OLA Pre-Budget Submissions
2026 Ontario Pre-Budget Submissions
This year, the OLA has submitted two written submissions to the 2026 Ontario Pre-Budget Consultations: one developed in collaboration with our partners at the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries (FOPL) focused on public libraries, and another from the Ontario School Library Association (OSLA) addressing school libraries.
Public Libraries
Working alongside our partners at the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries (FOPL), OLA is continuing advocacy for Ontario’s public libraries. Our 2026 Budget Recommendations for public libraries are:
- Working with all levels of government, develop a province-wide strategy to address the growing crises of mental health challenges, addiction, and homelessness to alleviate its impacts on public libraries.
- Provide critical e-learning support and fair access to modern, digital resources for all Ontario public libraries through the creation of an Ontario Digital Public Library, leveraging the province’s significant purchasing power to give all Ontarians access to a universal set of high- quality e-learning & online resources through their local public library.
- Increase provincial operating funding for Ontario’s public libraries to address critical shared priorities and community needs.
- Building upon the enhanced funding committed in the 2024 Ontario Budget, develop a sustainable funding model for public libraries on reserve to ensure that these important local hubs are fully funded and viable.
Read OLA and FOPL’s joint 2026 Ontario Pre-Budget Submission
School Libraries
Our 2026 Budget Recommendations for school libraries are:
Restore and enhance protection of provincial funding for school libraries and library staff under the Core Education Funding Model, as well as accountability for school boards about how these funds are used, in recognition of their importance for meeting Ontario’s student literacy goals and supporting student achievement.
- Update the Core Education Funding Model to create a defined sub-allocation for all school libraries and staffing funding, consistent with the provincial per-student formula;
- Update the Funding Model to fully protect these allocations; and
- Restore the annual reporting and accountability requirements regarding school libraries for school boards and implement recommended enhancements previously submitted by the OSLA to the Ontario Ministry of Education.
Past OLA Pre-Budget Submissions
2025 – OLA & FOPL Pre-Budget Submission 2025
2024 – OLA & FOPL Pre-Budget Submission 2024
2023 – OLA & FOPL Pre-Budget Submission 2023
2022 – OLA & FOPL Pre-Budget Submission 2022
2021 – OLA & FOPL Pre-Budget Submission 2021
Fall 2020 – OLA & FOPL Pre-Budget Submission Fall 2020 and Executive Summary
January 2020 – OLA & FOPL Pre-Budget Submission 2020
January 2020 – OSLA Pre-Budget Submission Letter
2019 – OLA & FOPL Pre-Budget Submission 2019
About the Budget Process
Bookmark this page for information on new budget announcements. Current OLA members will receive updates on budget announcements in their inbox.
Understanding Ontario’s provincial budget: Ontario’s provincial budget is is typically released annually in April. The government’s financial cycle ends March 31 and restarts on April 1. For more information and to see the current provincial budget, visit the Ontario government website.
Understanding Canada’s federal budget: Federal budgets have a lesser impact on Ontario’s libraries, and are presented annually in February or March. For more information, visit the Canadian government website.
