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FROM: Provincial Traffic Operations DATE: February 7, 2025

A SAFE SNOWMOBILE SEASON COMES DOWN TO RISK-FREE RIDING

(ORILLIA, ON) – Ahead of Ontario Snowmobile Safety Week, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) are reminding snowmobilers that making each ride risk-free gives them their best chance of safely making it through the season.

The risky driving behavior's that lead to snowmobile fatalities are the same ones year after year, as reflected in the OPP's data.
Over the past 10 snowmobile seasons (2014/15 to 2023/24),145 snowmobilers have lost their lives in OPP jurisdictions. Excessive speed, in particular driving too fast for the conditions, as well as alcohol impairment were among the leading causes or contributing factors in the fatalities. Driver inattention and lack of helmet use are among other factors that have cost snowmobilers their lives in the last decade.

Every year, snowmobilers take unnecessary risks on frozen waterways. With close to 40 per cent of the 145 fatalities occurring on frozen lakes and rivers, these locations account for the highest number of snowmobile deaths.
Riders are reminded that frozen lakes and rivers carry an inherent degree of uncertainty about how safe they are and the only way to ensure one's safety is to avoid frozen waterways altogether.

Thanks to the hard work and commitment on the part of OFSC Snowmobile Clubs, Ontario snowmobilers have access to an expansive network of trails. Through the OFSC Interactive Trail Guide (ITG), riders can obtain real-time trail status information to help them choose a safe, enjoyable trail for their next riding adventure.

Snowmobilers are reminded that it's against the law to access and ride on OFSC trails that are unavailable (all those highlighted in red on the ITG).

With Ontario Snowmobile Safety Week running from February 10 to 17, 2025, riders are encouraged to get up to date on what they need to do to keep themselves, their passengers and fellow riders safe throughout the season.

For more information about the OFSC and snowmobile safety, visit: https://www.ofsc.on.ca/safety/.

DID YOU KNOW?


• In addition to road and marine patrol, the OPP conducts patrols by snowmobile and off-road vehicle throughout the province.
• OPP Snowmobile, ATV and Vessel Enforcement (S.A.V.E.) Teams are mobile, four-season teams that target high-risk operator behavior's on trails and waterways, as part of their efforts to reduce the risk of collisions, fatalities and injuries.

OPP Contact: Sergeant Paul Beaton
Provincial Motorized Snow Vehicle Coordinator
Phone: (519) 939-0563
Email: Paul.A.beaton@opp.ca
OFSC Contact: Lisa Stackhouse
Director of Operations
Phone: (705) 739-7669 (ext. 235)
Or: (705) 717-7986
Email: lstackhouse@ofsc.on.ca

CAFC Article on Fixed Income Fraud

The Canadian Anti‐Fraud Centre is receiving reports from Canadian based insurance companies and financial institutions about brand spoofing fixed income investment fraud. Reporting suggests this is part of a broader scam using multiple well-known company names and targeting investors across Canada.

This fraud involves Canadians receiving fraudulent offers that appear to come from the actual companies offering higher than normal returns on fixed income investment products such as Guaranteed Investment Contracts (GIC) and saving bonds. Typically, these offers materialize after a consumer searches for an investment opportunity online and enters their information into an “investment finder" type ad. Consumer will then receive calls from the fraudulent operators claiming to be a legitimate company and offering a high return fixed income opportunity.

For any investment opportunities, investors are urged to verify information by looking up the company's website directly and/or calling the company at the phone number listed on its website. Do not rely on the website and phone number included in the unsolicited materials provided to you.

What is a GIC?

A Guaranteed Investment Contract (GIC) is a financial product normally between an investment and insurance company which guarantees a return. A GIC is normally used for retirement.

What is a Savings Bond?

A fixed income investment that allows you to earn a return on your investment by lending to the issuer for a period of time.

Warning Signs

• Investment opportunities with higher than normal returns.
• Beware of ads or websites that offer to assist with finding an investment
• Beware of telephone, email or social media investment offers.
• Displays of urgency to make an investment, so you don't miss out.
• Beware of spoofed domains that redirect you to a different website.

How to Protect Yourself

Before you put money into any investments you should
• Check to see if the company or website are registered by visiting the Canadian Securities Administrators website
• Do your own research. Try to verify the investment opportunity with a credible source.

Fixed Income Investment Fraud

• Avoid putting yourself at risk. Providing your contact information such as your phone number and/or email address to unverified websites could result in fraudulent offers.
• Contact your provincial securities regulator to verify investment opportunities.
• Check investor alerts
Anyone who suspects they have been the target of cybercrime or fraud should report it to their local police and to the CAFC's online or by phone at 1-888-495-8501.

FROM: Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment DATE: February 6, 2025

OPP AND CAFC PARTNER TO RAISE AWARENESS OF FIXED INCOME INVESTMENT FRAUD

(MIDLAND,ON)- Members of the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) are continuing to raise the awareness for North Simcoe residents of the various scams that they may encounter on the telephone or online.

The Canadian Anti‐Fraud Centre is receiving reports from Canadian based insurance companies and financial institutions about brand spoofing fixed income investment fraud. Reporting suggests this is part of a broader scam using multiple well-known company names and targeting investors across Canada.

This fraud involves Canadians receiving fraudulent offers that appear to come from the actual companies offering higher than normal returns on fixed income investment products such as Guaranteed Investment Contracts (GIC) and saving bonds. Typically, these offers materialize after a consumer searches for an investment opportunity online and enters their information into an "investment finder" type ad. Consumer will then receive calls from the fraudulent operators claiming to be a legitimate company and offering a high return fixed income opportunity.

No matter your level of cyber fitness, fraudsters will stop at nothing to steal from their victims. Your best protection against cyber threats is to learn more about them and the simple steps you can take to protect yourself.

To learn more about common tactics used by cyber criminals, explore the Fraudster's toolbox infographic

Anyone who suspects they have been the victim of cybercrime or fraud should report it to their local police and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre's online reporting system or by phone at 1-888-495-8501. If not a victim, report it to the CAFC anyway.

CAFC Team

partners@antifraudcentre.ca

Fraud: Recognize. Reject. Report.

#kNOwFraud

Follow us on Twitter (@canantifraud) and Facebook (Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre)

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Media Officer

Provincial Constable David Hobson

///relations.fatigue.appraise

T-705-733-5440 E- david.hobson@opp.ca

Social Media OPP Central Region X / OPP Central Region Facebook / OPP Central Region Instagram

The Southern Georgian Bay snowmobile patrol unit was on hand yesterday at the Georgian Bay Snow Riders GBSR club house along with Municipal and Provincial dignitaries to show their support for the local "Rescue Airboat" fund raiser and to provide some educational points for snowmobilers as they passed by on the trail.

FROM/DE: Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment DATE: February 1, 2025

OPP and MNRF Conduct Joint Snowmobile Patrols in the Midland Area

(MIDLAND,ON) - Members of the snowmobile patrol attached to the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police conducted a joint patrol of North Simcoe area trails and frozen ice surfaces with their counterparts at Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) during the daylight hours of January 31, 2025.

Officers on sleds logged over 36 hours of patrol checking over 75 snowmobilers and ice fishers for equipment, required licences, registration and trail passes where applicable.

With a balance between rider education and enforcement in mind, officers deal with issues found on the trails on a daily basis under some extreme weather conditions and welcome your cooperation on the many trails here in North Simcoe.

With both OPP and MNRF officers working together a variety of Acts under the Provincial Offences Act were enforced as follows - Five persons were given warnings and four persons received fine notices. (See attached OPP/MNR photographs)

If you need to renew your snow vehicle registration you can visit a Service Ontario centre in person or visit the following site online https://cxp.mgcs.gov.on.ca/cxp-web/licence-plate-renewal/information or if you have a snowmobile related law question please visit the following site for your answer - Motorized Snow Vehicles Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.44 | ontario.ca. Fishing regulations can also searched online at Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary | ontario.ca

Snowmobiling is a wonderful sport for most family members to enjoy the great outdoors, but sadly we have to attend incidents involving snowmobiles being operated by persons who are suspected of being impaired, or operating carelessly and are tasked with an investigation that will have long lasting effects on all involved, victims and emergency services personnel.

Ride in control and to the trail conditions
Obey the posted speed limit.
Never, ever drive impaired
No Ice is Safe Ice
Snowmobilers planning to head out on the OFSC trail system this weekend would be well advised to check on the following website link to ensure the trail is open for use - Snowmobiling Ontario

It also goes without saying to always remember that, "No Ice Is Safe Ice" and to check the ice surface or inquire with local residents, ice hut operators, weather stations or any other reliable source before heading out and possibly going through into the frigid waters below. Ultimately, you may be risking your life, the lives of others possibly with you and that of emergency service responders tasked to rescue you, or worse to locate and remove you from the frigid waters.

All drivers /riders/operators should be aware that the O.P.P. R.I.D.E. program checks are conducted 24/7 all year long. The OPP remains committed to taking alcohol/drug-impaired drivers off our roads & trails through enforcement and public education so riders can expect to see OPP officers on the trail system during day time & night time hours. Also, it can be expected that uniform road patrol officers will be conducting Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (R.I.D.E.) programs at trail heads. The Detachment also works with area safety partners such as MADD Canada, Arrive Alive, The North Simcoe Safe and Sober Awareness Committee and area snowmobile clubs, Georgian Bay Snow Riders (GBSR) and the Baxter Snow Riders (BSR) and the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC).

The sport of snowmobiling has many associated inherent risks, dangers and hazards caused by the changing terrain & environment, your machine, and others on their machines to name a few. To help reduce these risks, riders are reminded to always check the Interactive Trail Guide before heading on the trails and wear all of the required safety equipment including floater suits if travelling on frozen water surfaces. It is highly recommended to have a fully charged cell phone with you, let a family member know where your heading to and a return time, load a location app on your cell phone such as What3Words and/or the Interactive Trail Guide and remember that "No Ice Is Safe Ice" . Self rescue maybe your only way out for reasons depicted in the following link - https://twitter.com/OPP_News/status/1342817627077488641

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Media Officer

Provincial Constable David Hobson

///relations.fatigue.appraise

T-705-733-5440 E- david.hobson@opp.ca

Social Media OPP Central Region Twitter / OPP Central Region Facebook / OPP Central Region Instagram

Learn more about the CAMSafe program and to register security cameras please visit https://camsafe.ca/