• Date:November 04, 2020

In accordance with Section 10.0(ii) of the Ontario Provincial Police Association Policies and Procedures, eligible candidates wishing to run for the office of President were required to declare their intentions in writing to the Chief Electoral Officer no later than 4:00 p.m. on October 16, 2020.

The following persons have declared their intention to run for the office of President of the Ontario Provincial Police Association (listed in alphabetical order). The public online profies of the candidates can be viewed by clicking on the links, or on their campaign posters below. The positions of the candidates are not the official positions of the OPP Association, and are posted here in the format they were received from the candidates.

Note: Please be aware that in accordance with the OPP Association Code of Conduct For Presidential Candidates, candidates can not communicate either to or from the OPP email system. If you wish to email the candidates please email the candidates from your own private email address to their private/campaign email addresses. 

In accordance with Section 10.0(vi) of the Policies and Procedures, an election for President of the OPP Association will begin at 9:00 a.m. on November 15, 2020 and conclude at 9:00 a.m. on November 30, 2020.

Voting will be conducted electronically through the OPP Association’s website. Eligible voters should ensure that they are able to log in to the members’ area of the website prior to the start of the election on November 15th. If you do not have a profile or are having difficulties accessing our website, please contact us at oppa@oppa.ca or 1-800-461-4282.
Active members who are in good standing may vote in Presidential elections.

Any questions concerning the upcoming election for President should be directed to the Chief Electoral Officer Michael Briscoe.
 Each candidate has provided their platform and campaign poster for posting on the public facing blog of the OPP Association website so our members can make an informed decision on voting. They are posted below in alphabetical order:

Hello, my name is John Cerasuolo. I am currently the Provincial Vice President of the OPP Association (OPPA). I’m in my 25th year of policing and have been involved with the Association for 22+ years.  I have worked my entire policing career in Northern Ontario. I’ve been on the OPPA Board of Directors since 2015.  When I started my role as an OPPA Board Director, the Association was just beginning to move forward and reestablish itself from the darkest time in its history.  We have come a long way since then.  
I was the lead negotiator during our last round of negotiations. Some highlights from those negotiations include: No takeaways, unlimited psychology benefits, a new mental health program called Encompas, increased salaries and premiums, no pension takeaways, enhanced Factor 85 for civilian pensions and expedited grievance process, to name a few.

I am leading the negotiations for the 2020-2024 Benefits Transfer Agreement which secures funding for our self-administered benefits.

I’ve worked on a number of committees over the last five years which prepare me well for the role of President.  I chair the OPPA Audit Committee, the Benefits Enhancement Committee, the Local Employee Relations Committee, and the Northern Issues Committee. I also lead the Kaplan 2 Scheduling Committee, highlights of that Committee include:

  • Additional vacation protection to include all rest days pre and post annual leave (2 blocks for over 14 years and 1 block for less than 14 years of service) with all other blocks protected as in the past
  • Pilot project for a voluntary overtime sign up list to be created six weeks in advance across detachments in expectation of future shortages
  • Rest period of at least eight hours on scheduled last night shift before court
  • Initiated the arbitration process on the one-sixth rule as management’s interpretation is unreasonable and without merit

My priorities over the next two years:

Negotiations:

  • Ensure we are prepared for the next round of negotiations (end of 2022)
  • Secure, protect, and enhance salaries, benefits, and pensions and ensure Cost of Living (COLA) of our pensions is secured
  • Ensure job security, pay equity and recognition for Special Constables
  • Obtain general law-enforcement premiums to recognize additional training, working weekends and night shifts
  • Secure civilian FXT (contract workers) to roll over to FTE (fulltime) in 18 months
  • Secure unlimited psychology and new mental health program for FXT workers who work alongside full-time members
  • Increase staffing both GLE and civilian positions – ensure the new staffing models reflect the proper staffing levels across the province
  • Establish minimums for frontline services

Oversight and Accountability:

  • Ensure and advocate with our partner Police Associations and stakeholders to ensure our officers are protected by continuing to sit on the Special Technical Table consultations on the new Police Services Act
  • Continue dialogue for the absolute need for Body Worn Cameras for all front-line officers dealing with the public
  • Continue to educate our OPPA Branches and Management and initiate a process to solve issues at the local level instead of the continuous battles in the grievance process by educating management on adhering to our Collective Agreement

Labour Relations:

  • Streamline the current grievance resolution process and ensure timelines are met so that there is a quick resolution to member’s matters leading to a positive effect on members wellness
  • Provide resources at Head Office to address all member issues in an expeditated and professional manner

Benefits:

  • Institute benefit enhancements within our self-administered plan and work with the government to implement these new enhancements to assist members with day-to-day benefit claims such as increased paramedical and vision enhancements

Partnerships:

  • Continue to ensure our members are well looked after from a wellness perspective. Ensure the Encompas program addresses the needs of all members across the province
  • Continue to have meaningful and respectful relationships with OPP management, Treasury Board Secretariat and all Government leaders
  • Continue our strong relationship with the Canadian Police Association (currently, a Board of Director on the CPA)
  • Advocating to return to the Police Association of Ontario in 2021 to unite Police Associations in addressing Policing issues (i.e. defunding police, etc.)
     

The OPPA President must be an expert on all uniform and civilian issues. They must understand proper governance. They must be experienced with respect to the roles, responsibilities, and duties of their position while balancing the fiduciary responsibilities of the Association.

I have the skills to move the Association forward, as President, and ensure member’s rights are fairly represented. I have proven Association experience and the respect of my peers and partners.  My leadership will be relentless. I will continue to be straightforward and transparent with the membership and management.

I believe the Board of Directors should reflect one director per region as we have had previously over the last three years and would support further discussions to make that a permanent fixture on the Board of Directors.

Finally, over the last 5 years, I have proven time and again in my role as Chair of the Board that I can lead our Association. I have the endorsement of our current Board to be its President.  Please make your vote count November 15-30.  Experience matters.

Thank you for your time and feel free to reach out to me anytime.

John CERASUOLO VP OPPA

Well the Provincial President’s election is fast approaching. I’m Stephen McElravy, previous Branch 10”S” President and I’m seeking your vote.

The Provincial President of our Association has three core functions;
1. The President is the sole spokesperson for the Corporation.
2. The President develops the business plan for the corporation with input from the Board, members and/or consultants.
3. The President oversees daily operations in concert with the CAO.

With these authorities and my capabilities we can strengthen our Association and improve services to our members. “The Plan” includes;

Bargaining– we are presently engaged in bargaining and it’s important that we not give up anything further. As President elect, I have the authority to terminate initiatives that are in progress and take them back to the Board. Any agreement to support any interpretation that deprives our members of vacation entitlement (1/6 rule) or to introduce a balanced schedule, I do not agree with. Our members need a work life balance. 

Our members in the PCC’s have been working short staffed. Management has hired an increasing number of contract/part time employees. These members need to be guaranteed a minimum of 24 hrs per week that is pensionable time. Full time positions that become vacated need to be filled within 45-60 days. Multilingual members need to be compensated for the time, and effort to maintain their qualification.

Staffing Levels are directly tied to Funding for the OPP.  The OPP have been defunded for years, 30 million dollars yearly with Commissioner Hawkes. 46 million dollars this year. 30 million dollars yearly starting in 2021.

Staffing levels can increase through redeploying members from elsewhere in the organization, inclusive of accommodated members to fill vacancies. Accommodation is the law, but the flat lining of accommodation on the front lines is putting undue stress on members. Accommodated members need meaningful work. Accommodation needs to be spread throughout the organization.

Ontario Human Rights Commission:
“Accommodation means making adjustments to policies, rules, requirements and/or the built environment to ensure that people with Code-related needs have equal opportunities, access and benefits. Accommodation is a shared responsibility. Everyone involved, including the person asking for accommodation, should cooperate in the process, share relevant information, and jointly explore accommodation solutions.”

Staffing levels can increase through new hires. Once the funding cuts are stopped and proper funding is secured, we need to hire to replenish shortages in the pcc’s, patrol, crime, ident, ert, all front line services. A streamlined hiring process for our civilians is needed to become constables.

Funding can be secured; Corrections made their case and the government listened.

The province will hire 500 new staff while modernizing facilities to reduce overcrowding, Solicitor General Sylvia Jones said. Ontario will infuse $500 million into corrections over the next five years as it hires hundreds of frontline staff and updates jails.

Regionalizing the Association. We need to strengthen our Association to be more effective in service delivery and representation for members. We need to be strong to stand up to the government and external forces. .  

A provincial director will be in charge of each region. Each region will have their branches and existing branch executive. Directors will have to come from that region and be voted in by the voting delegates from the branches in their region only.
The CAO will then only have six regional directors to manage making branch management streamlined and efficient. This also ensures accountability for administration and management of the region.
Each director will have an executive officer and an events director. The events director will assist the branches in coordinating and developing annual events such as golf tournament(s) and fundraisers. The proceeds will be donated back to the communities the funds were raised in.

Training– The P.A.C.E. course will be changed to the B.E.T (branch executive training course.) The B.E.T course will be for training our regional/branch staff. Executive members will receive training in human resources, health and safety and all other areas supporting the members. This includes dealing with the S.I.U, the O.I.P.R.D and P.S.B. Our executive members need to be highly trained to represent our members and deal with management.

Intranet computer system– A secure Association computer system is needed that enables members to access and search for information. A separate password protected portion for executive members to access regional business and communications. A member’s services portion for when a member is involved with a labour issue such as P.S.B. or a grievance. The member would be assigned a case number which they can then log in under. This will enable the member to view all details of their case inclusive of who is representing them and the next scheduled hearing date. Members need to feel informed and supported. 

Head Office– We will form a committee to move our Barrie head office to Orillia. This would improve access to the OPP management, the members who work at the PCC, Detachment and GHQ. We can then also access the thousands of members who attend GHQ yearly. The facility will have a convention centre, meeting rooms, social club and offices for our head office staff. Funds allocated prior to conventions will be used to service the mortgage.

My fellow members, I am honest, experienced and hard working. I am pro-active and passionate about our members. Passionate about policing.  I am experienced in dealing with Senior Command and all levels of government, inclusive of the Premier. I have a Plan. In a time that is turbulent with anti-police sentiment and calls for defunding, we need an experienced leader. We need to say no to giveaways in bargaining. We need proper funding and we need full staffing.                     

Please vote for me and I will be honoured to serve you!
Vote Steve McElravy between 9 am Nov 15 to 9 am Nov 30th/20   Thank You!!
www.votesteve2020.com
cell: 613-285-7013                                      
steve.mcelravy@gmail.com

Rob Stinson for OPPA President
#vote4change

OPP Experience:

  • Over 20 years of experience with OPP as a frontline worker;
  • Currently employed as Platoon Sgt with the Huronia West Detachment;
  • Worked at other detachments and units throughout career, including the Dignitary Protection Unit at Queens Park;
  • Various qualifications over the years, including GIT Course, Incident Command, ATV, Snowmobile, MSU, Motorcycle Operator, Breathalyzer, Computer Investigative Techniques, Radar instructor, just to name a few.

OPPA Experience – 18 yrs:

  • Served as detachment representative;
  • Served as Branch 7 Director;
  • Served as Branch 7 Vice President for two terms;
  • Served as Branch 7 President for one of the largest Branches in the OPP;
  • Dealt with many HR and disciplinary issues over the past 20 years, earning the respect of management, colleagues and members alike. Advocated on behalf of the members for critical issues including member shortages, body cams, mutual and fair resolution and communication with the members just to name a few. 

Past Experience:

  • Canadian Forces Veteran, employed as a Military Policeman, travelled around the country and the world conducting various duties, operations and training; 
  •  Attended several courses at the Justice Institute of British Columbia, Atlantic Police Academy, Canadian Police College and other various police agencies, including the RCMP;
  • Completed numerous leadership courses, both in the Canadian Forces and civilian Police institutions in addition to being trained by the federal government as a mediator/conflict resolution manager; 
  • Final position prior to leaving the Canadian Forces was Sergeant Major in charge of training at the Canadian Forces Military Police Academy in Borden. 

OPPA Priorities/Focus:

  • When elected President, will continue to be strongly committed to listening, and addressing issues that matter. Remain passionate, dedicated, to making a difference.  Will foster the proven abilities and leadership to move the OPPA organization forward;
  • Develop a plan so that eligible members can receive their severance pay now and take advantage of tax credits and self-investment;
  • Review the options of an early retirement with other levels of government and police agencies;
  • Focus is on care and concern for all members, civilian and uniform;
  • Funding shortages, discuss, address and present options to management;
  • Staffing Issues, hiring delays, stress leave, PTSI, contracts, updated benefits, suspensions, accommodations, their consequences and our mitigation strategies;
  • Work/Life Balance, discussing importance of reducing stress and preventing burnout for a more productive work force;
  • Unfavorable decisions from management, addressing with a solution based approach;
  • Grievances, assisting, counseling, referring, importance of quick resolutions;
  • Fostering open and honest communication with all members by being involved and staying current with all aspects of the day to day operations #grassroots.