Embrace the winter season at Barrie Winterfest this weekend! 
Celebrate one of Ontario’s top winter festivals with two full days of seasonal fun at Centennial Park, downtown Barrie, and other venues across the city. Enjoy outdoor entertainment, activities, and watch professional ice sculptors create stunning works of art with this year’s theme: Tropical Beach.
Programming runs this Saturday, February 7, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, February 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Top off your Winterfest adventure with a visit to one of downtown Barrie’s many restaurants and cafés. For the full schedule of events, activities, and programs happening during Winterfest weekend, visit barrie.ca/Winterfest.
City marks new record for Significant Weather Event 
The City of Barrie has marked its longest continuous Significant Weather Event—lasting over one month—since it was first declared on December 28, 2025. Crews continue to restore winter maintenance standards across the city and are working around the clock in frigid conditions to ensure roads are plowed and safe for residents. Barrie has received well over 9 feet of snow since November 1, 2025! The City thanks residents for their continued patience as crews work to complete the cleanup. For updates on winter maintenance and to learn more, visit barrie.ca/snow.
February is Black History Month 
Black History Month events bring awareness to the impact and significant contributions that Black Canadians have brought to the cultural landscape of our country and community. We are proud to support Black History Month initiatives and programming taking place in the community throughout the month of February. For more information visit barrie.ca/BlackHistoryMonth.
Looking for a Family Doctor or Nurse Practitioner?
Residents in Barrie and surrounding areas who do not have a primary care provider are encouraged to register with Health Care Connect. With new family doctors and nurse practitioners now accepting patients locally, registering ensures your information is up to date and ready to be matched when spots become available. Health Care Connect is free, simple to use, and the fastest way to get attached to primary care in our community. Learn more or register today at baoht.ca/hcc.
Public invited to share feedback on Bayfield Street Community Design Plan
The City is seeking public input on a Community Design Plan (CDP) to guide the transformation of Bayfield Street and surrounding areas into vibrant, mixed-use neighbourhoods. The Bayfield CDP will set out a shared community vision and development framework to guide the anticipated growth and redevelopment along Bayfield Street, from Sophia Street to the northern City limit.
Share your feedback:
Community Vision Workshop: The public is invited to drop in from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at East Bayfield Community Centre (80 Livingstone St. E).
Online Survey: Open until February 26, 2026, and available at BuildingBarrie.ca/BayfieldCDP.
City staff will also be promoting and answering questions about the project at Winterfest in Centennial Park on Saturday, February 7, from 12 to 2 p.m.
For more information on the project and the consultation opportunities, visit BuildingBarrie.ca/BayfieldCDP.
Apply now! Barrie Fire Ignite! Fire Academy 
Calling all future female firefighters! Apply now to join the Ignite! Barrie Fire Academy from May 29–31. This FREE, 3-day, hands-on experience gives young women aged 14 to 18 an inside look at careers in the fire service featuring a wide range of roles, including firefighting, emergency response, communications, fire prevention, and fire investigations. Apply by March 27 so you don’t miss this exciting opportunity!
Visit barrie.ca/IgniteFireAcademy.
Reminder: Property tax bill due dates 
Interim 2026 tax bill installment due dates are February 27 and April 30, 2026. Interim tax bills are issued each January. All payments must be received by the City on or before the due date to avoid late payment fees of 1.25% per month. If your taxes are paid through a mortgage company or a pre-authorized payment plan, you will not receive an interim tax bill. Simplify your payments—join the Pre-Authorized Payment Plan and never worry about missing a due date!
Visit barrie.ca/PropertyTaxes for more information.
Use MyRide to help plan your Barrie Transit trip 
With MyRideBarrie.ca, you can look up real-time bus times, trip planning tools, route maps, and see detours and news. MyRide helps you plan your trip for an easier transit experience! Learn more at MyRideBarrie.ca.
Presented by The City of Barrie
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of The City of Barrie and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of iPolitics.
