Message from the President

The Police Association of Ontario prioritizes our members’ mental health and wellbeing. Given that our members are overexposed to trauma daily, the need to prioritize member wellness and mental health has never been more critical. This is particularly important following a year marked by an unprecedented number of officers killed in the line of duty and those who died by suicide.

Ensuring we all work collaboratively to reduce the stigma around mental health has never been more important. Many of our members and I, especially those with the Hamilton Police Association, were shocked and saddened by the tragic loss of Constable Greg Mills in September.

Our members not only have to deal with the stress and mental anguish of the difficult calls they respond to and the dangerous situations they walk into — they also grieve the deaths of their colleagues.

Although employee wellness is primarily the employer’s responsibility, in this issue of The Dispatch, you will read about an incredible not-for-profit organization supporting our members and their families to get them through their darkest days (pages 28 to 29).

On October 10, World Mental Health Day, I wrote an op-ed in the Hamilton Spectator highlighting the harmful policies in place in many police workplaces that stigmatize workers who choose to prioritize their mental health and well-being.

I stated that senior commanders and human resources managers in every police service in Ontario play a critical role in helping members navigate the WSIB process – a process that lets first responders quickly access WSIB benefits by presuming that mental health injuries are work-related.

Given the challenges around access to mental health support and the stigma that continues to exist within our police workplaces, we made advocating for changes a top priority at our 24th annual Lobby Day at Queen’s Park.

This included calling for legislative changes that will provide members with a clearer support path from WSIB when mental health issues require members to file a claim with the WSIB. Our local association executive members play a crucial role in the success of our important work in making our association an effective advocate for police personnel across the province, and this year was no different.

We’ve asked the Province to amend the timeline for mental health claims so our members can quickly get the help they need and also to amend Section 14 of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act so that presuming work-relatedness when diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder also presumes loss of earnings due to inevitable absences (pages 20 to 22).

On September 25, we added eight names to the Honour Roll tablets on Parliament Hill at the 46th Annual Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial in Ottawa. The memorial service occurred only two days after the on-duty killing of Maple Ridge RCMP Constable Rick O’Brien in Coquitlam, B.C. – a poignant reminder of the daily risks our members undertake.

In this issue, we ask President Leah Thomas from the South Simcoe Police Association how her members are coping with the loss of Constable Devon Northrup and Constable Morgan Russell after they were fatally shot last year (pages 10 to 11). As members who experienced a profound loss, they still need our support, and we are committed to supporting all members grieving the tragic loss of their colleagues.

As we continue to deal with the grief we have experienced this year, remember that you are never alone; you are part of a police personnel family exceeding 28,000 strong, advocating on your behalf and working to reduce the stigma. If you or someone you know is struggling, please contact your local association, and they will ensure you receive the assistance you need or visit pao.ca/MentalHealth

With the Community Safety and Policing Act (CSPA) coming into force on April 1, 2024, the PAO is working with our policing partners and government stakeholders in Ontario to ensure that the Act and its associated regulations are known, shared, and discussed. Your local will update you on recognition, education, budget arbitration, oversight, and governance.

Also, read about our exceptional members, Police Hero of the Year Service Awards Finalists, on pages 33 to 34, hosted in October by the Windsor Police Association and then the Hamilton Police Association.

In 2024, the PAO will continue to build a space that allows our members to thrive by providing critical education around implementing the new Act and advocating for our members’ safety and well-being so they may continue to serve their communities.

In Unity,

Mark Baxter