As everyone is aware, the global COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on police operations in 2020, including on training, conferences, and meetings.  The pandemic forced cancellation of the 2020 Homicide Workshop scheduled for May and other planned training events.  While 2020 has proven to be challenging for everyone, the OHIA Executive and the Workshop planning committee have begun looking forward to better days in 2021.  We understand clearly that we are still in the middle of a global pandemic, and as we engage in planning for the new year we do so with the knowledge that the best-laid plans may require a re-think.  The health and safety of you our members, your families and colleagues, and our communities are of paramount concern, and we also know that police services throughout the province have taken steps to restrict travel and attendance at conferences and meetings to reduce the risk of spread of the COVID-19 virus.  We will continue to monitor the situation as we move forward.   
To that end, we would like to provide you with several updates.  The vast majority of our member agencies have already submitted their 2020 annual OHIA membership dues.  Because we have been unable to provide training opportunities in 2020, dues will be suspended for 2021 so please do not submit them.  We will apply this year’s dues to OHIA event expenses in 2021.  If the pandemic prevents in-person training opportunities for our members in the new year we will explore virtual opportunities.   
We are committed to delivering the Homicide Workshop, our hugely popular marquis event, in 2021.  The Workshop planning committee has begun assembling another exceptional week of interesting and informative presentations for the 2021 Workshop which is scheduled for May 3 – 7 at the Embassy Suites, Niagara Falls.  Again, the planning committee and the Executive will continue to monitor the pandemic situation and will provide updates to the membership as we move into the new year.   
Every year the Workshop banquet provides an opportunity to recognize some of the outstanding work done by OHIA members via the presentation of the Lynda Shaw Award, Mike Matthews Award, Ontario Major Case Management Award, and OHIA Merit Award.  Please visit the OHIA website, www.ontariohomicide.ca, and check the Grants and Awards section for descriptions and criteria for each of the awards.  Award recipients are nominated by you, so if you know of exceptional work done by your colleagues that deserves recognition please take a few minutes and make your submission!