Affordability, homelessness, infrastructure spending and the future of Barrie’s downtown took centre stage as three mayoral candidates outlined their priorities during a debate at Grace United Church on Oct. 6.
Incumbent Mayor Alex Nuttall, realtor Tanya Saari and Russell Tighe participated in the question-and-answer session, co-hosted by the Barrie chapter of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP). Kay Sayer, another mayoral candidate who was invited, did not attend.
The candidates agreed on many of Barrie’s challenges but offered differing approaches to addressing them.
Homelessness, addiction and community safety featured prominently in the discussion.
Nuttall pointed to increased downtown policing and the HART Hub while calling for provincial action on mandatory addiction interventions.
“We need the province to move on mandatory interventions,” he said.
“I think when we put everything concentrated in one place, we end up with very difficult situations.”
Saari advocated for a housing-first approach, arguing that people leaving treatment need stable housing and wraparound supports. She questioned the effectiveness of clearing encampments without addressing where displaced residents would go.
“We should not have to choose between being compassionate and having a downtown where people feel safe. We need both,” she said.
“We also have to be honest about where we are right now – we clear an encampment, but where do the people go? We respond to an overdose but can that person actually get treatment if they’re ready for it.”
Tighe called for specialized outreach teams to support police and build relationships with people experiencing homelessness, addiction and mental health challenges. He praised Barrie police’s downtown efforts and supported connecting people in crisis with treatment.
The candidates also differed on the use of strong mayor powers.
Saari said she would prefer to work through council and use the powers sparingly, arguing that bypassing elected councillors risks weakening democracy.
“I personally don’t see myself using them,” she said.
“Strong mayor powers were, in my understanding, brought in to fast-track affordable housing. I think when we go beyond that, we’re using strong mayor powers for other things, and keeping people out of conversations, we’re losing the sense of democracy.”
Nuttall defended his first-term record, saying his decisions had received broad council support.
“Every single strong mayor use that I’ve done has had a majority of council support,” he said.
He added that he consults with councillors and provincial and federal representatives to advance initiatives.
Tighe said he would reserve the powers for public safety, stabilizing vulnerable residents and meeting legal obligations.
“I would use strong mayor powers to protect public safety, to stabile vulnerable residents, to ensure Barrie could meet all it’s legal obligations, but never to override democracy,” he said.
Nuttall defended his financial record, citing four consecutive years of zero per cent increases in the city’s operating tax rate. He also said 220 kilometres of roads had been addressed during his term.
Saari called for a budget review to identify savings and argued that major projects, including a proposed performing arts centre and recreation centre, should reflect what the city can afford.
Tighe proposed attracting more commercial and industrial investment to reduce reliance on residential property taxes, including higher development charges for large projects and maintaining or deferring charges for small businesses.
All three candidates supported innovative seniors’ co-housing models, with Saari also calling for faster zoning approvals.
Nuttall outlined goals of attracting upwards of 2,000 manufacturing jobs and getting 800 affordable housing units underway. Saari emphasized her goals of wanting to reduce homelessness, responsible spending and collaboration with residents, while Tighe focused on affordable housing, reducing unsheltered homelessness and expanding the commercial and industrial tax base.
Barrie residents will elect their next mayor, councillors and school board trustees on Oct. 26.
