Our hearts go out this morning to the brave members of the Canadian Armed Forces, their families, and the dedicated First Responders and medical teams responding to the major fire at CFB Wainwright in Alberta. From one service to another, we deeply appreciate the unwavering commitment and sacrifice of these individuals who serve and protect our country. The PAO extends its sincerest condolences to the families and colleagues of those who have lost their lives, and wishes a swift and full recovery to all who are injured.

Great to see the London Police Association, led by President Gareth Harris, supporting the @ABLE_org Scholarship & Awards Gala! An inspiring event that celebrates excellence in law enforcement, recognizes outstanding achievements, and honours members who continue to make a meaningful difference in our communities. @LdnPoliceAssoc

#ICYMI Last week, we held our annual Civilian Conference, hosted by the Belleville Police Association! Members connected with peers from across the province, shared knowledge, and explored ways to better support civilian members in their unique roles and the challenges they face. A great opportunity to learn, connect, and strengthen our support for civilian members!

With an eye to the future, the Police Association of Ontario’s Board of Directors recently came together for a strategic planning session to establish the priorities and direction that will guide the PAO through 2027–2030. A sincere thank you to our member associations and association executives who shared their input throughout this important process. This is your plan, and your feedback is helping guide our priorities and direction for the years ahead. Thank you as well to Carol-Anne Moutinho of @ThePortageGroup for your expertise and guidance in helping us plan for the future!

Happy Thanksgiving! Today, and every day, we’re thankful for our 33,000+ members who dedicate themselves to protecting our communities. A special thank you to those working today and spending time away from their families to keep Ontario safe. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Today is #WorldMentalHealthDay. Most people will experience 3-10 traumatic events in their lifetime. Police officers will face close to 800-1000. What our members experience on the job can stay with them long after they’ve clocked out. Mental health matters, and having the right support can make all the difference. Let’s support one another, break the stigma, and keep the conversation about mental health going. If you’re struggling, please know that help is available. Find mental health and wellness resources here: pao.ca/mental-health-wellnes… @CanadaBTB @WoundWarriorCA @BootsOTGround @BadgeLifeCanada

We’re relieved to hear this positive update on Cst. Jeff Smith’s progress following the events of September 20. Our thoughts continue to be with him and his family as they navigate the long road to recovery.

That’s a wrap on the PAO’s 2026 Civilian Conference! The two-day conference, hosted by the Belleville Police Association, brought members together for expert-led sessions on civilian collective bargaining, legal and discipline updates, JJE’s and pay equity, onboarding and workplace culture, AI in policing, and a provincial roundtable. Thank you to our Conference Co-Chairs, Kathryn Chytuk, Tim Morrison and Becky Verreault, for your leadership and dedication, and to all our association executives for your continued work supporting civilian police members across Ontario. A special thank you to the Belleville Police Association for hosting us and organizing a fantastic social event at Linguine’s Italian Restaurant last night. We appreciate everyone who contributed to a successful conference!

Thank you, @OntarioPCParty, for your continued collaboration and support in protecting our members. We need stronger action to protect our members and ensure that violent and repeat criminals face serious consequences for offences committed against those who serve our communities.

Following last week's National Roundtable on Officer Safety, the Canadian Police Association and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police have sent a joint letter to Prime Minister Carney, on behalf of association presidents and executives, urging coordinated action to better protect police officers across Canada. We call for targeted policy changes to enhance officer safety, increase accountability for violence against police, and improve the tools and resources available to police services. The PAO remains committed to working with all levels of government to advance these priorities and deliver meaningful action that protects our members. Read the full letter below. cpa-acp.ca/sites/default/fil…

Advancing WE in Policing Ontario (AWIP) is hosting its inaugural Women’s First Responders Summit! Taking place October 16–18 in Puslinch, Ontario, this three-day summit will bring women in first responder roles together for professional development, meaningful connection, reflection, and wellness. Register and learn more: forms.office.com/r/ZfRHEfdes…

Today, we had the honour of celebrating Cst. Preston Gabriele, recipient of a Police Services Hero of the Year Award, in Hamilton, surrounded by members of his service and his family. Cst. Gabriele has gone above and beyond in his role, making a meaningful difference while on duty and earning the 2026 On-Duty Difference Maker – Uniform Award. Congratulations, Preston, on this outstanding achievement! Read more about the story behind Preston’s recognition: pao.ca/news-post/police-asso…

Thank you, Premier Ford, for listening to our members' concerns and recommendations and for working to develop a plan that better supports our members and their safety. We appreciate your leadership and commitment, and look forward to the same strong collaboration with @SeanFraserMP and @gary_srp as we work together to address this critical issue. We will never waver in our commitment to the safety and well-being of our members.

Today, on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we honour the children who never returned home, residential school survivors, and all those impacted. We remember, we listen, and stand together in support of reconciliation—today and every day. #EveryChildMatters

A great few days at the national Roundtable on Officer Safety in Ottawa. The safety and well-being of our members are our top priority, and we look forward to working closely with the CPA and CACP to keep moving this important work forward.

Officer safety is a responsibility shared by more than just police services and associations. It’s a collaborative effort that impacts the health and well-being of every member and the communities we serve. After two days at the national Roundtable on Officer Safety, hosted by the Canadian Police Association and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, we heard diverse perspectives, identified critical gaps, and explored tangible actions to better protect our members. This summit marks another important step forward, but our commitment to our members' well-being continues every day.