Despite sharp criticism from several Springwater council members, Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall and Springwater Mayor Jennifer Coughlin remain firmly committed to working on a proposed land-for-services agreement between the two municipalities.
On May 9, the City of Barrie and the Township of Springwater issued a joint media release detailing the draft agreement. The proposal would see approximately 4,373 acres of land — currently within Springwater’s boundaries — transferred to Barrie to support long-term housing and job growth.
The deal faced heated grievances during a tense Springwater council meeting on May 21, where Mayor Nuttall was invited to present the draft plan and take questions. Instead of engaging in a constructive dialogue, most council members used the opportunity to denounce the proposal.
Deputy Mayor George Cabral and Coun. Danielle Alexander criticized the deal stating they believe there is a lack of transparency, while Coun. Anita Moore sees no benefit in changing boundaries. Coun. Phil Fisher bluntly dismissed the plan as “a raw deal” that disadvantages Springwater. Despite concerns, both mayors said they will move forward, stressing the need for regional growth while ensuring transparency.
Nuttall said he was frustrated that many Springwater council members wanted to voice their dissatisfaction instead of having a productive conversation during the meeting.
“Embarrassing. That was the first time I’ve been in a meeting where the decorum of certain council members was beneath what one would expect of our office holders,” he said.
“It’s good to get the information to the public — it’s good to be able to show that we have elected officials who are trying to work together instead of against each other, that we are trying to work with the Ontario government, and that we are acting in the best interests of the residents we represent.”
Coughlin said she remains confident that collaboration will lead to a deal that benefits both Barrie and Springwater, while also ensuring the public receives accurate information.
“While what happened in the meeting was unfortunate, there is a path forward,” she said.
“We’ve got to continue. Our next step in Springwater, with our staff, is to begin analyzing and assessing all the information. We also expressed to Mayor Nuttall that the purpose of this process is to ensure the public understands the numbers currently being circulated are coming from competing interests.”
At the May 21 meeting, Fisher stated that Township of Oro-Medonte Mayor Randy Greenlaw told him Coughlin had participated in several meetings without proper authorization, and that the public had not been adequately informed. Fisher argued the agreement is more of a personal deal between Coughlin and Nuttall, rather than an official arrangement between the municipalities.
Under Ontario’s Municipal Act, mayors in Simcoe County are allowed to meet with one another without requiring approval from their respective councils, as long as specific conditions are followed.
Coughlin said that her primary focus is on what benefits Springwater, noting that while this is a significant milestone, it is only the first of many steps still to come.
“This is a Springwater-first approach for me,” she said.
“I consider this a starting point — a great starting point. I’m not in the practice of making assumptions about whether this is a good deal or not without reviewing the information and the work done by our staff. What I do know is that this starting point is already a better deal than what Innisfil got.”
In 2009, the Ontario government passed the Barrie-Innisfil Boundary Adjustment Act, transferring almost 5,664 acres from Innisfil to Barrie on January 1, 2010.
Nuttall expressed gratitude for Coughlin’s leadership in recognizing the importance of securing a prosperous future for both municipalities.
“I want to thank Mayor Coughlin for putting jobs, housing and the conservation of our area to the forefront. This is about working together,” he said.
“We want to make sure the children in both of our communities will have more housing, schools, great jobs and conservation lands. We’re going to continue to have a respectful discourse and conversation about what’s best for our municipalities.”
As part of the current deal, Barrie’s boundary would expand in exchange for water, wastewater services, and compensation, following the St. Thomas/Central Elgin model. A joint economic committee and dedicated support for Springwater will promote coordinated growth. The two municipalities will collaborate on regional healthcare access. A phased tax plan will ease transitions for affected property owners.
Springwater residents will gain access to Barrie’s recreation facilities and parking passes. The Springwater mayor will join the Little Lake Conservation Trust. A request will also be made to review Alectra’s service area boundaries.
Nuttall and the City of Barrie first proposed boundary expansion in late 2023. As part of the expansion request, approximately 1,907 acres of land located east of Penetanguishene Road in Oro-Medonte would be added into Barrie.
