Photo by B. Shakyaver
According to the Ontario Provincial Police Association, officers have become the highest-paid in the province following the ratification of a new four-year contract in July 18th. The agreement, which spans from 2023 to 2026, includes salary increases starting with a 4.75% raise retroactive to the first year, followed by 4.5% in the second year, and 2.75% raises in each of the final two years.
By the end of the contract, a first-class constable’s salary will reach $123,194. More than 75% of union members voted on the deal, with 88% of uniformed officers and 93% of civilian members approving it.
In 2019, the OPP’s contract went to arbitration just before Premier Doug Ford’s government enacted Bill 124, which capped wage increases for public sector workers. This cap did not apply to municipal police forces, putting the OPP at a disadvantage.
The union challenged Bill 124 in court, arguing that it was unconstitutional. Initially, a lower court agreed, and earlier this year, the Court of Appeal also ruled the law unconstitutional.
The province chose not to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada and instead repealed the law.
The union also achieved enhanced mental health coverage for members, addressing past concerns about the mental health of active and retired officers.
In 2018, the force lost ten members to suicide, leading to a coroner’s review. This review resulted in the creation of an integrated mental health program for active and retired members, and the new contract extends this coverage to part-time contracted civilians as well.