OLA Pre-Budget Submissions
2024 Ontario Pre-Budget Submission
Working alongside our partners at the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries (FOPL), OLA is continuing advocacy for Ontario’s libraries. Our 2024 Budget Recommendations are:
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.
- Working alongside First Nations Public Library leaders, implement a sustainable funding model for public libraries on reserve to ensure that these important local hubs are fully-funded and viable. As an immediate first step, enhance the existing direct provincial funding support for public libraries on reserve (the First Nations Salary Supplement) to sustainably fund library operations and ensure a living income for frontline library staff in these communities.
- Increase provincial operating funding for Ontario’s public libraries to address critical shared priorities and community needs.
School Libraries
- Mandate that school boards must spend funding allocated by the Ministry of Education for school libraries, staffing and resources on this critical component for student success. They should also be made to fully complete the corresponding accountability and planning measures now required under the Grants for Student Needs.
Updated Advocacy Priorities (Sept 2023)
OLA & FOPL have created a new advocacy priorities document to guide our government relations work. While this document may look familiar, there are two main changes to note:
- Our ask regarding the Provincial Libraries Operating Grant (PLOG) has changed. We are now asking for an increase to the PLOG of an additional $25 million annually on top of the existing $21 million grant. The additional $25 million would restore the PLOG to a present-day value, addressing the impact of inflation, rising costs of living and other pressures accumulated over more than 25 years. We have framed this new ask to address shared critical areas of both the library community’s and province’s priorities.
- Language pertaining to the Ontario Digital Public Library (ODPL) ask has also changed. We are now asking for a projected cost of $10 – $20 million to demonstrate various levels of investment. An ODPL Briefing Note has been prepared by the FOPL board for further context.
Read OLA and FOPL’s Advocacy Priorities (Sept 2023)
Read ODPL Briefing Note (Sept 2023)
Past OLA Pre-Budget Submissions
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.
