The 2025 President’s Banquet provided a memorable conclusion to this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Blue Mountain on Thursday evening. The event celebrated the dedication, professionalism, and accomplishments of our members and leaders.
In addition to the awards presented, the new OPP Association President and Vice-President were announced. Congratulations to David Sabatini, the new OPP Association President and CEO, and Dave Dube, the new OPP Association Vice-President.
Evening Highlights:
PACE Graduation – Certificates were presented to Leanne Wilhelm (Branch 6) and Sean Guscott (Branch 9).
Honourary Life Memberships – Presented to Dawn Anderson, Emily Brown and Laura Ferron.
Service Awards – Branch President Rings – Presented to Trevor McKean (Branch 7) and Mike Wreggitt (Branch 14).
Service Awards – Branch Vice-President Pins – Presented to Dan Pyrah (Branch 4) and Don Gouveia (Branch 5).
Police Association of Ontario (PAO) Police Hero Honour Roll Award – Presented to Marc Lauzon.
PAO Honourary Life Membership – Presented to John Cerasuolo.
OPPA Award of Merit – Presented to Marilyn Thomson-Joseph.
Bill Elliott Member of the Year Award – Presented to Shana-Lee Singleton.
We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to making the 2025 AGM such a success.
We look forward to welcoming our Branch Presidents and Vice-Presidents to the Spring Executive Meeting (SEM) May 4–8, 2026.
The final day of the 2025 AGM began with a productive discussion between delegates and the Board of Directors.
Mission Control Project Presentation
Superintendent Jordan Whitesell and Sean Tout (OPP) of the Strategy Management Unit, Strategic Services Bureau provided an informative update on the Mission Control Project. Their presentation outlined the project’s progress, objectives, and future direction, emphasizing its strategic importance to operational efficiency and organizational improvement.
Ontario Pension Board Update
Following the morning break, Darwin Bozek, Marc Rondeau, and Andrew Tambone from the Ontario Pension Board delivered a detailed update to delegates. Their session covered: Current performance of the pension plan, future initiatives and strategies for protecting pensions, portfolio management approaches, and market insights on inflation and investments.
CPA and PAO Presentation
To conclude the morning session, the Government and Media Relations officer of the Canadian Police Association Michael Gendron and Police Association of Ontario President Mark Baxter shared updates from their respective Associations. The panel led an interactive discussion that addressed key issues impacting members of the OPP.
OPP Command Team Discussion
Following lunch, OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique and the Commissioner’s Command Team led an open roundtable discussion. This engaging session addressed key topics and questions that directly impact the Ontario Provincial Police.
President’s Banquet Preparations
The AGM concluded with preparations for the annual President’s Banquet, where several recognition awards are set to be presented. A follow-up email will be sent to Members tomorrow, recapping the award recipients and announcing the OPP Association President and Vice President for the upcoming term.
Thank You to Our Delegates
We sincerely thank all delegates for their active participation, collaboration, and dedication throughout this year’s AGM. Your engagement continues to strengthen our Association and the policing community we serve.
The OPP Association welcomes the introduction of the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act (Bill C-14) to strengthen Canada’s response to repeat violent offenders, organized crime, and threats to public safety.
We are grateful this new legislation includes some of the recommendations from the OPP Association and partner Police Associations. The 2022 murder of one of our OPP police officers by a suspect at large wanted for failing to comply with bail conditions initiated a robust advocacy campaign by Federal, Provincial and Municipal police associations.
Bill C-14 proposes to expand reverse-onus bail to cover serious and organized-crime offences such as human trafficking, car theft, and home invasions, and clarifies that restraint does not mean automatic release. The legislation directs the Court to consider whether an offence involved victims of random violence, first responder victims, or the accused facing multiple outstanding charges.
Sentencing provisions strengthen accountability by requiring the Court to treat prior violent convictions and assaults on first responders, including police officers, as aggravating factors, encourages consecutive sentences, restricts conditional sentences for sexual offences, and recognizes organized retail theft as a growing public safety issue.
The OPP Association thanks the federal government for listening to the voices of our members, and communities. We urge all parliamentarians to support the passage of this important bill as soon as possible, without partisan considerations, to enhance safety and strengthen justice across Canada.
It is with deepest regret that we announce the passing of KALVIN CARL (KC) STEWART, Badge #1955, who passed away on October 19, 2025. KC served at Sebringville, Sauble Beach, Wiarton and Simcoe Detachments before retiring as Staff Sergeant from Norfolk Detachment on October 31,1992.
KC is survived by his wife Anita and children Krista, Chuck and Jill.
A private family interment will take place at a later date.
Family has requested in lieu of flowers memorial donations to:
Childcan
792 Commissioners Road West
London ON N6K 1C2
www.childcan.com
or
Stedman Community Hospice
99 Wayne Gretzky Parkway
Brantford ON N3S 6T6
www.sjlc.ca/stedman-community-hospice-1
or
Charity of your choice
Letters or cards of condolence may be forwarded to:
Mrs. Anita Stewart and Family
85 Berkley Crescent
Simcoe ON N3Y 4N1
It is with deepest regret that we announce the passing of ROBERT RUDD, who passed away on October 19, 2025. Robert served at OPP News Bureau, Information Services Branch, Media Relations and OPP Review Magazine before retiring as Media Projects Officer (Corporate Communications Bureau) on March 31, 2016.
Robert is survived by his wife Linda and son OPP Detective Constable Andrew Rudd (Anti-Rackets Branch).
A private family celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Family has requested in lieu of flowers memorial donations to:
Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County
20 Anne Street South, P.O. Box 1414
Barrie ON L4M 5R4
www.alzheimer.ca/simcoecounty/en
Letters or cards of condolence may be forwarded to:
Mrs. Linda Rudd and Family
c/o Carson Funeral Home
54 Coldwater Street East
Orillia ON L3V 1W5
Association Modernization Committee (AMC)
Day three of the 2025 OPPA Annual General Meeting opened with a 2-part presentation by the Association Modernization Committee led by Director Dave Dube, with contributions from Project Manager Amie Fabiano, and committee members Josh Jutras, Ryan Sage and Gwen Carr. Data collected from the membership survey and branch activity data were presented to Congress, as well as a recap of the environmental scans collected to date. Many ideas for modernization were discussed and will be further considered by the Committee.
The second part of the presentation was by our expert Guest Speaker, Bill Cole. Bill founded Cole Labour in 2023 after nearly 40 years in collective bargaining and member engagement. The focus of his presentation was strengthening our Association Member engagement and was well received by Congress.
2025 OPPA AGM Trade Show
Thank you to all individuals and organizations who participated in our Trade Show.
Boots on the Ground
Canada Life
Dalton Associates / Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program
A. Emmink Corporation
OPP Indigenous Policing Bureau
Make a Wish Foundation
Ontario Pension Board (OPB)
OPP Duty Shop
OPP Museum
OPPA Credit Union
OPPA Swag
OPP Veterans’ Association (OPPVA)
OPP Healthy Workplace Team
OPP Youth Foundation
Serving with Pride
Sutton Special Risk
Target Benefits
TD Insurance
Teladoc Health, Inc
2025 OPPA Board Election Results
An election for Provincial Directors was held today during the 2025 Ontario Provincial Police Association (OPPA) Annual General Meeting.
A total of 75 voting delegates participated in the process to elect four (4) members to the OPPA Board of Directors. Each elected Provincial Director will serve a three-year term.
Please join us in congratulating the following individuals on their election as Provincial Directors:
Terri Hubbert
Trevor McKean
Lynn Neale
Dan Pyrah
We extend our sincere thanks to all the candidates for their participation and commitment to the democratic process. Your dedication to serving the membership is greatly appreciated.
Job Evaluation Committee (JEC) Update
Olivia Batt, LL.M from Olivia Batt Consulting addressed the Congress, along with Vice President David Sabatini, and OPPA Executive Officers Ryan Sage and Deb Boakye-Cofie. Updates were provided on pay equity, job descriptions, pay bands and more.
Fleet, Supply and Weapons Services Bureau (FSWSB)
OPP FSWSB Bureau Commander Richard Andrews, along with Directors Mike Adair and Terri Hubbert, provided an update on the Fleet, Supply and Weapons Services Bureau (FSWSB) and answered questions posed by the delegates.
Reminder
Daily summaries of the 2025 OPPA AGM will continue to be shared at the end of each day.
It is with deepest regret that we announce the passing of JOHN (JACK) FULLERTON PACE, Badge #1936, who passed away on October 17, 2025. Jack served at Barrie DHQ, Wasaga Beach, Elmvale, and North Bay Detachments before retiring as Sergeant from North Bay DHQ In-Service Training on February 28, 1990.
Jack is survived by his wife, Fay and children Doug, David and Darren.
Visitation:
Saturday, November 15, 2025 from 1000 hrs to 1200 hrs
Hillside Funeral Services
362 Airport Road
North Bay ON P1B 8W9
Service:
Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 1200 hrs
Hillside Funeral Services
362 Airport Road
North Bay ON P1B 8W9
Family has requested in lieu of flowers memorial donations to:
CNIB Foundation
1929 Bayview Avenue
Toronto ON M4G 3E8
or
Canadian Hearing Services
271 Spadina Road
Toronto ON M5R 2V3
Letters or cards of condolence may be forwarded to:
Mrs. Fay Pace and Family
404-225 Oak Street West
North Bay ON P1B 0A9
An election for Provincial Directors was held today during the 2025 Ontario Provincial Police Association (OPPA) Annual General Meeting.
A total of 75 voting delegates participated in the process to elect four (4) members to the OPPA Board of Directors. Each elected Provincial Director will serve a three-year term.
Please join us in congratulating the following individuals on their election as Provincial Directors:
Terri Hubbert
Trevor McKean
Lynn Neale
Dan Pyrah
We extend our sincere thanks to all the candidates for their participation and commitment to the democratic process. Your dedication to serving the membership is greatly appreciated.
Opening Panel: Navigating Ontario’s New Era of Policing Under the CSPA
Day two of the 2025 OPPA Annual General Meeting opened with an insightful panel discussion on the Community Safety and Policing Act (CSPA). Panelists Joseph Martino, Director for Special Investigations Unit, Stephen Leach, Independent Police Review Director for the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency (LECA), and Ryan Teschner, Inspector General of Policing, leading the Inspectorate of Policing (IoP), explored key aspects of the Act, which came into effect on April 1, 2024, replacing the former Police Services Act.
Program and Initiative Updates
After the morning break, Carl Dalton, CEO of Dalton Associates, gave a presentation on the Encompas Mental Health and Wellness Program, sharing impactful updates and highlighting the program’s growth and continued commitment to supporting members’ mental health.
Following this, OPP Chief Superintendent Brad McCallum, along with OPP Training, Development and Evaluation Specialist Hannah Osborne then provided a detailed update on the OPP Academy Split Year Project, outlining progress, anticipated impacts, and future considerations surrounding recruitment and training.
Technology and Services Overview
After lunch, Superintendent Scott Hlady delivered the Communications and Technology Services Bureau (CTSB) update, addressing current initiatives and fielding questions from delegates.
Member Engagement
The afternoon continued with a Q&A session hosted by the OPPA Board of Directors, offering members a valuable opportunity to engage directly with leadership.
Workplace Processes Overview
To conclude the day, the OPPA Labour Relations Team—alongside Ryan Cooke and Marnie Clark from the OPP—facilitated an open and engaging discussion focused on local-level labour relations.
Reminder
Daily summaries of the 2025 OPPA AGM will continue to be shared at the end of each day. Additionally, look for an email with election results Wednesday afternoon.