Business Archives - CompassNews

Lakehead STEM hubs move closer to completion in downtown Barrie

Stephen J. Donkers — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:50:13 +0000

Progress continues on Lakehead University’s future STEM hubs in downtown Barrie.

The City of Barrie says interior construction at the 24 Maple Ave. site is nearing completion, while work at 5 Ross St. is advancing steadily.

At Maple Avenue, interior construction is reaching completion, with millwork, vestibule framing and window installations in progress. Mechanical and electrical systems are being commissioned, while lab equipment and furniture continue to arrive ahead of the hub’s opening. The city says exterior work should continue through the summer.

Whereas on Ross Street, demolition work is complete and framing for new classroom entrances and interior partitions is nearly finished. Mechanical and electrical rough-ins continue as crews carry out additional installation and coordination work throughout the building.

In April, Mayor Alex Nuttall toured the locations and talked about the progress so far.

“This isn’t just about a university improving the private sector, improving the way the government and education and business work together,” he said. “It’s also about our young people having access to education in an affordable way and one that’s going to put them onto that path of hope and opportunity.”

In late 2024, the City of Barrie and Lakehead University announced plans to establish a STEM hub in the former Barrie Transit Terminal at 24 Maple Ave. This past winter, they officially added a second hub location at 5 Ross St. to their plans.

The Maple Avenue hub will house specialized teaching and research labs focused on robotics, motors, instrumentation, machines and mechatronics. The Ross Street hub will feature flexible classrooms, collaborative learning spaces, student services, social areas and graduate student offices.

The two hubs are slated to open this fall and will accommodate more than 700 students over their first five years.

The post Lakehead STEM hubs move closer to completion in downtown Barrie appeared first on CompassNews.

Nuttall says Barrie is ready to become a defence manufacturing hub

Stephen J. Donkers — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:01:25 +0000

Defence manufacturing could become Barrie’s next economic frontier.

Mayor Alex Nuttall says Barrie is positioning itself to become a hub for defence and advanced manufacturing as both federal and provincial governments increase military and security spending.

Speaking at the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries’ CANSEC trade show in Ottawa, Nuttall announced that the city is moving ahead with measures aimed at attracting defence-sector investment and accelerating development opportunities.

The conference brings together leaders in the defence, aerospace, security and advanced manufacturing sectors. Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli and Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe also attended the announcement.

Nuttall’s recent ideas include proposed zoning changes to accommodate defence-related industries, financial incentives through the city’s Employment Development Community Improvement Plan and a new concierge model intended to speed up development approvals.

With $50 million earmarked for incentives, Nuttall said Barrie is well-positioned for industrial growth.

“Barrie’s geography is matched by capability – Barrie is the easy button for companies looking to invest, to expand and to grow,” he said.

Nuttall highlighted the city’s proximity to Canadian Forces Base Borden in neighbouring Essa Township, available employment lands and investments in post-secondary education as key advantages in attracting new industry.

“We offer shovel-ready, serviced employment lands and a single point of contact through our CAO,” he said. “Our focus is to make Barrie a greater security hub and make it easier for companies in Barrie to expand, grow and, more importantly, facilitate readiness for action.”

Nuttall noted that Barrie has invested in engineering, as well as skilled trades training through Georgian College and Lakehead University to help build a workforce for the defence and advanced manufacturing sectors.

The city also announced a $2.5-million investment over two years to support defence-focused education programs at Georgian College’s Barrie campus.

Ford said Ontario is preparing to capitalize on rising defence spending amid global instability and growing economic protectionism.

“We need to step up to defend ourselves, protect our workers and our businesses, and to pull our weight in the global alliances that keep us secure,” he said.

“We’re protecting Ontario from economic uncertainty driven by tariffs and protectionism. We’re protecting Ontario from the threats to our national and global security.”

The province said the proposed 10-year strategy could create as many as 43,000 jobs, add $6 billion annually to Ontario’s economy and generate more than $400 million in yearly provincial tax revenue by 2035.

According to the province, Ontario’s defence sector currently comprises more than 300 companies employing over 13,000 workers and contributing upwards of $5 billion annually to the economy.

The post Nuttall says Barrie is ready to become a defence manufacturing hub appeared first on CompassNews.

Barrie pushes future job growth as unemployment rate rises

Stephen J. Donkers — Wed, 27 May 2026 22:34:15 +0000

Unemployment may be high now, but city leaders are hoping future job growth will bring that number down.

Barrie was tied for the highest unemployment rate among major Canadian cities in April, according to new labour force data released by Statistics Canada.

The city’s unemployment rate climbed to 9.2 per cent in April, up from 8.5 per cent in March. Barrie recorded an estimated 13,200 unemployed residents, while overall employment dipped slightly.

Across Canada, the unemployment rate rose to 6.9 per cent in April, as more people searched for work.

Despite the latest numbers, Mayor Alex Nuttall expressed optimism, saying the city is positioning itself for long-term employment growth through new industrial and employment lands.

“We’ve been clear from day one that Barrie needs jobs. For too long, too many residents have been stuck on the highway commuting to work,” he said.

On Jan. 1, 2026, Barrie officially annexed 1,216 hectares from Springwater Township and 457 hectares from Oro-Medonte Township, for a total of 1,673 hectares.

In December 2025, the provincial government passed Bill 76, the Barrie–Oro-Medonte– Springwater Boundary Adjustment Act, 2025.

The city intends for the new lands to help accommodate as many as 8,000 new homes while also unlocking new infrastructure and employment lands.

“Through Bill 76, the city has new employment lands that will be transformational for Barrie’s future, and I want to thank Premier Doug Ford and the provincial government for recognizing the importance of creating jobs in growing communities like ours,” Nuttall said.

Nuttall added that he expects the lands to make the city more attractive to business in the coming years.

“These lands will help attract major employers, industrial investment, and thousands of new jobs to Barrie,” he said.

“Council has pushed hard to ensure we are ready to compete for investment, because when companies are looking to expand, we want them choosing Barrie. This is about creating opportunity – better jobs, shorter commutes and a stronger local economy where residents can live and work right here in the City of Barrie.”

Other Ontario cities posting high unemployment rates included London, Windsor, Oshawa and Toronto.

The post Barrie pushes future job growth as unemployment rate rises appeared first on CompassNews.

More affordable housing planned for Barrie

Stephen J. Donkers — Mon, 25 May 2026 17:25:48 +0000

Another 69 affordable housing units are coming to Barrie.

Mayor Alex Nuttall announced on May 21 that two new apartment rental developments will bring a total of 341 rental units to the city.

A 12-storey apartment building at 53 Coulter St. will mean 188 units, including 38 affordable units. Another development – an eight-storey apartment building at 375 Yonge St. – will add 153 units, including 31 affordable units.

Nuttall, who made the announcement at the Coulter Street site, said improving housing affordability remains a top priority for the city.

“Across our community and across the province, we continue to hear from residents who are struggling to find housing that fits their budget,” he said.

“That’s why we’re increasing supply and improving affordability, and it remains one of the city’s top priorities.”

Nuttall said council will continue working to bring more affordable housing options to Barrie.

“Our focus remains on ensuring we’re building the housing people need in the places where growth is already happening, while maintaining the viability required to actually deliver these projects,” he said.

“At the end of the day, it’s about results. More housing means more affordability and steady progress toward a stronger, more affordable Barrie.”

The projects are part of Barrie’s development charge waiver program, which temporarily reduces fees for developers building affordable housing. The program began earlier this year and applications close this spring.

Sam Di Pasquale of YYZed Project Management, which is overseeing the developments, praised the city’s approach.

“The city has taken a practical, solutions-focused approach that helps keep projects moving instead of getting stalled in process,” he said.

“In today’s environment, that collaboration matters.”

Earlier in May, the city announced another affordable housing project in Barrie’s north end at 52 Lakeside Ter. The 12-storey apartment building will include 185 market-rent units and 46 affordable units.

The post More affordable housing planned for Barrie appeared first on CompassNews.

Barrie residents to help shape the future of Centennial Park

Stephen J. Donkers — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 20:54:22 +0000

Dance, dine and play.

That’s the vision city staff have for the future of Centennial Park along Lakeshore Drive, with feedback from residents set to help shape final plans. The goal is to reinvent the park as an accessible destination that supports everyday use while accommodating events and boosting local economic activity.

The Centennial Park Food and Activity Hub proposal includes new food and dining areas, gathering spaces and family-friendly activities. They are organized into three zones: dance, dine and play.

Two concepts have been presented. Market Grove is an open-air, tree-lined space featuring rotating food trucks and seasonal vendor stalls. Lakeside Pavilion is a permanent waterfront hub designed for year-round dining, events and community gatherings in a pedestrian-focused setting.

Residents were invited to provide feedback through an online survey and a series of pop-up events. On Saturday, April 25, Jordan Lambie, senior urban design planner for the City of Barrie, spoke with residents at a pop-up held during the Barrie Farmers’ Market at City Hall. He said feedback has been largely positive, with some concerns raised about the park’s future.

“We’ve heard lots of interesting ideas and some issues,” he said.

“Parking was obviously a big one for residents. We’re looking at ways to maximize available parking without making significant changes. There is also general excitement about having more food options on the waterfront.”

Lambie said the city is focused on making better use of waterfront spaces.

“It’s a city priority to look at how we can more efficiently and effectively use the spaces at Centennial Park to benefit residents, businesses and visitors,” he said.

The project builds on the city’s 2023 waterfront strategy. If approved, detailed design and construction could begin as early as 2027.

The post Barrie residents to help shape the future of Centennial Park appeared first on CompassNews.

New affordable housing planned for Barrie’s north end

Stephen J. Donkers — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 20:38:39 +0000

More affordable housing is coming to Barrie’s north end.

Mayor Alex Nuttall, Coun. Ann-Marie Kungl, Coun. Nigussie Nigussie, JD Development Group officials and other dignitaries gathered at 52 Lakeside Terrace on to announce that 46 affordable housing units will be included in a new 12-storey rental building. The development will also feature 185 market-rent units, for a total of 231 apartments near Little Lake.

Construction on the development has officially begun.

Nuttall said the project is part of the city’s broader push to expand housing supply amid rising demand, noting more than 775 affordable units have been approved in Barrie over the past 24 months.

He also pointed out that the affordable units are reserved for existing Barrie residents.

“These affordable units are not just for anybody,” Nuttall said.

“If somebody’s in Toronto and they’re looking for an affordable housing unit, they will not qualify for this. These units have to be for existing Barrie residents, and that is part of the agreement between developers and the City of Barrie.”

JD Development Group CEO Julia Zhang said the project marks an important move for the city’s housing needs.

“This is a very meaningful step forward,” she said.

“We are proud to help bring more rental housing to Barrie and support the city’s continued growth.”

The project is supported through Barrie’s $80-million development charge incentive fund, introduced in 2025 to encourage affordable housing by reducing fees typically paid by developers for growth-related infrastructure.

The program applies to residential buildings of five storeys or more that commit at least 20 per cent of units as affordable housing, with construction required to begin by the end of May 2026.

The post New affordable housing planned for Barrie’s north end appeared first on CompassNews.

Barrie grants $4.5M toward new Tollendale Village retirement development in Innisfil

Stephen J. Donkers — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 20:21:25 +0000

A new retirement community development in Innisfil is getting a boost from the City of Barrie, which is providing a $4.5-million grant to support the project.

Speaking to a large group of seniors at Tollendale Village in Barrie’s south-east end, Mayor Alex Nuttall and Barrie–Innisfil MPP Andrea Khanjin announced grant funding for a second Tollendale Village campus, which will be located at 1870 Big Bay Point Rd. in Innisfil.

The partnership between the city and Tollendale Village will extend municipal servicing for the second campus. According to a media release, the city’s investment is intended to support the expansion of seniors housing options as the local senior population continues to grow.

The investment is also designed to spur development by providing necessary infrastructure servicing.

The second Tollendale Village campus was first announced in July 2019, with a Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) approved by the Ontario government. The campus is planned for a 32-acre site and, once complete, will include more than 580 residential units.

Nuttall, who used his provincially permitted strong mayor powers to greenlight the grant, said the goal is to ensure seniors can continue living close to their families.

“Our focus is simple – making sure Barrie residents can stay in the community they’ve built their lives in,” he said.

“This is about keeping seniors close to their families, close to care, and close to home. By moving forward with servicing for Tollendale’s second campus, we’re taking a practical step to deliver the kind of housing our residents need.”

Khanjin, who serves as Ontario’s minister of Red Tape Reduction, said Tollendale is a special place for her and noted she admires the strong community spirit built at the retirement complex.

“Affordable seniors housing is a priority for our government – Tollendale is very near and dear to my heart,” she said.

“To see the incredible community you’ve all developed here – you can do carpentry, play games – this is really a place of social cohesion and a sense of belonging.”

In a media release, Ralph De Groot, chair of Tollendale Village, said the grant will allow the project to move forward with servicing and proceed to the next phase of development.

“Tollendale Village has been a trusted part of this community for years, and this next phase will allow us to build on that foundation,” he said.

“With the city stepping up to deliver servicing, we can move ahead with providing more housing options for seniors who want to remain at home in Barrie.”

No timeline for the start of construction has been released yet.

The post Barrie grants $4.5M toward new Tollendale Village retirement development in Innisfil appeared first on CompassNews.

Mayor’s Innovation Awards spotlight community leaders, businesses and organizations

Stephen J. Donkers — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 19:36:38 +0000

Innovative ideas and solutions were recognized at the 2025 Mayor’s Innovation Awards in Barrie.

The event took place at the Five Points Theatre in downtown after being postponed from November 2025 due to poor weather.

The awards recognize businesses, individuals and organizations whose creativity and drive are helping build a stronger community.

Award winners and runners-up are:

Pivot Point
Winner: Canadoor Garage Doors
Runners-up: Canadian Musicians Co-operative and Bektra Corp and Crave Arts Academy

Creative Collaboration
Winner: New Roots New Routes program, developed by the Sandbox Centre and the Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre
Runners-up: Barns2Beaches Music Tour; Botree Inc.’s Level-UpTM Growth Hub and The Vanguard Network

Research and Innovation Contribution
Winner: SEAN.CA
Runners-up: Trainers Choice and The Dirty Seahorse

Youth Innovator
Winner: Omid Latifi (Latifi Digital Strategies)
Runners-up: Zoe Bystrov, Youth for Lake Simcoe and Jasmine Kaur, Subal

Shift Disturber
Winner: Ryan Joyner (Victory Ridge Sports Distribution Inc.)
Runners-up: Shakir Barmare, Barrie Indian Association; Beyond Giving Inc. and Rejoice Photo; LifeVac Canada Inc.

Municipal Innovation
Winner: Biosolids pilot project – led by Infrastructure (City of Barrie)
Runners-up: AI chatbot on barrie.ca – led by IT, communications, Service Barrie and Barcode scanner project – led by finance, infrastructure, Barrie police

Mayor Alex Nuttall said the awards highlight the strength of innovation across the community.

“There is certainly a lot to celebrate in our city,” he said.

“Often, innovation isn’t a big, splashy, sexy thing. It’s something that happens internally, then grows – and it can change culture, it can change financials, it can change communities.”

In a later social media post, Nuttall said the ideas from nominees and winners contribute to a stronger community.

“We celebrated the incredible nominees and winners whose ideas and solutions are shaping a smarter, stronger community,” he stated.

The event is supported by sponsors including Adams Hamilton, Ain Whitehead LLP, Marquee Benefits Inc., Innovative Automation, reIGNITE Conference and the Sandbox Centre.

A panel of judges evaluated more than 80 nominations before selecting a shortlist of finalists. The 2026 Mayor’s Innovation Awards are scheduled for November 2026.

The post Mayor’s Innovation Awards spotlight community leaders, businesses and organizations appeared first on CompassNews.

Mayor tours progress on Lakehead STEM Hub in downtown Barrie

Stephen J. Donkers — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 19:34:20 +0000

Barrie is a step closer to establishing a permanent university presence, as renovations continue on the upcoming Lakehead University STEM Hub.

Mayor Alex Nuttall toured the progress at the main hub, located on the ground floor of 24 Maple Ave. in downtown Barrie. The Sandbox Centre, a regional innovation centre, occupies the second floor of the same building.

The Maple Avenue site will include specialized research and teaching labs, featuring advanced equipment for motors and robotics, machinery, instrumentation and mechatronics. The facility is intended to support applied learning and industry collaboration, particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.

A second STEM Hub is also planned at 5 Ross St., expanding the university’s footprint in the city’s downtown core. Both locations are scheduled to open in September and are expected to bring in hundreds of students.

Nuttall spoke to invited guests and officials during the tour, highlighting the broader impact of the project.

“This isn’t just about a university improving the private sector, improving the way the government and education and business work together,” he said.

“It’s also about our young people having access to education in an affordable way and one that’s going to put them onto that path of hope and opportunity.”

Nuttall added that he plans on championing the university as progress continues.

“I’ll be cheering this along because this September, we’re going to have hundreds of students in our downtown and that’s all thanks to Lakehead University and the vision they’ve put forward,” he said.

The STEM Hub initiative is part of a broader partnership between the university and the city, aimed at expanding post-secondary access. Officials first announced the Maple Avenue location in November 2024, followed by the Ross Street expansion earlier this year.

The post Mayor tours progress on Lakehead STEM Hub in downtown Barrie appeared first on CompassNews.

City unveils proposed plans for annex lands at open house public meeting

Stephen J. Donkers — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 19:32:44 +0000

City residents got a look at proposed plans for the new annex lands in Barrie’s north end.

The open house public meeting took place at Barrie City Hall, where city staff greeted residents who were able to provide feedback. Multiple maps and information boards were on display.

Maps highlighted planned areas for land-use designation, community structure, mobility network, right-of-way widths, greenspace, vulnerable areas, cultural city features and conservation authority areas.

Other information presented included a proposed Partridge Road–Highway 400 interchange and plans for the Little Lake lands to be used for conservation purposes only.

Craig Flegel lives in lands once part of Oro-Medonte Township and attended the open house. He said he wasn’t happy about the annexation but wanted to gather information.

“I wanted to see the plans, and as far as engineering goes – looking at sewers, water, pumping stations, stuff like that,” he said.

“They have shown different roadways that could potentially be built, as well as new neighbourhood zones.”

Springwater Township resident Bryan, who did not want to share his last name, owns land in part of the new city lands. He said he supports the city’s plan to build more industrial areas to attract employers.

“We should attract more industrial — we need more in Barrie,” he said.

“Manufacturing is what we need. We need people building and making parts, things like that.”

Coun. Clare Riepma also stopped by the open house. Riepma represents Ward 1, which became larger when the former Oro-Medonte annex land officially became part of the city.

Riepma said while he heard a mixed response from residents about the annexation, he remains optimistic the lands will be developed properly.

“Mixed feelings — I would say that there’s some of that, but I think that it has decreased over time,” he said.

“I think everybody’s kind of holding their breath to see what’s going to happen with the lands. I’m hoping that any development that goes on there is going to be terrific and that it’s got real character – that it will be just as livable and walkable as the ward is now.”

Logan Juffermans, growth management and program manager for the City of Barrie, is overseeing the growth plans for the new lands. He said he and city staff were glad to receive feedback from residents.

“We heard a lot of good feedback that definitely needs to be incorporated into the plan,” he said.

“The development community is interested in building quickly on this, and they’re happy with some of the timelines. Residents are also concerned with change in their area, and we respect and recognize that, and we have to be realistic that infrastructure takes time to build out.”

Barrie officially annexed 1,216 hectares from Springwater Township and 457 hectares from Oro-Medonte Township, which became part of the city on Jan. 1, 2026.

The post City unveils proposed plans for annex lands at open house public meeting appeared first on CompassNews.