Ready, set, go – Barrie’s 2026 municipal election is underway.
Candidate registration opened May 1. Voters will choose the city’s next mayor, councillors and school board trustees on Oct. 26, 2026.
Two incumbent councillors filed nomination papers on the first day. Deputy Mayor and Coun. Robert Thomson registered to run in Ward 5, while Coun. Nigussie Nigussie registered in Ward 6.
Thomson, first elected in 2018, said he plans to build on the momentum of current council initiatives if re-elected to a third term.
“I’m really excited – I think this term of council has set a great foundation,” he said.
“I believe we need to navigate the things in a priority sequence to accomplish all the things that we’ve started. My goal and why I’m running is that I want to continue the momentum – I want to keep the foot on the gas on everything council has been working on.”
Nigussie, who is seeking a second term, said in a statement that, if re-elected, he wants to ensure growth in Ward 6 is managed properly.
“Ward 6 is a growing and vibrant community,” he said.
“My focus is to manage that growth the right way, by staying ahead with smart infrastructure, making sure our roads, services, and neighbourhoods are built to support growth. Keep people safe, and avoid higher costs down the road, while supporting families and seniors and ensuring our community remains safe, accessible, and well-served.”
Norm Costello, who ran for the Ward 9 council seat in 2022 but was unsuccessful, has registered to run again. In a media release, Costello said his campaign platform will focus on fiscal accountability, infrastructure readiness and common-sense city services.
Coun. Sergio Morales has represented Ward 9 since 2014.
So far, one school board trustee candidate has registered — Eric Lapointe, running for Conseil scolaire Viamonde.
All candidates in the 2026 municipal election will run under a newly drawn ward map. In June 2025, Mayor Alex Nuttall and council approved the new boundaries, which reshaped most existing wards. The city will shift from an even split of five wards in the north and five in the south to a layout featuring four northern wards and six southern wards.
In addition, wards 1, 3 and 5 will expand significantly with the addition of annexed lands on Barrie’s north side. On Dec. 9, 2025, the Ontario government passed Bill 76, the Barrie–Oro-Medonte–Springwater Boundary Adjustment Act, 2025. On Jan. 1, 2026, 1,216 hectares were transferred from the Township of Springwater to Barrie, along with 457 hectares from the Township of Oro-Medonte.
The deadline to register as a candidate is Aug. 21, 2026. Election day is Oct. 26, 2026.
