DURHAM COLLEGE
Durham College Alumni Honoured with Premier's Award

Two Durham College (DC) graduates and Toronto police officers have been recognized with one of Ontario's highest honours for college alumni the Premier's Award for their groundbreaking work supporting military veterans.

Jeremy Burns and Aaron Dale, both DC alumni and co-founders of the Military Veterans Wellness Program (MVWP), were named 2025 recipients of the Premier's Award in the Community Advancement category, presented by Colleges Ontario in partnership with the Government of Ontario. The awards celebrate outstanding college graduates whose achievements have made significant contributions in their fields and strengthened Ontario's economy, communities and industries.

Dale completed the Police Foundations program at Durham College in 2005 while in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve Force. In 2012, Dale joined the Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR), becoming a Special Forces Operator.

Burns graduated from DC's Law and Security Administration program in 2004 and Penology and Youth program in 2005, before joining the Canadian Armed Forces Regular Force in 2007. He was stationed at CFB Edmonton with the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, deploying to Afghanistan in 2009. His experiences in combat profoundly impacted him and upon returning home, he struggled with mental health challenges.

While they both attended DC, the pair didn't meet until they both joined the Toronto Police Service where they discovered a shared interest in developing a program to support other veterans.

Building on their college education and military service, Burns and Dale created the MVWP, a first-of-its-kind initiative that helps police officers better understand and support veterans as they transition to civilian life. Drawing on their own experiences in the military, the pair saw a gap in services for veterans struggling with mental health challenges, homelessness, and the risk of suicide and took action.

Now in place at more than 90 police agencies, the MVWP has provided training and resources to over 18,000 officers across Canada and connected hundreds of veterans with urgent care. Endorsed at all levels of government and recognized by international policing bodies, the program helps to reshape policy across borders. Developed on their own time and launched in partnership with the Toronto Police Service, it is now mandatory training for all Toronto police officers, with the RCMP and Ontario Provincial Police also implementing it.

Through innovation, empathy, and leadership, Burns and Dale are transforming how communities support those who have served and exemplify the impact of a Durham College education.