Resources, Articles, & Advocacy
Advocacy | March 27, 2026
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of March 23
2026 Ontario Budget: On Thursday, the Ontario government released the 2026 Budget, A Plan to Protect Ontario. Justice sector spending is projected at $7.3 billion in 2026-27, and the overall deficit for 2026-27 is $13.8 billion, up from the $7.8 billion figure in the 2025 budget. You can read more about the budget and view the full document here.
Advocacy | March 27, 2026
OBA Update - Budget 2026
Justice sector expense is projected to increase from $7.2 billion in 2024–25 to $7.4 billion in 2028–29. Investments in the sector support enhanced border security, the expansion and construction of new correctional institutions, and public safety,
Legislative Update | March 20, 2026
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of March 16
Pepper Spray: Ontario is calling on the Federal government to amend the Criminal Code to allow the use of pepper spray for self-defence. Currently, pepper spray designed for use on people is classified as a prohibited weapon.
Article | March 17, 2026
Increasing Police Presence in Ontario Schools
Recent amendments to the Education Act require school boards to work with local police services to provide access to schools prescribed circumstances. The Ministry of Education has proposed new regulations that detail the circumstances where police must be given access to participate in school board programming and to implement school resource officer programs. This article provides an overview of the Ministry’s proposal.
Article | March 17, 2026
S.R. v Matthews Hall Case Summary
In S.R. v Matthews Hall, 2024 HRTO 680 (CanLII) (“Matthews Hall”), the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (the “Tribunal”) awarded significant damages in favour of the Applicant family (the “Applicants”), who alleged discrimination contrary to the Human Rights Code, (the “Code”) and sought compensation from a private school (the “School”) and the Head of the School, along with other public interest remedies.
