• June 2025: OPHA asked to do an interview with CTV news about the particulars of working with Black hair as a stylist.

   

• May 2025: OPHA asked to present at OCTE conference- OPHA presented “Cut out the Confusion” showcasing our OPHA Connect a complimentary Resource that can be utilized by Coop, OYAP, Guidance Counselors and Technical educator’s for those students interested in a career as a Hairstylist.

   

• April 2025: OPHA participated in Skilled Trades Group Mentorship Panel facilitated by Ottawa Community Loan Fund.
  

• April 30, 2025: completed SDF project Hair connect. Stats from the project:
  135 apprentices are active on the platform.
  19 apprentices successfully passed their exam — the majority had previously attempted the exam at least twice before finding success through our platform.
  60 participants identify as women or minorities.
  30 participants shared that the platform has directly contributed to improving their employment.
  20 participants reported receiving promotions since utilizing the platform.
  3 participants working as “Barber”, who wanted to be in compliance with Ontario Regulations, worked through platform and successfully obtained their license (all of which has sat the exam multiple times and 1 who came through TEA process as internationally trained barber, requiring his license to obtain his PR)

   

• February 2025: participated in SOY Trade And Talent Summit – OPHA assisted with finding the employers for the trade of Hairstylist.
  

• January-April 2025: participated in 3rd annual Stylives, Hair Heroes Challenge- 55 new stylists registered for the program between January and April- Since conception of this  collaboration we are proud to say there have been 181 individual registrants (hairstylists/apprentices) 80 salons that have engaged, 50 students and 50 schools (some educators, some students).
  

• November 2024: Partnering with SOY and WELLA to launch the inaugural Boot Camp for the trade of hairstylist:
  “We were excited to partner with the Ontario Professional Hairstylists Association (OPHA) and Wella to deliver the Tools in the Trades Boot Camp. This one-day event introduced jobseekers to the hairstyling industry, offering meaningful insights into the career and apprenticeship opportunities. Working with OPHA was a valuable experience, and we’re proud to have helped participants take their first step toward a career in hairstyling. We look forward to future collaborations that continue to support jobseekers in exploring this rewarding field.”
  Melanie Winter, Executive Director SOY.
  

• September 2024-November 2024: OPHA participated in the Level Up! career fairs, bringing the hairstyling trade to more than 15 Ontario communities and reaching over 20000 youth.
  

• August 2024-November 2024: OPHA was asked to participate in the Career Fairs Advisory Table for LevelUP Career Fairs.

• June 2024: OPHA participated as an exhibitor for the WELLA boat cruise held in Ottawa Ontario..

• May 2024-March 2025: OPHA joined the LLSC Advisory Committee for the SDF Apprenticeship Ladder Project, contributing industry expertise to help shape employer events across Ontario. Our input supported the development of actionable toolkits, strategic messaging, and outreach to small and medium-sized businesses..

• May 2024-April 30, 2025: Securing and successfully managing SDF funding that allowed us to Create the OPHA Online Exam Prep Platform..

• April-June 2024: Collaborating with the Ottawa Catholic School Board to pilot a free ESL Hairstylist Exam Prep Program for newcomers and refugees in Ontario.

• March 2024: held live webinar with Sty-Lives, Malibu C and Central Beauty Supply.

• March 2024: OPHA was asked to provide our organizations expertise by participating by the Ministry of Education in the Grade 9 and Grade 10 Technological Education Curriculum Revisions . 

• February-April 2024: participated in the 2nd annual StyLives –Hair Heroes Challenge . 

• February 2024: held webinar about Hair Loss with Dr Sam Hetz . 

• January 2024: created collaborations with Salon SOS where they provide complimentary webinars and digital tips/tricks monthly to OPHA members in our newsletter . 

• 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​. 

​

• 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