I rise with a heavy heart to commemorate the life of OPP officer Greg Pierzchala. The 28-year-old was fatally shot on December 27 while responding to the call of duty. He saw a vehicle in a ditch near Hagersville and wanted to help. That is the kind of person he was. It was Officer Pierzchala’s first official day on the job, and it was his childhood dream since he was five years old to be a police officer. His whole life was dedicated to service.

His memory will always be alive and well in Barrie, Ontario, where he attended St. Joan of Arc Catholic High School. There, he participated in numerous teams because he believed in teamwork and helping everyone reach their full potential on his team. His mindset and discipline were driven by his love for martial arts. He served in the Canadian military; he was a member of the Grey and Simcoe Foresters. He served as a Polish Highlander. He will always be remembered as someone who had a strong sense of duty for his country and community and was an exemplary police officer.

We have never lost so many police officers in this province in such a short period of time. The death of Officer Pierzchala could have been avoided, since the two individuals who murdered him were out on bail for heinous crimes and should have been behind bars. That is why our Premier joined the Ontario police and Premiers from across the nation in a plea for the federal government to address our country’s failed bail system.

I want to ask all members of this Legislature to not forget Officer Pierzchala, who was the embodiment of putting service above self, was a true hero in life in everything he did. My sincere condolences to his family, friends and the Polish community who will always remember his acts of kindness and his deep sense of duty.

If you seek it, you will find unanimous consent for the House to observe a moment of silence in remembrance of Provincial Constable Grzegorz “Greg” Pierzchala of the Ontario Provincial Police who was tragically killed in the line of duty on December 27, 2022, in Hagersville, Ontario.