As Barrie’s proposed boundary expansion moves closer to becoming reality, the mayors of neighbouring Springwater and Oro-Medonte are outlining their positions.
On Nov. 25, the provincial government introduced Bill 76 – the Barrie–Oro-Medonte–Springwater Boundary Adjustment Act, 2025. The bill received first reading, with second reading still to come. The bill will be debated, sent to committee for review, and return for third reading before a final vote. If passed, it would receive royal assent and become law.
The legislation proposes transferring 1,216 hectares from Springwater Township and 457 hectares from Oro-Medonte Township into Barrie.
Springwater Mayor Jennifer Coughlin told Compass News she wasn’t surprised the province supported the proposal.
“This wasn’t shocking at all,” she said.
“We’ve known for some time that once the province appointed a facilitator to guide the process, there was a clear end goal. The Ontario government gave us the opportunity to reach a local solution — and Springwater was able to do that with Barrie.”
The province set a Sept. 30 deadline for Barrie, Oro-Medonte and Springwater to reach a local framework agreement. A full three-way agreement was not achieved. Coughlin said the framework was intended to help all three municipalities benefit.
“It was about working towards making sure there is mutual respect and prosperity for Springwater, Barrie and Oro-Medonte,” she said.
“The fact is we’re neighbours, but we’re very different municipalities. Barrie is a growing city and the region’s largest economic driver, and it will continue to attract industry. Springwater is a smaller, more rural agricultural community. We were able to find a balance that allows each community to move forward in a positive way.”
Before the legislation was introduced, Springwater negotiated compensation of $22.93 million from Barrie, plus $850,000 over five years for economic development initiatives.
Coughlin said Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall has agreed to honour the package even though the provincial bill does not require it.
“Mayor Nuttall has said the city will likely offer Springwater the same compensation. It was unexpected, but very much appreciated,” she said.
“It shows the city wants to be a good neighbour to Springwater. We’re always stronger when we work together as neighbours and partners to build better communities.
In a statement, Oro-Medonte Mayor Randy Greenlaw said he is hopeful Queen’s Park will uphold the terms of the deal his council supported.
“The Township recognizes that full agreement among all participants in the facilitation process was not reached, which was required for the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to endorse the proposal. As a result, the Province of Ontario is now enacting legislation,” he said.
“Notwithstanding this development, the Township remains optimistic that the Province will honour the terms of the City of Barrie’s Boundary Adjustment Agreement, that was negotiated diligently and in good faith, and accepted and endorsed formally by Oro-Medonte Council on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, along with feedback provided by Oro-Medonte residents and businesses.”
While Oro-Medonte council supported the boundary adjustment, it attached several conditions for the city, including deferring decisions on employment lands until servicing studies are complete and requiring the annexed lands be used for community purposes — such as housing and institutional needs – rather than industrial development. These conditions were not met favourably by the city.
In a Nov. 25 media release, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing said Barrie faces a shortage of developable land within its existing boundaries. The city is projected to run out of residential land in the 2030s and employment land in the 2040s without expansion with a population of 298,000 by 2051.
