how she bases her interactions and work in the Encompas program.
She began her journey into the mental health field at the University of Toronto, completing a Specialist degree in Mental Health (HBSc) and then moving onto a post-graduate certification in trauma and crisis intervention. She is currently completing her Master’s degree at Yorkville University in Counselling Psychology with the goal of becoming a Registered Psychotherapist. Previous to working with Encompas she spent years working with individuals experiencing chronic mental health diagnoses, and has specific training and experience with psychosis following trauma. Combining her previous work in the inpatient and outpatient setting, her view of mental health care is a holistic one, with the aim of providing client-centered care.
To reach the Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program 24/7 call 1-866-794-9117 or online at EncompasCare.ca.
Episode Summary
In the second of three episodes on frontline staffing in the OPP, OPP Association Director Jason Cull joins the 10-5 Podcast to talk about staffing targets, the use of overtime and the impacts of legislated leaves of absence.
This episode of the 10-5 podcast is produced and hosted by Scott Mills and Joshua Jutras.
Music – “Line of Fire” by Jason Shaw available at Audionautix.com and used under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
If you have any questions about this episode of the 10-5 Podcast, please email us at communications@oppa.ca.
On August 7, 2021 at 6pm an OPP officer was struck by a stolen pick up truck with a trailer in Dunnville Ontario. The officer was taken to hopsital and treated for minor injuries. OPP West Region has posted to media and social media surveillance photos of the vehicle in question and photos two suspects to identify. The OPP Association have shared the photos on our social media channels and have posted the summary here for easy reference. If anyone has any information they can contact the OPP 1 888 310-1122 or remain anonymous by contacting Crime Stoppers. 1-800-222-8477.
Update. Thank you to all involved to assist in the arrest of the suspects in this case.
News release from Haldimand OPP August 12, 2021
FROM/DE: Haldimand County Detachment DATE: August 11, 2021
-UPDATE #2-
OPP OFFICER STRUCK BY STOLEN VEHICLE TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL
Suspects arrested facing multiple charges
(HALDIMAND COUNTY, ON) – On August 10, 2021, members of the Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement Squad (ROPE) located both suspects in the city of Hamilton and took them into custody.
As a result, Daniel Robert GROULX, 28-years-old of West Lincoln, Ontario was charged with the following offences;
- Failure to stop after accident,
- Prohibited driving (two counts),
- Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle (two counts),
- Possession of stolen property over $5000 (two counts),
- Assault With a Weapon (two counts),
- Obstruct Police,
- Mischief over $5000,
- Fail to comply with probation order (two counts),
- Fail to comply with release order (two counts), and
- Drive while under suspension (two counts).
A 15-year-old of West Lincoln, Ontario was also charged with:
- Possession of stolen property over $5000 (two counts), and
- Obstruct police.
Both individuals are being held in custody and are scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice located in Cayuga at 1:30 p.m., on August 11, 2021.
“The OPP would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to our media partners and members of the community that assisted with this ongoing investigation. As a result, both of these individuals were taken into custody without incident.” – Acting Inspector Jodi Kays, Detachment Commander, Haldimand County OPP.
– 30 –
Contact: Constable Mary Gagliardi
Email: mary.gagliardi@opp.ca
opp.ca
TWITTER: @OPP_WR
The Rolling Barrage Motorcycle ride across Canada for PTSD passed through Barrie Tuesday morning greeted by (L to R) OPP Association President Rob Stinson, Retired OPP Deputy Commissioner Rick Barnum, Pat Alden of Ottawa Police, MP Doug Shipley and the Honourable Doug Downey, Attorney General of Ontario.
The fifth annual motorcycle rally called The Rolling Barrage stopped by for breakfast at Currie Heavy Towing in Midhurst, Ontario Tuesday morning after spending the night in Barrie on Day 9 of their trek across Canada.
A number of dignitaries including MP Doug Shipley and The Honourable Doug Downey, Attorney General of Ontario, attended the event and wished the riders well on their journey.
OPP Association President and CEO Rob Stinson along with his daughter, Rachel Stinson were among the supporters who attended the breakfast to wish the twenty plus riders well on their journey. “Any time we can create awareness about the mental wellness of our veterans, our policing family, and all first responders is a good day”, Stinson said. He joined the riders on his own Harley Davidson for a portion of their ride after the breakfast, as they stopped by Peacekeepers’ Park in Angus, the Huronia Museum in Midland, and on to North Bay.
The Rolling Barrage is a not for profit corporation based out of Ottawa that was founded in 2016 by Scott Casey from British Columbia, himself a veteran of the Canadian Forces. They have been led since September 2020 by Paul Harman, who is carrying on Casey’s vision of national awareness for PTSD.
The group plans stops in Sault Ste Marie and Thunder Bay before heading to Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta enroute to their final destination in Vancouver, British Columbia on August 21.
Riders are welcome to join them along the way for portions of the ride. To follow the daily route click on their website.
OPP Association President and CEO Rob Stinson and daughter were part of the welcoming team Tuesday for cross Canada motorcycle rally called The Rolling Barrage raising awareness for PTSD of veterans, police officers and first responders. The group plan to arrive in Vancouver on August 21.
Members of The Rolling Barrage, a cross Canada motorcycle rally to raise awareness of PTSD for veterans, police and first responders stopped for breakfast Tuesday in Midhurst north of Barrie. They were greeted by MP Doug Shipley, The Honourable Doug Downey, Attorney General of Ontario and OPP Association President Rob Stinson.