Government Relations
The OLA regularly engages the Ontario Government to ensure that libraries maintain a voice in key provincial discussions. This page documents our advocacy efforts, including responses to government consultations, letters, and updates on ongoing government relations work. Members and supporters are encouraged to reference or reuse content from our materials as they see fit.
For more information, please contact Michelle Arbuckle, Executive Director.
2025
- Funding Announcement: Ontario Expanding Internet Access in First Nations and Rural Libraries
- OLA & FOPL’s Response: Public Libraries & Development Charges: Response to Ontario Regulatory Proposal 25-MMAH01
- OSLA’s Response: Proposal for amending the Education Act related to school board accountability, transparency, safety and rights
- OLA & FOPL congratulate Hon. Stan Cho on his reappointment as Ontario Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming
- OLA congratulates Hon. Paul Calandra on his appointment as Ontario Minister of Education
2024
- OLA and OSLA congratulate Hon. Jill Dunlop on her appointment as Ontario Minister of Education
- OLA and FOPL congratulate Hon. Stan Cho on his appointment as Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming
- OLA and OSLA congratulate Hon. Todd Smith on his appointment as Ontario Minister of Education
- OLA and FOPL thank Minister Lumsden re: Ontario Budget 2024 – First Nations Public Libraries
- OLA and FOPL letter to the Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery re: ServiceOntario in Public Libraries
- OSLA letter to Ontario Directors of Education and School Board Trustee Chairs re: Ontario’s school libraries and supporting student success in 2024-25
2023
- OSLA re: Recommendations for improving Grant for Student Needs (GSN) reporting
- OSLA’s Response: The Education Act New Regulation: Director of Education Performance Appraisal
- OLA and OSLA submission re: Bill 98, Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, 2023
- OLA and OSLA response re: revised elementary Language curriculum and English Grade 9 course
- FOPL and OLA letter to City of Toronto re: Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022 and Toronto Public Libraries
- FOPL and OLA letter to City of Ottawa re: Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022 and Ottawa Public Library
2022
- Submission from FOPL and OLA regarding Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 (relating to development charges).
- OLA and FOPL response to the proposed Ministers Regulations to help bring the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act (22-MMAH015).
- OSLA and CSL response: OHRC “Right to Read” Inquiry Report & Contribution of School Libraries.
Archive
- OSLA letter regarding the recent modifications to the new Grade 9 Mathematics curriculum
- Including Library Learning Commons in 2021-22 Return to School Protocols, in English and in French
- School Libraries & the 2021-22 Grants for Student Needs, in English and in French
- April 2021 – Save School Libraries Coalition – Letter to Council of Ontario Directors of Education and the Ontario Principal’s Council
- Letter to Ontario Directors of Education and School Board Trustee Chairs in English and in French
- Written Submission to the Library and Archives Canada Roundtable (English and French)
- COVID-19 School Library Brief For School Boards In Ontario
- Save School Libraries Coalition – letter to Minister Lecce
- Response to the Toronto District School Board’s decision to repurpose all Elementary teacher-librarians
- Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs Report, including reflection of OLA and FOPL’s submissions
- Written Submission to the Ministry of Infrastructure consultations with the Standing Committee of Economic and Finance
- Open Letter to Ministry of Education and Ontario School Board Associations – School Library Staff: Essential to Supporting Students Adapt and Succeed in the Unprecedented 2020-21 School Year
- Letter to Ontario Directors of Education and School Board Trustee Chairs in English and in French
- Participation in Culture and Heritage consultation with the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs
- OLA and FOPL E-mail to the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries regarding public libraries and COVID-19 Pandemic
- Letter to the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Cultural Industries and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing – Regarding municipal impacts on public libraries during Covid-19
- OLA & FOPL joint submission to the 2020 Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy
- Investing in Broadband Access through Ontario’s Public Libraries
- OSLA Submission to the Grants for Student Needs Consultation
- OSLA and CSL response: OHRC launches Right to Read public inquiry.
