OPP urges caution this Labour Day weekend: 18 marine and 17 ATV deaths so far this year

Courtesy Barrie360.com

By Ian MacLennan, September 4, 2026

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are urging people to make good decisions this Labour Day weekend, especially if you are heading out onto the water or hitting the trails.

So far this year, 18 people have died in marine incidents investigated by the OPP. Most were not wearing a life jacket, according to police. Another 17 people have died in ATV and off-road fatalities.

OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt says people can end up paying with their lives because of what are often very preventable situations.

“Like not wearing a life jacket, or being out there in conditions that aren’t warranted, or making just bad decisions overall in being out on the water or out on the trail,” Schmidt said in a social media post.

Police are also reminding drivers to be careful on the roads.

254 people have died in motor vehicle collisions on OPP-patrolled roads so far this year.

Schmidt says 67 people died as a result of excessive speed or dangerous driving of some sort.

38 motorcyclists have also died.

Seven people died in collisions last year during the Labour Day weekend, police said.