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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“Ottawa is a world-class capital city. We deserve a transit system that reflects that, and we can build it,” Leiper wrote in a media release.

An audit from the Auditor General of Ottawa published in June found that the city’s “New Ways to Bus” plan led to reduced services for transit in the capital region, due to prioritizing cost-saving, as well as the use of outdated data. Leiper repeated the AG’s finding that the changes in the bus plan reduced transit service by 70,000 hours.

A May survey commissioned by The Ottawa Compass and iPolitics through Liaison Strategies found that 64 per cent of respondents disapprove of the City of Ottawa’s transit system.

Councillor Leiper argues that the broad shift back to working in office will only make the city’s congestion crunch worse.

“Ottawa families are already paying for transit,” Leiper said. “They shouldn’t have to budget an extra hour for their commute or call an Uber because Mark Sutcliffe’s cuts mean their bus is late again.”

The five-point transit plan would include:

• Restoring a citizen seat on the Transit Commission. City Council voted away citizen seats in 2022.
• Publishing information about on-time performance numbers for transit so that riders can plan ahead.
• Reversing changes made in the “New Ways to Bus” plan.
• Building dedicated bus lanes across the city.
• Creating a long-term fleet replacement and vehicle maintenance plan for OC Transpo.

Mayor Sutcliffe has defended his record on transit in the past few months, saying that Ottawa has spent more than usual on transit during the years of his tenure and that any savings council manages to find can be reinvested to reduce the transit system’s deficit.

Interested in who is running to be Ottawa’s mayor in the fall, and what they’re each promising? Follow along with iPolitics’ candidate profile panoply, starting with an exclusive interview of Councillor Jeff Leiper here.

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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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Scarborough Southwest has been vacant since February when Doly Begum, who held the riding provincially for the NDP, resigned to successfully run for the federal Liberals there.

In the months after her resignation, the riding became somewhat of a flashpoint after former MP Nate Erskine-Smith failed to win the Ontario Liberal nomination and made accusations of impropriety in the race, which the party said were unsubstantiated.

A byelection will also be held in York-Simcoe, which was vacated in June with the resignation of Caroline Mulroney, who served in cabinet as president of the Treasury Board.

The resignation of another cabinet minister, Minister of Sport Neil Lumsden, has triggered a byelection in Hamilton East-Stoney Creek as well.

Ford will also have to fill the cabinet posts of Mulroney and Lumsden, as well as Stan Cho, who resigned last month as minister of tourism, culture and gaming amid an expense scandal, though he remains in the Progressive Conservative caucus.

The post Ford calls three Ontario byelections for early September appeared first on CompassNews.

Youths Charged in Craig Henry Drive Stabbing

On July 23, frontline officers responded to a call regarding a stabbing in the 100 block of Craig Henry Dr. At approximately 9:35 p.m. ET, officers located a man who had been assaulted with an edged weapon. Authorities transported the victim to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Two youths now face charges. There are no ongoing concerns for public safety. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers online or via phone.

OPS Seeking Witnesses to Sexual Assault

At approximately 5 p.m. on July 28, a woman was walking and pushing a child in a stroller on a paved pathway in the area of Truro Street and Carpenter Way when she was approached by an unknown man. The suspect, armed with a knife, sexually assaulted the woman before fleeing the area. The victim was transported to hospital, where she is receiving support. The OPS Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Section (SACA) is investigating and is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect. The man was described as a white male, approximately 40 years of age, with a medium build and a dark beard. He was English-speaking with no noticeable accent, dressed in a black hoodie with front pockets and brown shoulders and sleeves, faded blue jeans, and brown tennis-style shoes. 

Investigators ask that anyone who was in the area of Truro Street and Carpenter Way (see map) at approximately 5 p.m. on July 28 contact police. Detectives are particularly interested in speaking with anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity or who has dashcam, doorbell, or security camera footage from the area. A map of the area where the incident occurred is available on the OPS’s social media platforms.

Collaboration with Philippines Authorities in Child Protection Operation

An investigation by the OPS Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit contributed to the protection of eight victims, including five children, following a coordinated international investigation into online child sexual exploitation in the Philippines. 

The investigation began in July 2025 after the OPS received information from the National Child Exploitation Crime Centre (NCECC) regarding a cybertip.ca report submitted by an Ottawa resident. OPS investigators obtained evidence that helped corroborate the online activity and supported an international referral through the RCMP’s Transnational Child Sex Offender Unit. Working in partnership with the NCECC, the RCMP, and law enforcement partners in the Philippines, investigators were able to advance the case.

This led to an enforcement operation by the Human Trafficking Division of the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation. As a result of that operation, authorities arrested one suspect for online child sexual exploitation offences. Investigators brought eight victims to safety (including five children), seized evidence, and identified instances of child sexual abuse and exploitation. The victims are now under the care of child protection and social service agencies. 

The OPS encourages anyone who encounters suspected online child sexual exploitation to report it immediately. Reports can be made through cybertip.ca or by contacting your local police service. Prompt reporting can play a critical role in protecting children and supporting investigations both in Canada and internationally.

The post Ottawa Police Blotter – August 5 appeared first on CompassNews.

Skip the driveway, visit the car wash

Driveways are not the best place for washing cars. The soaps and detergents can make their way into the ground or the lake.  In Barrie, our drinking water from the tap comes from both Lake Simcoe and local groundwater sources. Protecting these sources helps preserve the quality and safety of the city’s drinking water. Instead, take your car to a car wash. Car washes are required to treat their wastewater before releasing it into the sewer. Safe drinking water starts with you!

Learn about more about simple actions you can take to protect our drinking water at barrie.ca/SourceWaterProtection.

Hot Summer Nights returns with cool family fun

Barrie Fire and Emergency Service (BFES) will host two free Hot Summer Nights this summer – the first at Sunnidale Park (265 Sunnidale Road) on Thursday, July 30, from 6 to 8 p.m., and the second on Thursday, August 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Madelaine Park (90 Madelaine Drive). Everyone is welcome to join the fun and cool off under the spray from BFES trucks. Participate in family-friendly activities, learn about lifesaving fire safety tips, and take tours of the fire trucks.

Visit barrie.ca/HotSummerNights for event details.

New ward boundaries for upcoming Municipal Election

The City of Barrie has finalized new ward boundaries following a comprehensive review completed in 2025. The updated boundaries will be in effect for the 2026 Municipal Election and the upcoming term of Council. Residents whose ward boundaries have changed will vote in their new ward during the municipal election this fall. Current ward representation will remain unchanged until the newly elected Council is sworn in. Individuals considering a run for Council are encouraged to review the updated ward map, as the changes may affect the areas they wish to represent.

For more information, including interactive and printable ward maps, visit barrie.ca/election.

Fall recreation registration opens August 25

Set a reminder to enrol in your favourite registered recreation programs for the fall! Registration for residents opens on Tuesday, August 25, at 8 a.m. Registration for non-residents will open Tuesday, September 1.  Starting August 18, you can browse offerings at play.barrie.ca and save them to your “Wish List” to conveniently find desired programs when registration opens.

The City also offers fee assistance to help eligible Barrie residents access recreation programs.

Beach day reminder: Know before you go

To help keep beaches safe and enjoyable for everyone, tents and most sunshades are not permitted at Barrie’s waterfront beaches and parks. Permitted shade structures must have no more than one pole and one wall or side, ensuring clear sightlines throughout the area.

Learn more about beach rules and amenities at barrie.ca/beaches.

Last chance: Barrie Arts Awards nominations

Celebrate the individuals and organizations that enrich Barrie’s arts community by submitting a nomination for the 2026 Barrie Arts Awards. Nominations are open until Monday, August 10, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. The awards recognize outstanding contributions to the local arts sector, with recipients being honoured at the annual gala on November 10, 2026.

To submit a nomination or learn more, visit barrie.ca/ArtsAwards.

Waterfront digital parking permit valid through 2028 

Barrie residents can park for free at select waterfront locations with a digital waterfront parking permit, now valid through December 31, 2028. Permits are tied directly to your licence plate, so there’s no need to display anything in your vehicle. Already have a permit? You’re all set—no further action is required.

If you don’t have one yet, apply today at barrie.ca/WaterfrontParking.

Presented by The City of Barrie

The post This Week in Barrie: Week of August 3 appeared first on CompassNews.

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Subscribe to No Talking Points on Apple and Spotify. Video episodes are available on YouTube.

In this bonus episode of No Talking Points, produced in collaboration with Compass News Ottawa and Liaison Strategies, Brian Storseth sits down with David Valentin, Principal at Liaison Strategies, to break down where the candidates stand in Ottawa’s mayoral race. They also examine public trust in the Ottawa Police Service and what the issue could mean for the election.

Chapters

00:00:00 Analyzing Ottawa’s Mayoral Race: Current Standings and Mayor’s Polling Numbers
00:04:56 Understanding Candidate Dynamics and Evolving Campaign Strategies in Ottawa
00:13:11 How Lisa McLeod’s Entry Could Reshape the Mayoral Race
00:15:36 Examining Top Voter Concerns and Public Trust in Ottawa Police
00:23:57 Development Fees and Housing Affordability

No Talking Points is iPolitics’ signature weekly podcast, hosted by Editor-in-Chief Marco Vigliotti and Publisher Brian Storseth. The show features candid, in-depth conversations with a rotating panel of guests on the latest developments in Canadian politics and global affairs.

Keep up with us:

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The post Unfiltered: Race to City Hall – Does Ottawa trust its police? appeared first on CompassNews.

Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said it would mark the first time in decades that passenger locomotive vehicles are assembled in Canada.

“This announcement is about far more than new trains. It’s about building our country, supporting our workers, supporting passengers, creating good jobs, and developing expertise right here in Canada,” he said during a press conference in Montreal on Wednesday.

Under the deal, Swiss-based Stadler will supply 45 trainsets to Via, while final assembly and testing of up to 36 vehicles will take place in Montreal. Pomerleau will build the new facility, which will then serve as the maintenance centre for the trains.

Manufacturing will take place in Spain.

The government said the the trainsets will cost $1.6 billion, while Ottawa will spend $357 million on building the assembly and maintenance facility.

The hybrid battery-diesel vehicles will serve routes outside of Via’s busy Windsor-Quebec City corridor. The batteries work by optimizing and reducing fuel consumption, and the government said it would lay the “groundwork for future zero-emission propulsion.”

ABB will supply the batteries from a facility in the Montreal area.

Miguel Cerdá, a Stadler vice-president who joined MacKinnon and others at the press conference, said the trainsets have been “specifically designed to meet Canada’s demanding operational requirements,” including zero-noise rules and operating at temperatures as low as -50 degrees Celsius.

He said Stadler vehicles already operate in similar cold-temperature environments including the Nordic countries and are “reliable during harsh winters.”

Cerdá added that Stadler will establish a new Canadian organization to “support the fleet through its life cycle, ensuring high availability, reliability, and performance for decades to come.”

The government said it expects the project to create 1,200 full-time jobs, in addition to generating other benefits across the rail supply chain.

Via has already debuted new trainsets for the corridor after receiving federal funding in the 2018 budget.

During the press conference, MacKinnon was asked about media reports that Ontario was considering pulling its support for the Alto high-speed rail project after he rejected the province’s plan to expand the runway at Billy Bishop airport in downtown Toronto.

He said Alto would “redefine travel” between Canada’s largest cities and hoped to have the support of both the Ontario and Quebec governments.

He praised the Ford government for its “extraordinary cooperation on a number of very, very important economic projects” and said that this cooperation “would continue.”

“These are important, critical things, and Canadians want us to roll up our sleeves.”

The post Feds to spend nearly $2 billion to replace Via’s long-haul fleet appeared first on CompassNews.

The Barrie Youth Council organized the event. Ward 8 Coun. Jim Harris chairs the committee, which began in 2025 and works to encourage youth engagement in an effort to give young people a voice in municipal issues.

Vice-chair Tola Olukoya said the event aims to connect young people with one another while introducing them to the city services available to them.

“The event was made to connect everyone together but also for the great city services, like fire services, police and our public library,” she said.

“I believe it’s important that students know they have a voice. Typically, they see committees or members of city council, but we believe there are issues that young people can address. Our job on the youth council is to tell Barrie youth they are the future of this city.”

Harris encourages local youth to become involved with the council.

“It’s a fun, positive way for younger people to come out, enjoy some activities, relax and connect with others,” Harris said.

“Reach out to the Barrie Youth Council if you want to get involved. Get curious, ask questions and get involved with other young people who want to do more for our city.”

The Barrie Youth Council is accepting applications for new members aged 12 to 20 through the end of 2026.

The post Youth Council brings families together at Southshore Centre appeared first on CompassNews.