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S&P Global Ratings has reaffirmed Barrie’s AAA credit rating, maintaining the city’s standing at the highest level possible for a second consecutive year.

The rating reflects the city’s financial management, stable economic outlook and ability to balance infrastructure spending with long-term fiscal stability.

In October 2025, Barrie received the AAA credit rating for the first time. The rating agency said the city is managing growth while maintaining a strong financial position.

The rating allows Barrie to borrow money at lower interest rates, potentially reducing the cost of key infrastructure projects. The lower borrowing costs can help reduce the tax burden while funding major infrastructure projects needed for growth.

Barrie Chief Administrative Officer Michael Prowse said in a press release the city’s sound financial decisions have helped maintain its top credit rating.

“Barrie continues to be one of the few municipalities in the country to have the highest possible credit rating, thanks to continued work by our Mayor and Council,” he said.

“The City makes sound financial decisions, allowing us to maintain this strong credit reputation. Barrie is managing its budget while planning for future growth – this is supported by clear policies, a smart approach to capital planning, and skilled staff to help ensure the City’s debt and available funds are well managed.”

In a social media post, Mayor Alex Nuttall said the rating would help keep borrowing costs down for residents.

“What this means for Barrie families is that our borrowing costs are lower, which reduces the tax burden on the people of Barrie,” he said.

“I want to say thank you to all the incredible city public servants who helped make this possible, and to Barrie City Council for making sound and prudent financial decisions over the last number of years. We again see a stabilization of our credit rating, with support from S&P saying the City of Barrie is in the best financial shape it can be as a municipality.”

S&P cited Barrie’s diverse economy, population growth and proximity to the GTA as strengths, along with its growing professional services and manufacturing sectors.

The report noted the city has limited debt by funding major projects without significant borrowing, a trend expected to continue. Barrie’s 2026 boundary expansion into

Springwater and Oro-Medonte also increases land available for housing and employment.

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The funding through the Development Charge Reduction Program was announced Sept. 28 at a subdivision under construction in south Barrie.

Several dignitaries were at the announcement, including Mayor Alex Nuttall, local MPPs Doug Downey and Andrea Khanjin, Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack, Federal Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Jennifer McKelvie and several city councillors.

The funding follows Barrie’s commitment to cut residential development charges by 50 per cent, retroactive to March 30, 2026, through March 31, 2029. The reduction could save up to $62,223 per new home.

The $129.2 million will primarily fund wastewater-treatment upgrades to increase capacity and support future housing growth. The city estimates the measures could help unlock 23,364 new homes.

Nuttall said the development charge reduction will result in substantial savings for local homebuyers.

“It means that our development charges are going down. It means when you stack it on top of the HST amount that’s been already talked about here, we are talking about $150,000 in total savings,” he said.

The federal government said expanded GST/HST relief could save eligible new-home buyers up to $130,000, bringing potential combined savings with Barrie’s development charge reduction to $192,223.

The program is part of the $8.8-billion Canada-Ontario Partnership to Build, which funds housing- enabling infrastructure. Participating municipalities must maintain reduced development charges for at least three years and contribute at least 10 per cent of eligible project costs.

Khanjin said reducing costs for builders and increasing investment in communities are connected to the goal of creating complete communities.

“We heard loud and clear from people, from industry, from all walks of life because we know if we can put more money into the economy, everyone is better off,” she said.

“It helps support our communities, it helps support our service clubs, and ultimately helps us maintain the ultimate goal of complete communities.”

Flack said the program is intended to address housing affordability by creating conditions for more homes to be built.

“I think everyone can agree that Canada is facing an affordability challenge, an affordability crisis, if you like,” he said. “When we talk about homes, and new home starts, we talk about affordability.”

Downey said the funding demonstrates the importance of co-operation between governments.

“It is critical that we’re all moving together and that we’re working together,” he said. “To see three levels of government come together in the collective interest of our community is just absolutely fantastic.”

The $129.2 million remains conditional on further due diligence and required agreements between the governments and the city.

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October is fast approaching, and Thanksgiving is coming soon. I want to bring your attention to two Barrie CARP Chapter events and one event at Allandale Recreation Centre that I hope you will be interested in.

First, on the evening of Oct. 6, there will be a mayoral debate featuring the four candidates, listed alphabetically by surname: Alex Nuttall, Tanya Saari, Kay Sayer and Russell Tighe. Admission is free, and everyone is welcome.

The debate will be held at Grace United Church, 350 Grove St. E., from 7 to 9 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Five questions from different organizations will be put to the candidates to ensure a variety of important topics are covered. Hopefully, there will also be time at the end for audience members to ask their own questions.

Rogers TV will also be present to film the debate.

Music lovers might want to attend Concerts in Care Ontario, featuring the Trek Duo (violin and cello), on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 14, at Allandale Recreation Centre’s main hall at 1:30 p.m.

Thirdly, and very importantly, there is a Successful Aging Expo being held Thursday, Oct. 29, at Mapleview Church, 300 Mapleview Ave. W., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with nearly 60 booths.

There will also be presentations in the upstairs room covering interesting and relevant topics, such as seniors’ housing. Admission is free, and I believe organizers are expecting between 600 and 800 attendees. Hopefully, this will become an annual event.

BARRIE VOTES: Online and by phone voting takes place Oct. 16 to 26, which may be more convenient for some seniors. Please remember that new ward boundaries are now in effect.

To confirm your new ward, call 705-726-4242. You should have received a letter in September with your voting PIN. If you have not received your letter by Oct. 13, call 705-728-8683. If you wish to vote online, go to be.counted@barrie.ca. Please remember not to share your PIN with anyone.

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The 2021 census tells us that the population in Barrie at that time was 147,829, with those aged 55 and up at 43,205, just short of one-third of the population.

The baby boomer population, born between 1946 and 1964, is now mostly seniors, telling us the city of Barrie is now likely 30 per cent-plus seniors. This column will be devoted to reaching this demographic with news, events and happenings relevant to us.

We fight “ageism” much of the time, which is very frustrating, as many of us are vibrant, interesting members of the community, volunteering multiple hours per week in the community.

Some examples are:

• Mature Minds Program: Tailored specifically for older adults and retirees looking to give back.
• County of Simcoe Senior Services: Involves older adults in programs such as the Resident Ambassador initiative across locations like Georgian Village and Simcoe Village.
• VON Canada: Seeks volunteers for adult day programs and SMART exercise and fall prevention classes in Barrie.
• Hospice Simcoe: Provides flexible roles in client care, reception and community outreach.
• IOOF Seniors Homes Inc.: Offers placements in fundraising, friendly visits, craft shops and program assistance.
• Canadian Red Cross – Simcoe Muskoka: Frequently recruits volunteers for friendly visiting and senior support services.

Secondly, most seniors follow the news and we vote.

READ MORE: Dear Victoria: I think my parent needs more help. Where do I start?

I would encourage all eligible constituents to make the time and effort to vote, as turnout these last few years has been just over 40 per cent. That is a very dismal number, and it suggests we do not value our democracy and the rights we enjoy as Canadians.

I was happy to hear that the City of Barrie plans to allow us to vote by phone and online in the upcoming municipal elections, making it easier for some seniors and anyone with accessibility problems.

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READ MORE: Defence manufacturing could bring thousands of jobs to Barrie, says Nuttall

“The Trade Accelerator Program will provide training, market development resources, and expertise, giving our local business owners access to support to help them grow their companies, explore those new markets, and build long-term success,” he said.

The TICP was announced as part of Ontario’s nearly $30-billion tariff relief and support plan. The province said it has received more than 80 applications from communities since the program launched.

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Exploring affordable housing through the private sector

Nuttall said council has made affordable housing a priority but added that partnerships with the private sector are essential to delivering new homes.

“One of the biggest challenges facing our city is affordability,” he said.

READ MORE: Ambitious highrise plan on Bradford Street could reshape Barrie’s skyline

“Too many residents are working hard, raising families and contributing to our city, but are struggling to find a home they can afford, and that’s why council has made affordable housing a priority in the City of Barrie. Government can’t build housing alone,” Nuttall said. “Our role is to create the conditions for our partners to build homes faster and to work with those partners to deliver solutions that make a real difference for our residents.”

Barrie is supporting the project through its housing incentive programs, which are intended to encourage the construction of affordable housing as part of new residential developments.

City officials say the development reflects Barrie’s broader strategy to increase the housing supply while expanding access to affordable homes for residents.

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KPMG’s poll of major players in the country’s economy showed broad support for the Carney government’s agenda, including streamlining approval processes and construction of a new West Coast oil pipeline.

The tax advisory firm contracted Angus Reid to gauge the opinions of 359 leaders or decision-makers at businesses in Canada with annual gross revenue greater than $10 million. Nearly 60 per cent of the respondents worked for companies reporting revenue of $500 million or more.

Fifty-one per cent said they expect the federal government’s economic measures will leave their businesses ‘much better off’ or ‘somewhat better off’ over the next three years, while 55 per cent said they believe the government is making progress in strengthening support for Canadian businesses.

There’s still concerns around existing policies. Sixty-seven per cent blamed regulatory requirements for delaying projects and deterring investment, while 65 per cent said these factors and taxes make it harder to scale up or remain in Canada.

Still, nearly half (47 per cent) said they were confident in their firm’s ability to increase investment in Canada if supported with the feds’ ‘Buy Canada’ procurement policies, other incentives and new financing.

“As the U.S. ratchets up trade pressure on Canada, many Canadian businesses are taking a measured approach and want to wait to see how the latest U.S. tariffs will shake out before reacting,” Lachlan Wolfers, national leader of KPMG Law, said in a statement.

“Our survey shows business leaders want governments to stay focused on the actions that are within Canada’s control to build economic resilience. They want government to work with them to quickly deliver on the federal economic agenda, improve tax competitiveness, reduce red tape and diversify trade.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s broader economic agenda seemed to have the backing of business leaders.

The national business and trade outlook survey asked respondents to rank what they believe should be the priorities for Ottawa, with regulatory reform and construction of a new West Coast pipeline topping the list at 50 per cent each. Accelerating major project spending including on infrastructure (47 per cent) and tax reform (43) were close behind.

Carney is moving ahead with designating the proposed pipeline as a project of national importance, laying the path for a streamlined approval processes. The Liberal government has also outlined plans to spend billions to support trade-enabling infrastructure as well as offer new financing and tax changes to incentivize investment.

BACKGROUND: Pipeline set to become first project fast-tracked under Building Canada Act

Many of the business leaders said they have had to raise prices to adjust to U.S. tariffs (66 per cent), but there was broad support for Canada to avoid making further concessions to the Americans.

Sixty-five per cent said they agreed that Canada should be more transactional and dispassionate when negotiating with the U.S., while 69 per cent supported being tough negotiators and using all points of leverage.

The survey was conducted between June 25 and July 13, failing to capture the latest tariff threat from south of the border. U.S. President Donald announced on July 20 that he was imposing 50 per cent tariffs on a swath of Canadian goods in 30 days’ time.

Carney has sought to soften the blow of American tariffs by prioritizing new trading relationships abroad, setting a target of doubling non-U.S. exports by 2035.

Many business leaders supported the government’s broader push to diversify trade away from the U.S.

One-third said they plan to expand to new markets within the next one to three years, while 26 per cent said they already export or are exploring exporting to markets where Canada has a trade deal.

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