Federal government showcases nearly $30B homelessness plan during Barrie visit

Barrie is getting a closer look from Ottawa.

Federal and municipal officials gathered at Barrie City Hall on Nov. 12 as the federal government highlighted its nearly $30-billion, 10-year plan aimed at ending homelessness across Canada.

Vince Gasparro, Liberal MP for Eglinton-Lawrence and parliamentary secretary for combating crime, discussed the 2026 federal budget and its homelessness strategy.

Several dignitaries attended the announcement, including Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall, Deputy Mayor Robert Thomson, Coun. Jim Harris, Barrie Police Chief Rich Johnston, Barrie Fire Chief Kevin White and Simcoe County Chair Don McIsaac.

Gasparro said the plan is built around three pillars – help, housing and health – with an emphasis on addressing the causes of homelessness while providing more housing.

“Here in Barrie, more than 700 people are currently without a home,” he said.

“They are our neighbours, their veterans, our parents, seniors, people who fell on hard times, some who have serious mental health and addiction issues, and are struggling to find their way back.”

Gasparro said the federal strategy recognizes that simply providing someone with a home is not enough to solve homelessness. The plan includes mental-health services, addiction treatment, employment opportunities, homelessness prevention, rental assistance and other support services.

“Barrie is not alone – across Canada, homelessness has nearly doubled since 2018,” he said.

“Last year, about 65,000 people had no place to call home. We can do better, and we will do better. Lastly, Canada’s government released Budget 2026. With it, we are putting Canada on a path to end homelessness within 10 years, backed by nearly $30 billion.”

The plan includes $6.5 billion to renew the Reaching Home program, a 10-year extension of the Canada Housing Benefit and $10 billion through Build Canada Homes to construct 25,000 supportive and transitional housing units.

Ottawa is also investing $5 billion in an Integrated Support Fund to connect housing, health care and addiction services, along with another $2 billion for mental-health and addiction facilities.

The strategy includes an additional $22 billion in affordability measures, including a 50-per-cent increase to the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit.

Gasparro said the increase will benefit more than 12 million Canadians, including about 50,000 people in Barrie.

He added that addressing homelessness will require different levels of government, businesses, non-profit organizations, community groups and local leaders to work together.

“Everyone deserves a safe, warm place to call home,” he said.

“No government can solve homelessness alone. It is too complex and big of a problem for just one level of government. But together, with every corner of government, with community partners from both the private and not-for-profit sector, and with people who care, we can.”

Barrie has received federal support through the Reaching Home program since 2019. Gasparro also highlighted the Bridge to Stability initiative, which will bring 40 bridge-housing units to the city, as well as funding for youth shelter beds at the YMCA’s south-end facility, including about a dozen beds for Youth Haven.

Nuttall said the city is prepared to match federal funding to help address homelessness and related social issues.

“I think most important for us on the ground here is that the investments are coming and they’re focused in the right areas,” he said.

“We’ve talked about everything from law enforcement and social disorder and criminal behaviors – what we need to do is back that up and figure out how do we stop those things from happening in the first place. Addictions – it has had a severe effect here in the city of Barrie.”

Nuttall said a team approach is needed to address the issue.

“What I see coming through the budget that is incredibly important is bringing those things together,” he said.

“This is bringing homelessness, bringing addictions, bringing treatment and supportive housing all into one plan from the federal level. I think that we need to learn from that right across the gamut of government.”

Thomson said the announcement demonstrates the importance of co-operation between different levels of government.

“This is different levels of government, and it shows you the importance of this issue, and it’s all hands-on deck,” he said.

The next steps will focus on how federal funding can be combined with municipal and provincial resources to turn plans into reality.