About OPPVA
Goodwill & Fellowship
The Ontario Provincial Police Veterans’ Association (OPPVA), was formed by Letters Patent on June 6, 1969. In 1970, the first Executive Board was chosen at the inaugural meeting in Toronto.
Elmer Hoath was named president, Alan Williams vice president, James Stanton secretary, and George Halliday treasurer. The directors were David L. Mitchell, Charles Wood, Alexander MacLeod, John Clark and Clarence Parmenter.
The original three Chapters totaling 150 members, formed in Kenora, London and Niagara Falls, have grown to 24 Chapters with 2,400 plus members.
The original signators were: David Mitchell, Syl Napolitano, Ross Ball, James Stanton, Alan Williams, Stewart Foster, Robert Adams, Arthur Hope, George Halliday and Arthur Laing.
We wish to express our sincere gratitude for the foresight and dedication of these members. It is our objective to maintain and foster the goodwill and fellowship they envisioned and continues to grow.
Goodwill & Fellowship
As set out in the Letters Patent dated June 6, 1969:
A. To promote the best interests of Ontario and Canada;
B. To be of service to the Ontario government;
C. To cooperate with and render assistance to the Ontario Provincial Police in all matters of concern;
D. To promote the social, physical and economic welfare of former members and the auxiliary.
Our efforts are supported and reinforced by the OPP, OPP Association, OPP Commissioned Officers Association and the OPP Auxiliary. All retired OPP members are life members of the OPPA.
Surviving spouse and dependents also receive the attention of the OPPA and OPPVA.
In our retirement, these Associations serve as an extension of the Force, whether it be in safeguarding our pensions and various benefits or maintaining friendships and communications within the police family.
Membership
There are four categories of membership that can be granted by resolution:
- Regular
- Associate
- Life Member
- Honorary
Regular and Associate members are required to pay minimal annual dues.
Regular
- Any current, retired or former employee of the OPP, or the OPP Auxiliary provided that they served for a period of not less than five (5) years as an employee of the OPP or the OPP Auxiliary and honourably separated therefrom, and since separation their character has been exemplary
- Any former employee of the OPP or the OPP Auxiliary provided that upon separation they continued employment in a Law Enforcement field for combined period of not less than five (5) years and whose character has since been exemplary
Associate
- Any employee or former employee of another police or law enforcement agency provided they were employed for a period of not less than five (5) years and honourably separated therefrom, and since separation their character has been exemplary
- Any former OPP employee, having served less than five (5) years provided they continued employment in Police work or a companion field of endeavor for a combined period of not less than five (5) years, and whose character has since been exemplary
- A Chapter may appoint, by a majority vote at a Chapter meeting, as Associate members;
- Any person that is or has been associated with Police work for a period of not less than five (5) years
- Any surviving spouse of a deceased member
- Any spouse of a member, if such member designates his/her spouse to become an Associate member
Life Member
- The Provincial Board of Directors may, by resolution, appoint any regular or associate member to Life membership in the Association, who has been a paid-up member for a minimum of five consecutive years prior to the member’s 80th or subsequent birthday
Honorary
- The Provincial Board of Directors Board may by resolution appoint as Honourary members;
- Any person who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of law and jurisprudence or to the enforcement of law or to the promotion of the aims, purposes and ideals of the Association
- The Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police
- The President of the Ontario Provincial Police Association
- The President of the Commissioned Officers Association
- A chapter may by resolution, appoint as Honorary members;
- A surviving spouse of a member
- Upon application to the Provincial Board of Directors with relevant information and reasons and subsequent approval, a chapter may nominate a person for honorary membership in the Association
Activities
Our coming together is based on fellowship and the maintenance of friendships developed during our years of service. Chapters meet at various times during the year and families participate in a variety of social events.
Some Chapters are involved in fund raising for children’s health programs and other charities. The health and welfare of our members and their families is a primary concern – you are not forgotten.
Wherever you are in Ontario, you have an OPP Veterans’ Association Chapter near you.
Chapters across the province with members and growing.
- Chatham
- London
- Burlington
- Simcoe-Brantford
- Niagara
- Toronto
- Guelph
- Huron Perth
- Mount Forest
- Peterborough
- Belleville
- Kingston
- Pembroke
- Smiths Falls
- Ottawa
- Hawkesbury
- Cornwall
- North Bay
- Sudbury
- Sault Ste. Marie
- Timmins
- Thunder Bay
- Kenora
- Orillia
Whose Eligible
- Active Members
- Retired Members
- Auxiliary Members
- Civilian OPP employees (Managers, secretaries, communication operators, mechanics, caretakers etc.)
- Former OPP members
- Special Constables
- Offender Transport Members
- STOP Program Members.
- Aboriginal Police Services Members
- Members from the Fire Marshal’s office, CN or CPR Police or from other forces without a Retired Police Officers Association or who no longer reside in their force location
- Person who has been associated with police work for at least five years and would be an asset to the local Chapter
Those living outside the province can also join.
Enjoy the fellowship and renew friendships while participating in various social activities.
You don’t have to be RETIRED to join the OPP Veterans’ Association.