Ontario Provincial Police reports surge in charges during Civic Holiday weekend

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) recorded a sharp increase in traffic‑related and marine enforcement actions over the Civic Holiday long weekend. Eight people died in road and water incidents, the deadliest weekend of the year, and OPP officers laid more than 8,200 charges, including nearly 4,000 speeding tickets, 188 impaired‑driving offences and dozens of marine safety violations.

Specific incidents included a collision on Highway 410 where 63‑year‑old Bhupinder Gharial was charged with failing to remain and operating while impaired, and a series of impaired‑driving arrests in Dufferin County that resulted in six additional charges. The OPP’s SAVE unit also issued 42 marine and off‑road vehicle charges across central Ontario waterways. Joint operations shut down three illegal cannabis dispensaries in London, leading to three possession and proceeds‑of‑crime charges. Separate traffic stops in Bonfield and near Iron Bridge resulted in impaired‑driving, trafficking and theft charges for Albert Blais and Kevin Guise, respectively.