July 18, 2021

Dear OPA Members,

In light of new information from the Premier of Ontario’s Office, and the Regional Health Care Units, the restriction currently in place on July 16^th still do not allow the OPA to host Centrals or Provincials.  With the best interests of the athletes in mind and despite the best efforts of the Executive Board, the OPA has decided to remain with no competitions until the fall and early 2022.  The Board has decided that there will not be a 2021 Provincial Championship.  The OPA has also removed the Provincial requirements for athletes to attend the 2022 CPU Nationals or Regionals.  Since they are both CPU events, you will be required to “ONLY” meet the CPU requirements for 2021-2022. 

The CPU Regional Central Canadian Championship is also an unknown status.  The OPA will be working closely with the CPU and the FQP to determine the fait of this competition as well.  If Centrals happens, the OPA will have an “Official” OPA handler/Coach at Centrals, again if it is held.  This is to help with novice / first time lifters, as well there will be a formal rule debriefing for the athletes before Centrals.  As of now the OPA will not require videos, photos of equipment or a lifters clinic. This is still in the infant stage as Ontario does not have the same facility “opening” freedoms that other Provinces have. 

We will also post the Covid return to play “back to the platform” regulations once a competition announcement is made.

Thank you for your patience and support.  We will get back to the platform as soon as it is safely possible.

Stay Strong

OPA Executive   

Greetings from the OPA Executive,

We are now into the second year of Covid 19 virus.  We sincerely hope you and your families have been well.  

The pandemic has really knocked the stuffing out of the OPA and CPU operations.  This executive is as anxious to get things up and running as all lifters are.  We are aware of certain criticisms on social media that we have not done enough to get things rolling again.   By way of this open letter, we will try to explain our position (without the use of cartoons).

To date, in Ontario, there has been no opportunity to safely run a live contest, that would meet our standards.  During parts of the past year, we thought there may have been a couple of windows in time to slip in a couple of small contests.   As fast as the windows opened the virus worsened in the province and our living conditions were shutdown or severely restricted.  

There were suggestions that virtual contests could be sanctioned or endorsed.   We as the executive were unanimous in agreement, that this would pose too great of a legal responsibility upon the OPA.    We considered scenarios of uncontrolled lifting where proper spotting or use of improper equipment might be in play.   Therefore, our position was and is, we would not sanction a virtual contest.   We do not want to take on the legal responsibility that could negatively affect our association going forward.

The truth is, the longer the pandemic drags on, we really don’t know what the association will look like coming out of this.    Some lifters will likely have moved on with other interests or to other lifting organizations.  If we lose a few strong people, there will be other strong people come along that are interested in being part of the CPU/OPA.  We will survive and we are fully aware that a rebuilding phase will be necessary.  We are committed to see it happen.

We believe most of our membership are waiting patiently with the required understanding of our provincial pandemic situation.  Consider for a moment, the difficulties that pro sports have endured, with far more resources at their disposal.  As soon as we are positioned to safely return to competitions, we will be there with the high quality experience our association members have been used to.  

Given the rollercoaster ride we have experienced for over a year we won’t make a prediction but stay patient and with everyone’s health and safety in mind, we will come back.

Be safe and best regards to all,

OPA Executive 

Ontario Powerlifting Association

OPA Executive and Board of Directors Update

Hello OPA Members:

I hope everyone is doing well. As we all know, no public gyms or fitness facilities have reopened, and it makes it difficult to plan ahead for competitions and the Provincial Championships.  The OPA Executive and Board of Directors have been discussing a direction and had proposed several options, but always came back to “risk vs reward”.

At this time, the OPA will be cancelling all competitions for 2020, including the Provincial Championships. 

Meet directors will be emailing all registered lifters; however, if you did not receive an email please check your junk folder, or if you have questions please contact the meet director directly.  The OPA does have a “meet postpone and cancellation” Policy.

You should receive your refund of your entrance fee, within 30 days, please contact the meet director and cc the OPA Registration Officer. This will assure your name can be removed from the list of lifters.

With the suspension of the Provincial Championships. The OPA’s Provincial requirements to attend the CPU Nationals will follow the CPU’s lead and will require the following:

1. You must be a CPU/OPA member in good standing and compete a current CCES Online Education, True Sport Clean.
2. To compete at Nationals, you will need to have the “Regional Total” registered within 30 months of 2021 Nationals.

The OPA Board of Director weighed several options, before making any decisions. We know they are not ideal, but in these times of uncertainty, our main focus is to keep our members safe and maintain transparent and fair process.   I want to thank everyone for being flexible and supportive while we continue through this year.

We ask that you continue to follow the health guidelines of Ontario. I look forward to seeing you all back on the platform!

Executive Council and Board of Directors

Ontario Powerlifting Association