2022–2026 term in review

Work underway
across Barrie

“Over the last term, we have been working to restore Barrie to the way we all expect it to be.”

Barrie Votes on October 26th. Explore the record behind today’s Barrie election issues, then see Alex’s commitments for 2026–2030.

Safer streets and support for recovery

Public Safety

  • StoppedPenetang Jail prisoner drop-offs in downtown Barrie.1
  • Declareda state of emergency to address encampments and enacted restrictions on encampments.2, 3, 4, 5
  • Investedin 44 new frontline police officers.6, 7, 8
  • Stoppedthe proposed injection site from proceeding in downtown Barrie.9, 10
  • Investedin addiction rehabilitation services through the HART Hub.11, 12
  • Continueddowntown cleanup and public-order work.2, 3, 4, 13

More homes for a growing city

Housing

  • Introduceda targeted development-charge waiver pilot in August 2025 and expanded it in June 2026 for buildings of five storeys or more. Current requirements secure at least 20% affordable units in qualifying rental buildings or 60% in qualifying ownership projects for 25 years.71
  • Supportedeight first-intake projects representing 1,117 homes, including 224 affordable units, with $35.6 million in waived development charges. These are projects moving forward through the program.71
  • PrioritizedBarrie residents for Barrie affordable housing, including young people and seniors.19
  • Delivereda record year for housing starts.20
  • Reducedresidential development charges by 50% through Council’s September 16, 2026 decision, applying to permits issued from March 30, 2026 through March 31, 2029. This broader reduction is separate from the targeted affordable-unit waivers.21, 22
  • Partneredwith Ontario and Canada, which announced up to $129.2 million on September 28, 2026 for Barrie’s wastewater infrastructure through the Development Charge Reduction Program, supporting capacity for more housing.21, 22
  • Leveragedseparate federal support of $25.7 million through the Housing Accelerator Fund, with funding allocated to the Housing Community Improvement Plan to increase housing supply with an emphasis on affordable housing.72

Recreation, libraries and the arts

Community Spaces

  • Startedconstruction of the new YMCA Community Centre in South Barrie.23, 24
  • Initiateddesign of the new South Barrie Recreation Centre and outdoor fields.25, 26
  • Advancedthe new Letitia Heights Library toward construction.27, 28
  • Advancedthe new Performing Arts Centre toward construction.26, 29

Completing projects and preparing for growth

Roads & Infrastructure

  • Focusedcity resources on fixing roads and completing road construction.30, 31
  • CompletedBryne Drive Phase 1.32, 33, 34
  • Completedreconstruction work on Duckworth, St. Vincent, Grove, Blake and Gunn streets, along with roads in Barrie’s south end.30
  • Investedin stormwater infrastructure to help prevent flooding.33
  • Advancedthe relocation of the Navy League and Cadets program to the Southshore.35, 36

Working across council and governments

Team Barrie

  • Builta team approach on Council focused on collaboration and shared priorities.37, 38, 39
  • Securedmore than $120 million for Barrie through work with federal and provincial governments.40, 41, 42
  • Workedwith the County of Simcoe to expand social and rehabilitation services in Barrie and Simcoe County.11, 43

Affordability and financial fundamentals

Municipal Finances

  • HeldCity operations increases to 0% for four consecutive years.44, 45, 46
  • Limitedcapital increases to 2% to support roads and infrastructure.46
  • Deliveredone of the lowest tax increases among Ontario’s 30 largest cities.
  • IncreasedCity reserves by 25%.47
  • ReducedCity debt by 25%.47
  • EarnedBarrie’s AAA credit rating following three consecutive rating increases.48
See Alex’s affordability record

Protecting green space and the waterfront

Environment

  • Createdthe Conservation Land Trust to protect green spaces.49, 50
  • Approvedthe planting of 1,000 new trees along Barrie’s waterfront.51
  • Secureda Pixie Drone to remove plastic waste from the lake.52
  • Createda policy requiring developers to replace trees removed in Barrie.51

Housing, programs and mobility

Seniors

  • Approvedmore than 2,000 new seniors’ housing units for construction.53
  • Fast-trackedapprovals for new seniors’ housing.54
  • Supportedfundraising for seniors’ programs with the Allandale and Parkview Seniors’ Centres.55
  • Workedwith Tollendale Village to create new affordable seniors’ units.56, 57
  • Waiveddevelopment charges on new affordable seniors’ housing.58
  • Addedanother free day of Barrie Transit for seniors.59

Spaces to learn, play and prepare for the future

Children & Youth

  • Createdan after-school program with both school boards, opening school gyms to children.60, 61, 62
  • Approvedtwo new recreation centres: the YMCA and South Barrie Recreation Centre.23, 25
  • BroughtLakehead University to Barrie through a new STEM Hub and engineering school.63, 64
  • Investedin Georgian College and its military training partnerships in Barrie.65

Growing employment closer to home

Economic Development & Jobs

  • Fast-trackedthe Big Bay Point industrial subdivision, now under construction.66
  • FacilitatedSherwin-Williams’ development of Barrie’s largest industrial building in 30 years.67, 68
  • DesignatedBarrie as a defence hub to attract jobs supporting members of the Canadian Armed Forces.69, 70

Sources

In the news

Access further details on what we’ve accomplished this term.

  1. CNCC prisoner drop-off coming to an end in BarrieBarrieToday · Jul. 19, 2023
  2. What does Barrie’s state of emergency mean?BarrieToday · Sept. 10, 2025
  3. “We’ve seen an increase in severity”: Barrie mayor discusses city-wide state of emergencyCTV News Barrie video · Sept. 9, 2025
  4. Mayor Nuttall declares a state of emergency to address encampmentsCompass News · Sept. 9, 2025
  5. Mayor of Barrie, Ont., declares state of emergency over homeless encampmentsQP Briefing · Sept. 10, 2025
  6. ‘Holds the line’: City council settles on 2.89% property tax hikeBarrieToday · Mar. 9, 2023
  7. Barrie mayor touts city progress as third year mark passesCompass News · Nov. 27, 2025
  8. More officers downtown pushes Barrie police budget north by $900KBarrieToday · Dec. 6, 2024
  9. Local health officials pull plug on Barrie’s SCS applicationBarrieToday · Jun. 24, 2024
  10. Waiting game continues for supervised consumption site in BarrieBarrieToday · Oct. 12, 2023
  11. New Barrie homeless and addiction treatment centre to serve Simcoe CountyCTV News Barrie · Jan. 28, 2025
  12. Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Hub coming to BarrieCompass News · Jan. 28, 2025
  13. Downtown engagement team logs more than 500 ‘events’ since launch: policeBarrieToday · Jul. 22, 2025
  14. Affordable rental housing development with more than 200 units coming to BarrieCTV News Barrie · Apr. 28, 2026
  15. Affordable housing units taking shape in north BarrieCTV News Barrie · Mar. 26, 2026
  16. Affordable housing announced for south BarrieCTV News Barrie · Aug. 27, 2025
  17. Barrie announces more affordable housing units for downtownCompass News · Jul. 18, 2026
  18. Simcoe County breaks ground on new affordable housing development in BarrieCompass News · Jun. 11, 2025
  19. From the basement to the terrace, more affordable units coming to BarrieBarrieToday · Apr. 28, 2026
  20. Barrie housing starts, new rental developmentsBarrie 360 · May 22, 2026
  21. Barrie reduces residential development charges by 50%City of Barrie · Sept. 28, 2026
  22. Canada and Ontario making homes more affordable in BarrieHousing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada · Sept. 28, 2026
  23. New YMCA facility breaks ground in south BarrieCTV News Barrie · Mar. 21, 2025
  24. Construction begins on new YMCA in southeast BarrieCompass News · March 2025
  25. Site unveiled for new recreation complex in south BarrieBarrieToday · Jun. 5, 2025
  26. New performing arts centre, rec facility on Council agendaBarrieToday · Jun. 18, 2025
  27. Barrie Public Library’s story continues to unfold with approval of new branchCTV News Barrie · Dec. 17, 2025
  28. City unveils first rendering of new Letitia Heights library branchCompass News · Jun. 19, 2026
  29. City unveils sign at future performing arts and convention centre siteCompass News · May 21, 2026
  30. Duckworth Street improvements, Grove Street water-main project completeBarrieToday · Aug. 26, 2025
  31. Mayor Nuttall announces millions being invested in road construction and infrastructure upgradesCompass News · Jul. 5, 2025
  32. Bryne Drive extension opens to driversBarrieToday · Sept. 27, 2024
  33. City of Barrie rolling ahead with Bryne Drive construction projectCTV News Barrie · Jan. 11, 2023
  34. Ribbon cut on Bryne Drive South extensionCompass News · Oct. 2, 2024
  35. Mayor sees zero motion on Council reconsidering sports fieldBarrieToday · Jun. 11, 2024
  36. New Barrie Sea Cadets waterfront facility breaks groundCompass News · May 21, 2026
  37. City of Barrie sets direction with four-year strategic prioritiesCTV News Barrie · Dec. 4, 2022
  38. Barrie council meeting ends on optimistic noteCTV News Barrie · Dec. 7, 2022
  39. Reshuffling of the deck could be coming to city committeesBarrieToday · Dec. 14, 2022
  40. Provincial funding paves the way for better roads in BarrieBarrieToday · Mar. 25, 2025
  41. Ford pops into Barrie, drops $6.34M into city coffers for housingBarrieToday · Mar. 15, 2024
  42. Barrie, City of — federal infrastructure allocationsCanada Community-Building Fund · Accessed Jul. 19, 2026
  43. Barrie, County hammer out new services agreementBarrieToday · Jun. 18, 2026
  44. Where are your City tax dollars going in 2025?BarrieToday · Dec. 12, 2024
  45. Barrie operating budget approved with zero increaseCTV News Barrie · Nov. 12, 2025
  46. Barrie council backs Mayor Nuttall’s 2026 budget with zero per cent tax increaseCompass News · Nov. 13, 2025
  47. Council closer to final budget numberBarrieToday · Jan. 23, 2025
  48. Barrie earns first-ever ‘AAA’ credit ratingCompass News · Oct. 21, 2025
  49. Conservation trust will help protect Barrie’s Little Lake areaBarrieToday · Apr. 22, 2025
  50. Barrie moves to protect green space with new conservation trust initiativeCompass News · Apr. 23, 2025
  51. Tree-replacement policy toughened by councillorsBarrieToday · Oct. 19, 2023
  52. Garbage-eating drone sets sail from Barrie MarinaBarrieToday · Sept. 26, 2024
  53. Barrie willing and able to take on stalled Springwater projects via annexationBarrieToday · Jul. 16, 2025
  54. Barrie councillors look to expedite approval of new long-term care facilityCTV News Barrie · Aug. 17, 2023
  55. Barrie seniors get pumped up with funding for local centresBarrieToday · Aug. 25, 2023
  56. Barrie paves way for Tollendale Village expansionCTV News Barrie · Apr. 21, 2026
  57. Barrie grants $4.5M toward new Tollendale Village retirement development in InnisfilCompass News · Apr. 24, 2026
  58. Affordable housing part of new development in south BarrieBarrie 360 · Aug. 27, 2025
  59. Barrie Council adds additional day of free transit for seniorsCTV News Barrie · May 4, 2023
  60. Mayor of Barrie reflects on first 100 days in officeGlobal News · Mar. 4, 2023
  61. ‘Vital to community wellness’: City of Barrie, public and Catholic school boards close in on facility-use agreementsSimcoe.com · Jun. 15, 2023
  62. Recreation access expanding in Barrie through growing use of public school facilitiesBarrie 360 · Jun. 21, 2026
  63. Lakehead University’s Barrie STEM Hub to open this fallCTV News Barrie · Jun. 4, 2026
  64. Lakehead STEM hubs move closer to completion in downtown BarrieCompass News · Jun. 3, 2026
  65. Georgian College and CFB Borden are joining forcesCTV News Barrie · Mar. 31, 2026
  66. Big Bay Point development in Barrie breaks groundGlobal News · May 10, 2023
  67. Sherwin-Williams paints big presence in Barrie with Dunlop Street facilityBarrieToday · Feb. 11, 2026
  68. Sherwin-Williams distribution centre coming to BarrieCompass News · Mar. 4, 2026
  69. Barrie ready to deliver on defence-industry manufacturing, says mayorBarrieToday · May 28, 2026
  70. Nuttall says Barrie is ready to become a defence manufacturing hubCompass News · Jun. 3, 2026
  71. Development Charge Waiver Pilot Program: requirements and first-intake resultsCity of Barrie · Current program details
  72. Housing Accelerator Fund and housing-incentive fundingCity of Barrie · March 2025

The work ahead

What comes next for Barrie?

Explore the 2026–2030 commitments