As Barrie continues ongoing boundary expansion talks with Oro-Medonte and Springwater, Mayor Alex Nuttall said he’s open to more provincial involvement.
The Ontario government joined the discussions in spring 2024 with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing appointing a Deputy Provincial Land and Development Facilitator to help guide the process.
“Ultimately, it’s the provincial government’s decision — we can’t make it on our own,” he said. “It would require provincial legislation, not municipal. I’ll continue discussions with Oro-Medonte and Springwater, and we’ll keep moving forward together where possible.”
Nuttall emphasized the need for a clear deadline and timeline to deliver results that boost housing and industry in Barrie.
“There has to be an end date, and a timeline that delivers results so we can attract more industry and build the housing Barrie needs,” he said.
In 2023, Barrie proposed annexing 1,324 hectares from Oro-Medonte and Springwater to support growth, including 772 hectares from Oro-Medonte near Shanty Bay. The rest lies along the Springwater border near Little Lake. A land study flagged these areas for housing and jobs, however, both Oro-Medonte and Springwater have rejected the proposal.
Nuttall said expanding Barrie’s boundaries could add up to 20,000 jobs over the next 20 years.
Doug Downey, the MPP for Barrie–Springwater–Oro-Medonte, said it’s best for talks to continue with the facilitator without additional provincial intervention for the time being.
“I continue to encourage the municipalities, with the agreed upon facilitator, to continue talking in the interest of their constituents and the needs of the province,” he said.
In late 2024, Hemson Consulting presented Barrie City Council with a Joint Land Needs Study to guide future planning. Hemson outlined two options: keep current boundaries, resulting in slower growth and possible spillover into nearby townships, or expand Barrie’s boundaries to better meet housing and job needs through 2051, while factoring in infrastructure, costs, and environmental impact.
In early 2025, a recent report from Pinestone Engineering stated that only Barrie can feasibly service development next to RVH, not Springwater. The findings support Mayor Nuttall’s push to bring 366 Penetanguishene Road into Barrie.
