• October 2023: OPHA will be a partner in Beauty X show . 

• June 2023: Started to develop a program in partnership with My Support Women and Wella to promote hairstyling as a career option to women who are immigrants, new comers , under
  represented communities as a viable choice to secure financial Independence. 

• May 2023: OPHA was invited to develop and plan upcoming career fairs for Ontario Fall 2023​. 

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• April 2023: invited to attend a live legislative committee meeting where Bill 79 – “Working for Workers Act 2023” would be presented to the Standing Committee. We were also invited to do a written submission, which OPHA did create and submit on behalf of the trade of Hairstylist . 

• March 2023: Reached 500 participants on our OPHA Connect Platform. 

• March 2023: met with My Support Women Organization to discuss collaborating on creating a curriculum for their clients that would present the trade of hairstyling as a career option to support my support women’s mission in creating financial experience in an experiential learning atmosphere.

• March 2023: met with Barber Association to see how modules could be of assistance to create collaboration and bring members into compliance in Ontario.

• March 2023: Held Live Zoom Workshop to walk interested individuals through apprenticeship registration and introduce the Modules.

• March 2023: met with Green Circle Salons to discuss inclusion of modules specific to sustainability and offer webinars to continue educating our industry on being more environmentally friendly .

• March 2023:  O.P.H.A. met with New Brunswick Hairdressers Association to present pilot project for their review and comments.

• March 2023: met with officials from Kirabati Government to discuss how our modules could support their citizens who are considering relocating to Canada as a Hairstylist.

• March 2023: was invited to do a presentation to the WELLA National Sales Team. WELLA is very aware of the needs and concerns of the hairstyling Industry in Ontario/Canada. WELLA hears daily how difficult the system is to navigate. As a result WELLA acknowledged the critical need OPHA’s SDF project, OPHA Connect bridged and therefore become a partner and saw the value in their sales team being able to share this resource with their clients.

• January 2023: held meetings with partner colleges and PAC’s to review status of Ministry pilot project and to receive their feedback .

• October 2022: Hosted a webinar with our partner Employment Ontario” Have you ever considered a career as a hairstylist?” and created expert panel to speak about OYAP, traditional apprenticeship, the 1500 hour program and an subject matter expert to share different career options.

• Feb 7, 2022: Held round table with Catherine Fife and local politicians . 

• January 2023:  held meetings with partner colleges and PAC’s to review status of Ministry pilot project and to receive their feedback . 

• August 31, 2021:  THE HAIRWAY TO THE PANDEMIC RECOVERY PLAN

• July 27, 2021:  Ontario’s hair school standards still ignore Black hair four years after work began to include it

• June 24, 2021:  Summary of Measures: Step 2 of the Road Map to Reopen

• June 24, 2021:  Hair Salons are being unfairly punished by
  Ontario’s Reopening Policy

• June 23, 2021:  CBC Live Interview with Board Member:
  Salons in Ontario could  open ahead of schedule
  under Stage 2

• June 1, 2021:  CFIB – Open Letter to Hon. Doug Ford, MP
  

• May 7, 2021:  Announcement – OPHA participation with Phase 2 Consultation with Skilled Trades Panel
  

• april 29, 2021:  Open Mic panel session: Coping in a Post Pandemic World on Wednesday, May 5th, 2021:

  – at 3:00pm EST on Zoom

• april 20, 2021:  Tuesday, April 27th, 2021:

  – at 3:00pm EST on Zoom
  – at 7:00pm EST on Zoom

• april 19, 2021:  The Hairstylist Empowerment Podcast w/
  Natasha Wood, hosted by Brad Poirier

• april 12, 2021:  The Hairstylist Empowerment Podcast w/
  Penny Wood, hosted by Brad Poirier

• march 26, 2021:  Refinery29 -Why can’t hair salons just open?

• march 25, 2021:  Press Release – OPHA ask Doug Ford to
  show data justifying salon closures

• january 28, 2021:  Ontario Hair Salons
  want Ontario to allow them to reopen amid lockdown

• january 27, 2021:  Public Information session on Monday,
  February 1st, 2021 at 7:00pm EST on Zoom

• january 25, 2021:  Ontario Helping Apprentices Cover Living Expenses during Training

• january 22, 2021:  Ottawa CityNews -Ottawa hair stylist
  advocating for government funding, a reopening
  plan for her industry

• january 15, 2021:  Application Now Open for Ontario’s
  Small Business Support Grant
  

• December 29, 2020:  :Hairstylist Association President Says They Are Unfairly Grouped in Shutdown

• november 9, 2020:  OPHA submits a written submission to
  the Skilled Trade Panel providing input on the
  principles guiding the new services delivery model

• October 9, 2020:  Federal government announces direct
  rent relief for businesses hurt by COVID-19
  

• October 7, 2020:  Ontario Supports Small Main Street
  Businesses with $60 Million in Funding through PPE
  Grant