Presidents message...

Dear Members,

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As President of the Ontario Association of Property Standards Officers (OAPSO), I am honoured to address you through this message. I want to begin by expressing my heartfelt gratitude for your ongoing dedication and hard work in maintaining and enforcing property standards across Ontario. Your efforts are essential to ensuring the safety, health, and well-being of our communities.

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This year marks a significant milestone for our association as we celebrate our Golden Jubilee. For five decades, OAPSO has been committed to upholding the highest standards in property maintenance and safety, and this achievement would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of each and every one of you. Together, we have built a strong foundation and a bright future for Property Standards Officers in Ontario.

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I would like to take this opportunity to extend my deepest gratitude to our now Immediate Past President, Allison Henshall. Her leadership and dedication over the past years have been instrumental in guiding our association and ensuring its continued success. Allison's commitment to excellence has set a high standard for all of us to follow.

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Additionally, we must acknowledge the invaluable contributions of our retiring instructors: Philip Cassata, Garry Anderson, Warwick Perrin, and John Lane. Their expertise, dedication, and passion for teaching have significantly shaped our training programs and have left a lasting impact on countless property standards officers. We wish them all the best in their future endeavors and thank them for their years of unwavering support.

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In recognition of their outstanding contributions, we are proud to award Italo "Joe" Luzi and Philip Cassata with the Life Membership award from the Association. This prestigious award is a testament to their dedication, service, and lasting impact on the communities they’ve helped build.

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As we look to the future, we are pleased to announce that Italo "Joe" Luzi will be returning to the board of directors for 2024, in accordance with the provisions of our association’s by-law, for a period of one year, as a Life Member at large. During this time, Joe will be assisting in the oversight of the Association’s Education portfolio, leveraging his extensive knowledge, expertise, and deep understanding of both the association and the property standards industry.

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Looking ahead, I am excited about the opportunities that lie before us. Our association is committed to providing you with the resources, training, and support necessary to excel in your roles. We are continually working to enhance our educational programs, expand our professional development offerings, and advocate for the interests of property standards officers at the provincial level.

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In 2025, our Annual Training Seminar (ATS) will be heading North! We are exploring options between Barrie and Sudbury to provide a new and exciting venue for our members. Additionally, we are committed to modernizing our training program with the introduction of more technology and enhanced online communications. This will ensure that our members have access to the best tools and resources at their fingertips.

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Furthermore, we will be exploring the feasibility of a three-year budget plan to better manage our finances and advance risk mitigation measures. We are also focused on building on our existing partnerships with the Municipal Law Enforcement Officers' Association (MLEOA), the Ontario Building Officials Association (OBOA), and the Code Enforcement Officers' Safety Foundation (CEOSF).

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As part of our commitment to stronger communication and enhanced engagement, I would like to remind all members to ensure that their profiles on our website are up to date. The website now serves as our primary database and point for email communications, training registration, and certification applications. Keeping your profile current is crucial for staying informed about our activities and accessing all the benefits our association offers.

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I encourage each of you to take advantage of the opportunities provided by our association. Attend our events, participate in our training programs, and connect with your fellow members. By working together and supporting one another, we can achieve great things.

As we move forward, I am confident that our association will continue to thrive and positively impact our communities. Thank you for your unwavering commitment and for being a part of the Ontario Association of Property Standards Officers. Together, we can build a brighter future for our profession and the people we serve.

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Sincerely,

 

Alexander Wray
President, Ontario Association of Property Standards Officers