Barrie celebrates National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

The City of Barrie is celebrating National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week by recognizing the crucial role public safety telecommunicators play in emergency response and public safety. April 12 to 18 is officially dedicated to honouring the professionals who answer 911 calls, dispatch emergency responders, and provide vital information to those on the front lines of emergencies. Residents are encouraged to share a quick note of thanks for the unsung heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes. The messages will be shared with all of Barrie’s public safety telecommunicators.

Have Your Say: Help Shape the Future of Centennial Park

The City is inviting residents to share their input on design proposals for a new Centennial Park Food and Activity Hub, a project intended to celebrate local food culture, improve public access to the waterfront, and create new opportunities for community activity and events in this important park. Two preliminary design concepts have been developed, and each explores different ways to organize the space around three core waterfront experiences: dance, dine, and play.

Residents are encouraged to visit BuildingBarrie.ca/CentennialParkHub to review both design concepts and complete the online survey by Friday, May 1, 2026, for a chance to win a prize.

The Recycling Depot is now open!

The depot is located at the lower gate area of the City’s landfill site at 272 Ferndale Drive North. This facility helps reduce wait times and makes dropping off recyclable materials, tires, electronics, scrap metal and household hazardous waste materials more efficient.

The depot is open Tuesday to Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Learn more at barrie.ca/landfill.

Reminder: Please repackage any disintegrated yard waste bags

If your yard waste has been left at the curb over the winter, it will need to be repackaged and set back out in an intact container to be collected. Paper yard waste bags that have broken down under the snow can’t be picked up.

To ensure collection, please place yard waste in one of the following containers: 

• a garbage can up to 120 L with exterior handles;
• an old green bin (not a current organics cart); or 
• an intact paper leaf and yard waste bag.

For more information on proper yard waste packaging, visit barrie.ca/YardWasteCollection.

Spot a Pothole? Let Us Know

Last year, City crews repaired more than 12,900 potholes—and they’re out there tackling more this spring. With fluctuating temperatures, new potholes can appear quickly, and your reports play a key role in helping us find and fix them fast. Pothole repairs are scheduled based on urgency and location. When reporting one, please include the exact spot, along with a nearby address or landmark. 

Report a pothole using any of the following:

• • Online: ServiceBarrie.ca
  • Phone: 705-726-4242
  • Email: ServiceBarrie@barrie.ca
  • Mobile App

For more details, visit barrie.ca/potholes.

Reminder: Property tax installment due April 30

The second installment of the interim 2026 property tax bill is due on April 30. Interim tax bills are issued each January. If your taxes are paid through a mortgage company or a pre-authorized payment plan, you will not receive an interim tax bill. The final bill ​is issued each May and typically arrives in mailboxes by early June. Never miss a due date – enroll in the Pre-Authorized Payment Plan for hassle-free payments.

For details, visit barrie.ca/PropertyTaxes.

Calling Young Entrepreneurs: Apply Now to Launch Your Summer Business

Local students aged 15–29 are invited to apply for the 2026 Summer Company program, which helps young entrepreneurs turn their business ideas into real summer ventures. Participants receive a $3,000 microgrant, mentorship, and training through support from the Ontario Government. Eligible applicants must be returning to school in fall 2026, live in Ontario, be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and be ready to commit 280–420 hours to running their business over the summer. Applications are open until April 30. 

Learn more at investbarrie.ca/SmallBusinessCentre. 

Attend a Building Services Open House this spring!

Thinking about a home renovation, addition, or building a deck? Drop in to a Building Services Open House!  The remaining sessions run 6–8 p.m. on Thursday, May 7 (Allandale Recreation Centre), and Thursday, June 4 (Peggy Hill Team Community Centre). Open houses are free and require no registration. This is an opportunity to learn about building permits and building inspections from City staff and pick up building project resources related to home renovation projects. 

Learn more about building in Barrie at barrie.ca/building.

Presented by The City of Barrie

The post This Week in Barrie: Week of April 13 appeared first on CompassNews.

Register now for Clean and Green Barrie

City of Barrie residents are invited to roll up their sleeves and help beautify local neighbourhoods by joining Clean and Green Barrie, the city-wide spring cleanup initiative that kicks off on Earth Day. Registered participants receive cleanup supplies and instructions for bag drop-off and collection.

• School Participation Days: Wednesday, April 22 to Friday, April 24
• Community & Business Cleanup Days: Wednesday, April 22 to Sunday, April 26

Registration is required by Monday, April 13.

Learn more and register at barrie.ca/CleanAndGreen.

Yard waste collection resumes this week!

Yard waste collection resumes the week of Monday, April 6, with collection every other week, alternating with your garbage week. Place yard waste curbside by 7 a.m. on your scheduled collection day (4:30 a.m. in the downtown BIA). Reminder: your garbage and organics carts need space to be collected! Leave at least 2 ft between carts and your yard waste and recycling boxes.

For more information about yard waste and to confirm your collection schedule, visit barrie.ca/YardWasteCollection.

Recycling depot opens for the season Saturday, April 11

The depot is located at the lower gate area of the City’s landfill site at 272 Ferndale Drive, North. This facility helps reduce wait times and make dropping off recyclable materials, tires, electronics, scrap metal and household hazardous waste materials more efficient.

The depot is open Tuesday to Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Learn more at barrie.ca/landfill.

See a Pothole? Report It and We’ll Take Care of It

Last year, the City repaired more than 12,900 potholes—and now we’re tackling this year’s problem areas. As temperatures fluctuate in the spring, new potholes can form. Your reports help us identify this year’s trouble spots so repairs can happen quickly. Pothole requests are handled based on priority and scheduling. When reporting one, please share the exact location, along with details like a nearby address or landmark. This ensures crews can find and fix the issue faster.

Report a pothole using any of the following:

• • Online: ServiceBarrie.ca
  • Phone: 705-726-4242
  • Email: ServiceBarrie@barrie.ca
  • Mobile App
  • Facebook or X

For more details, visit barrie.ca/potholes.

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.

Reminder: Property tax installment due April 30

The second installment of the interim 2026 property tax bill is due on April 30. Interim tax bills are issued each January. If your taxes are paid through a mortgage company or a pre-authorized payment plan, you will not receive an interim tax bill. The final bill ​is issued each May and typically arrives in mailboxes by early June. Never miss a due date – enroll in the Pre-Authorized Payment Plan for hassle-free payments.

For details, visit barrie.ca/PropertyTaxes.

Calling Young Entrepreneurs: Apply Now to Launch Your Summer Business

Local students aged 15–29 are invited to apply for the 2026 Summer Company program, which helps young entrepreneurs turn their business ideas into real summer ventures. Participants receive a $3,000 microgrant, mentorship, and training through support from the Ontario Government—and they keep any profits earned. Eligible applicants must be returning to school in fall 2026, live in Ontario, be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and be ready to commit 280–420 hours to running their business over the summer. Applications are open until April 30. 

Learn more at investbarrie.ca/SmallBusinessCentre. 

Planning for a Home Renovation or Backyard Project?

Come out to one of our Building Services Open Houses on May 7 (Allandale Recreation Centre), or June 4 (Peggy Hill Team Community Centre). Open houses are free and require no registration. This is an opportunity to learn about building permits and building inspections from City staff and pick up building project resources related to home renovation projects.

Learn more about building in Barrie at barrie.ca/building.

Presented by The City of Barrie

The post This Week in Barrie: Week of April 6 appeared first on CompassNews.

The teams finished second and third, all but ensuring they would face off if they won their first round playoff series.

They did that in style.

The second-seed Barrie Colts eliminated Niagara in five games. The third-place Ottawa 67’s swept Kingston in four.

And with first-place Brantford cruising past their competition, the Colts and 67’s will play in the second-round of the playoffs, with Game 1 in Barrie set to go Thursday night.

The winner of the best-of-seven series will play either Brantford or fifth-seed North Bay in the conference championship, with a spot in the OHL title on the line.

The winner of the OHL championship will play in the Memorial Cup.

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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.

The post Barrie mayor says HST removal on new homes is a ‘game-changer’ appeared first on CompassNews.

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.

The post Barrie recognized as second-best city to live in across Canada appeared first on CompassNews.

Summer camp registration opens for residents this week!

Resident registration for summer camps starts Tuesday, March 24. Non-resident registration opens on Tuesday, March 31. Registration for spring recreation programs is ongoing with lots of activities to enjoy! Browse and register for recreation programming opportunities including spring rec programs and summer camps at play.barrie.ca or register in person at Allandale Recreation Centre (190 Bayview Drive), East Bayfield Community Centre (80 Livingstone Street East) or Peggy Hill Team Community Centre (171 Mapleton Avenue).

Attend a Building Services Open House this spring!

Thinking about a home renovation, addition, or building a deck? Drop in to a Building Services Open House!  The remaining sessions run 6–8 p.m. on Thursday, April 2 (East Bayfield Community Centre), Thursday, May 7 (Allandale Recreation Centre), and Thursday, June 4 (Peggy Hill Team Community Centre). Open houses are free and require no registration. This is an opportunity to learn about building permits and building inspections from City staff and pick up building project resources related to home renovation projects. 

Learn more about building in Barrie at barrie.ca/building.

Calling Young Entrepreneurs: Apply Now to Launch Your Summer Business

Local students aged 15–29 are invited to apply for the 2026 Summer Company program, which helps young entrepreneurs turn their business ideas into real summer ventures. Participants receive a $3,000 micro-grant, mentorship, and training through support from the Ontario Government—and they keep any profits earned. Eligible applicants must be returning to school in fall 2026, live in Ontario, be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and be ready to commit 280–420 hours to running their business over the summer. Applications are open until April 30. 

Learn more at investbarrie.ca/SmallBusinessCentre. 

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.

Help keep our roads safe: report potholes

Spring is here, and as temperatures rise, city crews will be busy filling potholes. These common spring hazards typically form when frost develops and snow is melting. You can help ensure potholes are repaired quickly by reporting them! To report a pothole, please provide as much detail as possible, such as the location and nearest address or landmark, so crews can find and fill the pothole as efficiently as possible.

Report a pothole using any of the following:

• Online: ServiceBarrie.ca
• Phone: 705-726-4242
• Email: ServiceBarrie@barrie.ca
• Mobile App
• Facebook or X

For more information on road maintenance, visit barrie.ca/RoadMaintenance.

Apply Now: Heritage Conservation Grant Program

The City of Barrie is inviting property owners to apply for the Conservation of Built Heritage Grant Program, which helps fund restoration and renovation projects for heritage properties. Funding covers up to 60% of eligible costs, up to $10,000. Eligible work includes restoration, necessary upgrades, energy efficiency improvements, and other conservation projects on heritage-listed or designated properties. The deadline to apply is April 1, 2026. Learn more and see eligibility requirements at barrie.ca/HeritageCIP.

For any questions about the program, reach out to heritage@barrie.ca or call 705-739-4220 x4416.

Second property tax installment due April 30

The second installment of the interim 2026 property tax bill is due on April 30. Interim tax bills are issued each January. If your taxes are paid through a mortgage company or a pre-authorized payment plan, you will not receive an interim tax bill. The final bill ​is issued each May and typically arrives in mailboxes by early June. Never miss a due date – enroll in the Pre-Authorized Payment Plan for hassle-free payments.

For details, visit barrie.ca/PropertyTaxes.

Presented by The City of Barrie

The post This Week in Barrie: Week of March 23 appeared first on CompassNews.

They will do so as the conference’s second seed, ensuring home ice advantage for the first round as well as the second — if Barrie gets that far.

The Colts enter the series as heavy favourites against the seven-seed Ice Dogs, who Barrie beat in the first round of the playoffs last year.

Barrie won that series in five.

Game 2 goes Saturday, also at Sadlon Arena.

The series shifts to St. Catharines for games three and four.

The best-of-seven series will return to Barrie next Saturday for game five if it goes that far.

The post Colts to take on Niagara in first round of playoffs appeared first on CompassNews.