History and Role of the Ontario Crown Attorneys' Association

The Ontario Crown Attorneys' Association (OCAA) was founded in 1946 as a volunteer organization that focused primarily on the legal education of its members. In 1989, the Association began to collectively bargain for all non-management Crown Attorneys in the Criminal Law Division of the Ministry of the Attorney General. By 1994 the OCAA's membership had grown to 350 and the creation of its first full-time employee, the President, was approved by the membership. As of 2004 a second full time Executive position, the Vice President of Collective Bargaining, was added to the OCAA office. Today, the Association remains a predominantly volunteer association but its focus has broadened significantly since its inception.

The focus of the OCAA is ensuring the continuing legal education of its members and collectively bargaining on their behalf. However, the OCAA also engages in a plethora of other activities within the Ministry of the Attorney General and the broader legal community to promote and protect the interests of our membership in the short, medium and long-term. A full contemplation of the activities of the OCAA is set out in the President's Annual Report.

The current activities of the OCAA are directly connected to the "Purposes and Objects" set out in our Constitution and By-laws which reads as follows:

Purposes And Objects

5.1 The Corporation seeks to promote the continuing education and training of Crown Attorneys, Assistant Crown Attorneys and Crown Law Officers.

5.2 The Corporation further seeks to promote better relations between its members and the employer including the regulation of employment relations, compensation and benefits and to undertake collective bargaining on behalf of eligible lawyers.

5.3 The objects of the Corporation as included in the Letters Patent of the 2nd day of March, 1989, are:
   (a) To promote the professional interests of its members.
   (b) To discuss and study the administration of criminal justice in Ontario and elsewhere.
   (c) To discuss and study all matters related to the status, roles and duties of Crown Attorneys, Assistant Crown Attorneys, Crown Law Officers and others involved in prosecutorial functions.
   (d) To promote and encourage any and all efforts extended toward the just and efficient enforcement of the law including the public perception of same.
   (e) To promote better relations between its members and the employer.
   (f) To make recommendations or engage in undertakings or activities consistent with any of the above purposes in whatever form is deemed appropriate.
   (g) To solicit and receive funds for Association purposes including donations, gifts, legacies and bequests.
   (h) To do all other things incidental or conducive to the attainment of any of the stated purposes and exercise of the powers of the Association.