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On March 26, the Ontario government announced it would eliminate HST on new homes for all buyers, a measure aimed at accelerating construction and improving affordability.

The change means buyers would no longer pay the 13 per cent tax on newly built homes, potentially saving tens of thousands of dollars depending on the purchase price.

Nuttall said the HST removal could have a significant impact on the local real estate market.

“That’s going to have an immense impact on the market,” he said.

“If you think about the cost of housing – if it’s a million-dollar home, which is many single-family homes in the City of Barrie today, that is a 13 per cent, $130,000 saving on the cost of the home.”

Nuttall said the change could be particularly meaningful for first-time buyers and younger residents who have struggled to enter the housing market.

“We have a real problem with the ability for young people being able to purchase that first home – rent can be too high to save, and the cost of home is too high,” he said.

He pointed to a hypothetical starter home priced at $600,000. With the HST removed, the cost could drop by roughly $70,000, bringing the price closer to $530,000, assuming savings are passed on to buyers.

“It’s a large amount – it’s a game-changer for an industry that’s kind of on hold,” he said.

“That $600,000 home becomes $530,000 — this can make quite a difference here in Barrie, seeing how so many new homes are being built right now and more are coming in the not-too-distant future.”

Beyond affordability, Nuttall said the policy could also help revive a slowing construction sector.

“Right now, I think the housing market is basically shut down,” he said.

“We’re not seeing any construction take place. It’s hitting the trades – the impact is widespread.”

He said fewer housing starts affect not only buyers but also workers in construction and related industries.

“This is as much about jobs at this point as it is about housing itself,” he said.

“If all of a sudden there’s no work because the construction industry is shut down, that’s a real negative.”

The mayor added the City of Barrie is considering complementary measures, including potential adjustments to development charges, to further support housing construction.

“You’ll see more houses under construction and ultimately we’re going to see more people end up in homes that they’re able to afford,” he said.

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According to a study conducted by Toronto-based digital marketing agency dNOVO Group, Barrie placed second nationally, just behind Kelowna, BC. Factors used to determine the rankings included average rent, personal safety, local attractions, livability and financial steadiness.

Mayor Alex Nuttall said he was thrilled when he heard Barrie was ranked so high.

“I’m pleased to see Barrie recognized as one of the top cities to live in Canada,” he said.

“This distinction reflects the hard work of our city staff, local businesses, and residents who keep our community strong and welcoming. From maintaining our neighborhoods and waterfront to supporting local economic growth, everyone’s effort contributes to making Barrie a great place to live, work, and raise a family.”

Kathleen Trainor, executive director of Tourism Barrie, said she wasn’t surprised Barrie ranked so high.

“I’m not surprised at all that Barrie was named the second-best place to live in Canada,” she said.

“It’s a recognition that reflects what residents and visitors already know, Barrie offers an exceptional quality of life.”

Trainor said there are several key factors that set Barrie apart from other Canadian cities.

“What truly sets Barrie apart is its four-season lifestyle and access to outdoor recreation,” she said.

“In the winter, residents enjoy skiing, snowboarding, tubing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing. Warmer months bring boating, beaches, waterfront activities, and an extensive trail network, while the fall offers stunning natural beauty with vibrant colours throughout the city. Barrie is also a place where people can truly live, work, and play.”

Coun. Sergio Morales, who grew up in Barrie, said the ranking reflects the city’s long-term appeal.

“There’s a reason why it’s so common for people who grew up in Barrie to come back and spend decades more living here,” he said.

“Barrie has an unmatched balance of big city amenities, small city charm, and ecosystem amenities that in my opinion, the only cities that come close to us are Guelph and Kingston. The institutional investments City Council has been making into roads, bridges, our upcoming rec centre, and into attainable housing policy will only make the case for Barrie’s great liveability, even stronger.”

Other cities ranking behind Barrie include Abbotsford, Sherbrooke, Sudbury, Burlington, Oshawa, Oakville and Windsor.

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The province is providing up to $26,559,000 in assistance through its Municipal Ice Storm Assistance program. Barrie is eligible for up to $26,194,000 in provincial assistance, while Innisfil will receive $365,000. The amounts reflect eligible costs after cost-sharing.
The funding is part of a $90-million initiative launched to support municipalities affected by the storm.

In a media release, Barrie–Springwater–Oro-Medonte MPP Doug Downey said the funding will help address the significant impacts the ice storm left on Barrie.

“The City of Barrie faced some of the most significant impacts from the 2025 ice storm,” he said.

“This funding will help support the cost of the cleanup efforts and ensure that Barrie is able to rebuild stronger than ever.”

Barrie–Innisfil MPP Andrea Khanjin said the funding will support recovery efforts in Innisfil.

“The impact of the ice storm was experienced by the Town of Innisfil community members first hand, as families faced power outages, damaged property and infrastructure, and disrupted daily life,” she said.

“This investment indicates our government’s commitment to providing storm recovery resources, building necessary reinforcements, and ensuring resilience and emergency preparedness.”

The storm caused widespread damage across central and eastern Ontario, knocking out power to nearly 400,000 homes and businesses. In Barrie and Innisfil, it led to major tree and property damage, downed hydro lines, prolonged outages, service disruptions and pressure on infrastructure.

Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall thanked the province for the support, stating the funding will help cover cleanup costs, restore infrastructure, and support recovery efforts following the storm.

“This support will be critical in helping our city cover cleanup costs, restore infrastructure, and ensure that Barrie can rebuild stronger,” he said.

He also thanked those who responded to the storm.

“I also want to recognize and thank everyone who has worked tirelessly in response to this severe weather event — our city staff, first responders, and community partners who stepped up to support residents through challenging circumstances. Your dedication and commitment have made a real difference,” he said.

Innisfil Deputy Mayor Kenneth Fowler echoed Nuttall’s comments, saying the funding will make a difference.

“The provincial government’s funding provides significant financial relief to the town, and therefore the taxpayers who have been impacted by this exceptionally severe storm,” he said.

“Beyond the monetary cost, it took its toll in ways that will be felt for years to come.”

The Ontario government introduced municipal and business ice storm assistance programs in June 2025 to help affected communities recover.

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The increase leaves Barrie with the fourth-highest unemployment rate among Canadian cities. Higher rates were reported in Belleville-Quinte West at 9.9 per cent, London at 8.8 per cent and Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo at 8.6 per cent.

The national unemployment rate is 6.7 per cent, while Ontario sits at 7.6 per cent.

Statistics Canada notes that labour force estimates in mid-sized cities can fluctuate month to month due to smaller sample sizes. However, Barrie’s rate has remained elevated compared to provincial and national levels.

Mayor Alex Nuttall told Compass News the city has been taking steps to expand employment opportunities.

“For too long, too many people have had to leave Barrie each morning to find work elsewhere — I’ve been clear since day one that Barrie needs more good-paying jobs right here at home,” he said.

Nuttall said recently annexed lands from the townships of Springwater and Oro-Medonte are key to attracting new industry.

“I pushed to unlock new employment lands and create real opportunities for investment and meaningful work,” he said.

“We are also fast-tracking new industrial lands in the northern part of the city. These lands will attract investment, create a wide range of employment opportunities, and give residents the chance to work close to where they live.”

Nuttall added that job creation alone will not address the issue.

“But creating jobs is only part of the solution. We’re also moving forward on new housing projects to get trades and construction workers back on the job,” he said.

“We are taking the steps needed to ensure our community grows and is a place where people can work, live and build their future.”

Statistics Canada also notes that rapid population growth can put added pressure on local job markets when employment growth does not keep pace.

New industrial projects are expected to bring additional jobs to the city.

Sherwin-Williams is set to open a 350,000-square-foot distribution centre at 545 Dunlop St. W later this year.

In early March, Deputy Mayor Robert Thomson told Compass News the project is expected to create upwards of 200 jobs.

Construction is also underway on a 103,000-square-foot UPS facility at 90 Salem Rd., with operations targeted to begin in fall 2026.

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No residents attended — either in person or online — the March 11 meeting at Barrie City  Hall regarding projects proposed by Barbay Holdings Inc. for 580 and 582 Bayfield St.  and 49 Hanmer St. W. 

The proposal for 580 and 582 Bayfield St. includes a 12-storey residential building, 12 townhomes and three towers ranging from 15 to 20 storeys, along with ground-floor commercial space. 

The development proposed for 49 Hanmer St. W. includes 30 townhomes, a 10-storey residential building and a 20-storey mixed-use building. 

Together, the projects would add nearly 1,300 residential units. 

Nick Skerratt and John Albert, of Innovative Planning Solutions, presented an overview of the proposals and outlined key details. 

Coun. Amy Courser, who represents the area, said she sees both positives and concerns with the projects.

“There’s some good, some bad” she said. 

She raised several questions, including questions on affordable housing and privacy. Addressing affordability, Skerratt said units meeting city policies would be included. 

“We’ve provided for obtainable housing on the development, and we will be adhering to  city policies reflecting affordable housing for this development,” he said. 

“Typically, attainable units that we define as smaller, maybe single bedroom — single  bedroom, plus den, lower marketability units. Those could be marketed as more obtainable than say a three-bedroom or maybe the rear townhouse units that are  separate.” 

Courser also asked about traffic impacts along the Bayfield and Hanmer corridor. Michelle Banfield, the city’s executive director of development services, said further study is required. 

“At a preliminary review, our traffic services team has suggested that the TIS (traffic impact study) needs to be augmented a little bit,” she said. 

“That would include updated assessments to confirm all the development that’s happening in the area. There most likely will be an update required to that traffic impact statement.” 

A neighbourhood meeting was held in July 2025, giving nearby residents an opportunity to share feedback on the proposals. 

The area includes an existing 10-storey residential building at 30 Hanmer St. W., adjacent to the Bayfield Street site. 

The Bayfield Street corridor is expected to see additional redevelopment proposals as city planners explore ways to create a more vibrant, mixed-use area. 

The applications will now be reviewed by city planning staff. 

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City planners are developing a new framework known as a community planning permit system (CPPS) that would guide how future buildings are designed and approved in the area. The  system is part of Barrie’s Housing Accelerator Fund commitments and is intended to streamline development approvals by combining zoning, site plan control and minor variance processes into a single application reviewed within 45 days. 

The Allandale neighbourhood has drawn growing development interest because of its proximity to Kempenfelt Bay, the Allandale Waterfront GO Station, the new Barrie Allandale Transit Terminal and downtown Barrie. 

Under the proposed system, the city would establish clear standards for permitted land uses, building heights, setbacks and density. In some cases, additional height or density could be permitted if developments provide community benefits such as affordable housing, public art or enhanced open space. 

During a public meeting at Barrie City Hall on March 11, residents were invited to share their views on the proposed planning tool. 

Resident Bob Lehman, who spoke on behalf of the Allandale Neighbourhood Association, said he and other members generally support the concept.

“I think the city’s approach is a good one,” he said. 

“We’ve identified a number of issues, and we hope to work through those with staff and all of this in the context of the city bringing in a new planning process.” 

He said other municipalities have had success with the same approach. 

“Other municipalities have been very successful in using this process,” he said. 

“It doesn’t shorten the time period — it has a 45-day window before you can appeal, but it doesn’t really shorten the time period because all the work is done in advance.” 

Arnie Irvins said he supports the CPPS approach but believes the proposed study area should be expanded to include more of the historic community. 

“What we would like to do is to expand it — we think this is a great idea,” he said. 

“We’re very pleased with many propositions here — the core of Allandale we want to keep historical.” 

Irvins also raised concerns about potential building heights in the neighbourhood. “We want height restrictions for this area,” he said. 

“Reducing it from 25 (stories) to something that’s more manageable and perhaps more  reasonable. We’re not against housing — we also don’t want to see 12-story buildings in an older established neighbourhood.” 

In a promotional video shown during the meeting, Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall said the city is trying to accelerate housing construction while respecting neighbourhood identity. 

“We want to accelerate housing delivery. It’s about striking the right balance, preserving neighbourhood character while creating room for homes and spaces our growing city needs,” he said in the video. 

The CPPS is being developed through a phased process, with Allandale being studied first before the city examines the downtown corridor in a future phase.  

If approved, the new system would replace the traditional zoning and site plan approval processes in the designated area, providing clearer direction for developers and residents on what types of projects can be built. 

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Directed by Mayor Alex Nuttall, the initiative is intended to give city staff greater flexibility to plan for future growth while keeping residents’ health-care needs at the forefront. 

The proposed zoning changes would permit uses currently restricted under existing rules,  including residential and mixed-use development, as well as expansions that support hospital operations and related services. 

Nuttall told Compass News the city will take what he described as a practical, people-focused approach to the rezoning. 

“Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre raised timing considerations that required attention,” he said. 

“By working together in good faith, we were able to find a practical way forward that keeps  residents at the centre of the decision. At the end of the day, this is about people — families, seniors, and workers who rely on timely, reliable care close to home.” 

He said ensuring access to health care as the city grows remains a priority. 

“Our focus is ensuring residents have access to health care for all their personal health care needs, both now and as our community continues to grow,” he said. 

“Cutting red tape and aligning processes helps remove delays and keeps critical services  moving forward for those who depend on them most.” 

The affected properties include 201 and 348 Georgian Dr., 366 and 384 Penetanguishene Rd., 135 and 145 Dunsmore Ln., 31 Quarry Ridge Rd., and 15 Gallie Crt. The lands include both former Springwater Township properties and parcels within Barrie’s municipal boundary. 

Recently, officials with RVH purchased nearly 27 hectares of land near Georgian Drive and  Penetanguishene Road to accommodate up to 1,000 parking spaces. 

City officials say the rezoning supports a broader vision tied to the Strategic Employment and Economic District designation in Barrie’s official plan, aimed at encouraging employment, health care and mixed-use development in key areas of the city. 

Officials say the changes are intended to help the hospital and surrounding lands expand more efficiently while supporting timely and reliable services for a growing community.

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