Alex Nuttall Archives - CompassNews

Nuttall re-elected Barrie mayor in landslide victory

Stephen J. Donkers — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 13:11:05 +0000

Barrie residents have decided it’s four more years for Alex Nuttall.

Nuttall is heading back to Barrie City Hall after winning a second consecutive term as mayor in a decisive victory in the Oct. 26 municipal election.

He secured 26,054 votes, or 66.62 per cent of the total, finishing well ahead of his closest challenger, Tanya Saari, who received 9,898 votes, or 25.31 per cent. Russell J. Tighe and Kay Sayer trailed the two front-runners, receiving 2,419 and 737 votes, respectively.

Nuttall and his supporters, volunteers and invited guests gathered at Pie Wood Fired Pizza Joint along Barrie’s waterfront to celebrate the win.

Addressing the crowd, Nuttall reflected on Barrie’s opportunities and the work ahead over the next four years.

“This is a gorgeous city, and we live in an incredible time,” he said.

“The opportunity here, today, and over the next few years is unmatched over Barrie’s history. We have a lot of work to do to realize that opportunity. That’s what we are going to continue to do over the next four years.”

The election also delivered a mix of new and returning faces to Barrie city council.

Incumbents Craig Nixon, Amy Courser, Nigussie Nigussie, Gary Harvey, Jim Harris, Sergio Morales and Bryn Hamilton were all re-elected.

Robert Thomson, who served as deputy mayor during the previous term, won Ward 5 decisively with 3,346 votes, capturing 77.65 per cent of the vote.

In Ward 1, newcomer Pauline Stevenson defeated five other candidates to secure a seat on council. Arif Khan also won a return to council in Ward 4, having previously represented Ward 8 from 2012 to 2018.

Voter turnout across Barrie was 30.21 per cent, with 39,533 votes cast across the city.

The mayor and members of council will begin their 2026-30 term on Nov. 18.

The post Nuttall re-elected Barrie mayor in landslide victory appeared first on CompassNews.

Simcoe takes over downtown Busby Centre properties

Stephen J. Donkers — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 16:39:01 +0000

Simcoe County is taking over two downtown Barrie properties that have long served as a base for homelessness services.

The properties, known as the Busby Centre at 88 and 90 Mulcaster St. offer an array of homelessness services. These properties have played a central role in Barrie’s homelessness response for more than a decade.

Simcoe County plans to renovate the buildings into a purpose-built facility offering housing programs, emergency supports, case management and other services. The project is part of the county’s 10-point Homelessness Prevention Strategy.

The county plans to lease 88 Mulcaster St. back to the Busby Centre and provide the space rent-free during redevelopment to ensure services continue without interruption. Officials say that should start before the end of the year.

In a media release, Mayor Alex Nuttall said the acquisition presents an opportunity to improve outcomes for people experiencing homelessness.

“The County of Simcoe’s commitment to investing in homelessness services and housing-based programming with wraparound supports is encouraging,” he said.

READ MORE: More affordable rental units at the Skyline towers

“The acquisition of these properties represents an opportunity to enhance services, improve outcomes for individuals experiencing homelessness, and advance our shared goal of helping people move toward stable, permanent housing.”

He also stressed the importance of property management and site operations.

“With ownership of these properties comes an important responsibility to maintain a high standard of property management and site operations,” he said.

Residents, businesses, and neighbourhood stakeholders deserve confidence that the site will be well maintained, safe, and operated in a way that positively contributes to the surrounding community.”

More than 640 people were experiencing homelessness in Barrie earlier this year, according to county data.

The post Simcoe takes over downtown Busby Centre properties appeared first on CompassNews.

Mayoral candidates’ visions for homelessness & affordability

Stephen J. Donkers — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 18:14:46 +0000

With the 2026 Barrie municipal election campaign ramping up, the candidates for mayor are outlining their priorities, with affordability, public safety, growth and homelessness emerging as key issues.

Incumbent Mayor Alex Nuttall is seeking a second term, while Tanya Saari, Kay Sayer and Russell Tighe are also running for the city’s top political office.

Nuttall told Compass News that affordability, public safety and traffic safety are the issues he hears most often while campaigning across Barrie.

“On affordability, people are feeling the pressure,” he said.

“We’ve worked hard to keep costs down at City Hall. We eliminated the 4 per cent rain tax increase and delivered one of the lowest tax increases in the province,” Nuttall said. “We also held City Operations increases at 0 per cent for four years. We kept infrastructure increases to 2 per cent, and I’ve reduced that to 1 per cent going forward.”

Homelessness and addiction are also central to the incumbent’s public safety platform.

Nuttall pointed to the city’s response to encampments, including declaring a state of emergency in September 2025, providing outreach support before removing tents and enforcing trespassing orders.

“We need to keep making sure people have an opportunity to get help while continuing to restore safety and order in our public spaces,” he said.

Nuttall said Barrie needs greater investment in rehabilitation services and changes to the Mental Health Act to allow for what he described as a compassionate form of intervention.

“There’s more work to do – it is not compassionate to leave someone overdosing on the side of the street,” he said.

“It is compassionate to get that person help and support for their addiction and mental and physical health. We also invested with the Province and County in the HART Hub to give people a pathway to treatment and recovery. We need to keep making sure people have an opportunity to get help while continuing to restore safety and order in our public spaces.”

“Moving people from one place to another isn’t the answer”

Saari, managing director of Redwood Communities and a local realtor, is making homelessness a key part of her campaign.

She has previously run for council twice and was the federal Liberal candidate for Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte in the 2021 federal election.

On the city’s ongoing state of emergency related to homelessness and encampments, Saari said she would first determine what it is accomplishing before deciding whether to continue or end it.

“I don’t think tents in our parks are the answer, but moving people from one place to another isn’t the answer either,” she said.

“If we want fewer encampments, we need to give people somewhere else to go. I want us putting more of our energy into long-term solutions that actually move people out of homelessness, particularly supportive housing.”

Saari also addressed whether she would support reconsidering a supervised consumption site in Barrie.

A proposed site at 11 Innisfil St. was cancelled in 2024 after applications had been made to Health Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Health.

“I don’t have a firm yes or no position on supervised consumption at this point,” she said.

“I want to understand the evidence, what’s worked and what hasn’t, and listen to the people working directly in addictions and mental health before taking a position. A lot has changed around supervised consumption sites in Ontario. The province has moved away from that model toward HART Hubs.”

Saari also identified growth and affordability as major challenges facing Barrie.

“I want us to take a hard look at what we’re spending, what we’ve already committed to, and what we can realistically afford over the next four years,” she said.

“The emergency is secrecy”

Sayer, who has been a Barrie resident since May 2026, focused her campaign responses on government transparency, taxation and what she described as provincial responsibility for municipal pressures.

On homelessness, Sayer said the focus should be broader than encampments.

“The emergency isn’t tents. The emergency is secrecy,” she said.

“Since the convoy, government froze accounts paid with our taxes because people disagreed. That must be addressed by (Premier) Ford and all mayors. Keep the emergency only if we use it to force transparency. Cancel the hiding.”

Sayer also called for greater transparency across municipal spending, a stronger focus on community organizations and a more unified approach from Ontario mayors in dealing with the provincial government.

The 2026 Barrie municipal election will take place Oct. 26.

Compass News contacted Tighe for comment but had received no response by publication time.

The post Mayoral candidates’ visions for homelessness & affordability appeared first on CompassNews.

Barrie celebrates opening of Lakehead University STEM Hub in downtown

Stephen J. Donkers — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 21:21:49 +0000

Barrie has officially entered a new era of post-secondary education.

Lakehead University and the City of Barrie celebrated the opening of the Lakehead University Barrie STEM Hub on Thursday, marking the establishment of the city’s first university campus.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony at the downtown facility brought together municipal, provincial and federal representatives, Lakehead officials and community leaders. This included Mayor Alex Nuttall, Deputy Mayor Robert Thomson, MPs John Brassard and Doug Shipley, MPPs Doug Downey and Andrea Khanjin, as well as members of Barrie city council.

The STEM Hub operates across two downtown locations at 24 Maple Ave., the former Barrie Transit Terminal, and 5 Ross St. The facilities comprise more than 26,000 square feet of laboratory and classroom space.

Students will receive hands-on education in engineering, mechatronics and computer science at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Lakehead University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Gillian Siddall says this is a huge step for both the university and the school.

“With the opening of the Barrie STEM Hub, we’re establishing the first university campus in Barrie – a history-making moment for the City of Barrie and for Lakehead University,” she said.

“At its heart, the STEM Hub is about creating opportunities for students. It’s about building stronger connections between education and industry and ensuring that talented young people have the opportunity to learn, stay, build careers and contribute to the communities around them.”

The first class of students will begin at the STEM Hub on Sept. 8, with the facility expected to eventually bring upwards of 800 students, researchers and employees into downtown Barrie.

Nuttall said the city has long recognized the importance of giving local students access to post-secondary education without having to leave the community.

“Over the last decade or over a decade ago, Barrie identified the need for university presence in our community in order to give our young people the opportunity to realize their dreams,” he said.

“As one of Ontario’s fastest growing cities, we recognize the importance of providing local access to post-secondary education and creating more opportunities for residents to learn, work and build their futures here at home. Today that vision is becoming a reality.”

Nuttall added that the STEM Hub is not just a new opportunity for students, calling it an investment in Barrie’s future.

“The Lakehead University-Barrie STEM Hub represents far more than a new educational facility,” he said.

“It’s an investment in talent, an investment in innovation and opportunity. It creates a pathway for students to pursue in-demand careers right here in Barrie while helping local employers access that skilled and talented workforce they need to grow and succeed.”

Downey said the project represents an important investment in skills development and the future of the community.

“This is very personal for all of us,” he said.

“This is at the intersection for the province about skills development, about science, technology, engineering and math. It’s about bringing the best of the best right here in the heart of Barrie.”

Thomson said the university presence will give students an opportunity to pursue their education close to home.

“The Barrie STEM Hub will create opportunities for students,” he said. “It builds community.”

The post Barrie celebrates opening of Lakehead University STEM Hub in downtown appeared first on CompassNews.

Ground broken on 31-unit transitional housing project

Stephen J. Donkers — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 21:43:39 +0000

Construction is underway on a new transitional housing project in Barrie’s south end.

Officials held a groundbreaking ceremony on July 11 at Mapleview Community Church for the church’s 31-unit supportive housing development at 300 Mapleview Dr. W.

The three-storey building will feature 31 bachelor apartments, including five fully accessible units. It will operate in partnership with Hollyhomes Corp. Ltd.

First announced in August 2025, the team behind the project intends to provide stable housing and support services for residents experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. Tenants will have access to wraparound supports, including mental health services, job-readiness programming and spiritual care, to help them transition to permanent housing.

Mayor Alex Nuttall said the project highlights the impact community partnerships can have in addressing housing needs.

“The groundbreaking of 31 new supportive housing units at Mapleview Community Church demonstrates how community partnerships can deliver economical and effective housing solutions,” he said.

“This project is a great example of creating meaningful impact through thoughtful investment while providing much-needed supportive housing for residents in Barrie.”

The City of Barrie is contributing $3.05 million to the development through its Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan.

Mapleview Community Church initiated the project as part of its commitment to supporting vulnerable members of the community. Announcing the development last year, Pastor Jay Davis said the initiative reflects the church’s mission of walking alongside people in need while helping them move toward healing, stability and permanent housing.

The post Ground broken on 31-unit transitional housing project appeared first on CompassNews.

Second candidate jumps into Barrie mayoral race

Stephen J. Donkers — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:16:12 +0000

Then there were two.

Managing director of Redwood Communities and local realtor Tanya Saari has launched her campaign for mayor of Barrie, becoming the second candidate to enter the race for the city’s top political office.

Saari is seeking to unseat incumbent Mayor Alex Nuttall, who announced in May that he will seek a second term in the 2026 municipal election.

Saari has previous political experience, having twice run for Barrie city council in Ward 3. She was a candidate in the 2018 municipal election and again in the 2020 byelection following the resignation of former Coun. Doug Shipley. Shipley was elected as the Conservative MP for Barrie–Springwater–Oro-Medonte in 2019.

She later ran against Shipley in the 2021 federal election as the Liberal candidate for Barrie–Springwater–Oro-Medonte.

Saari said she entered the mayoral race because she believes residents need options as Barrie continues to grow and faces major decisions in how to run the city.

“The simple answer is that I believe Barrie deserves a choice,” she said.

“Barrie is growing quickly, we’re making significant financial decisions, and we’re facing complex challenges around housing, infrastructure, affordability and community safety.”

Saari said she has seen positive changes in the city, including new investment and development, but also hears residents raising concerns about affordability, traffic, infrastructure and how decisions are made at city hall.

“I believe residents deserve the opportunity to hear different ideas, compare different approaches and decide what kind of leadership they want for the future of Barrie,” she said.

Saari said her background in housing, community development, business, finance, real estate and the non-profit sector has shaped her approach to leadership.

“I don’t believe leadership is about being the best. I believe it’s about bringing the right people together,” she said.

Her campaign priorities include what she calls “honest affordability,” which would provide residents with a focus on taxes, fees, debt, reserves, user rates and future costs.

Saari is also campaigning on improving transparency at city hall, increasing public engagement, addressing community safety concerns, supporting responsible growth and ensuring that core services such as road maintenance, snow clearing, sidewalks and parks remain a priority.

She said one of Barrie’s biggest challenges is making sure the city’s rapid growth is matched with the infrastructure and services needed to support residents.

“We’re growing. We need more housing; we want new investment, new jobs,” she said.

“But we also need the roads, infrastructure, parks and services to keep up.”

On homelessness, mental health and addictions, Saari said solutions must focus on partnerships and proven approaches, including supportive housing.

“My experience in housing has shown me that people are experiencing homelessness for many different reasons,” she said.

“That’s why there isn’t one solution that works for everyone.”

Saari said a future administration under her leadership would focus on bringing the right partners together and supporting solutions that have been shown to work.

Barrie voters will choose their next mayor, councillors and school board trustees on Oct. 26, 2026.

The post Second candidate jumps into Barrie mayoral race appeared first on CompassNews.

City unveils first rendering of new Letitia Heights library branch

Stephen J. Donkers — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 23:04:40 +0000

The Barrie Public Library is beginning a new chapter.

The City of Barrie has released the first rendering of the future Letitia Heights branch of the Barrie Public Library, offering a glimpse of the long-awaited addition to the city’s library system.

Mayor Alex Nuttall, Deputy Mayor Robert Thomson, Coun. Amy Courser, Counc. Nigussie Nigussie, and Barrie Public Library CEO Lauren Jessop unveiled the rendering Tuesday at the library’s future site. The new branch will sit in a commercial plaza at 420 Leacock Dr. on the city’s northwest side.

The new 4,800-square-foot branch will occupy the former O’Hara’s Public House space and is intended to expand access to library services for residents in the Letitia Heights community.

Thomson, who represents the area on council, said the branch is a significant investment.

“This is very important to this community,” he said.

“It is an important investment in northwest Barrie in literacy, lifelong learning, connection and creative spaces where people of all ages feel welcome and supported.”

Nuttall said one of council’s priorities early in the current term was bringing city services to neighbourhoods facing greater economic challenges.

“One of the things that we worked on very early on as a council was to try to get city services into neighbourhoods that had income inequality in comparison with some other neighbourhoods around the city,” he said.

“Some of that work has focused on recreation and opening up existing gymnasiums in schools, and in this case, it’s about putting a library smack in the centre of one of our older neighbourhoods – one that I believe has lacked services over the years when it comes to access to a library and, certainly, all of the things that come with the Barrie Public Library.”

Nuttall also credited Thomson with helping to bring the project to fruition.

“Deputy mayor, thank you for pushing this through and making sure that it happened,” he said.

“This is one of two libraries that are in the works right now, but this is the one that really hits home,” Nuttall said. “The deputy mayor and I both grew up in neighbourhoods just like this, and that’s why it’s so important to make sure services are available in communities like this.”

Jessop said the new branch comes at a time when Barrie’s growing population is increasing demand for community gathering spaces.

“As Barrie continues to grow, so does the need for community spaces that bring people together,” she said.

“This new location supports the library’s strategic vision to expand access to services, meet residents where they are and create vibrant, inclusive spaces that respond to the needs of a growing city.”

The Letitia Heights branch is expected to offer literacy support, programs, Wi-Fi, computers and community space.

Another library branch is in the works, which will be in the future southeast recreation complex.

The post City unveils first rendering of new Letitia Heights library branch appeared first on CompassNews.

Barrie to plant thousands of trees following 2025 ice storm

Stephen J. Donkers — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:22:38 +0000

One tree at a time.

The City of Barrie plans to plant roughly 6,200 trees over the next two years following the major ice storm of 2025.

The March 2025 ice storm damaged approximately 46,000 municipal trees and forced the removal of more than 5,000 street and park trees. In response, city council approved a replacement planting program last June aimed at restoring the city’s tree canopy.

Around 1,400 trees have been planted this spring in parks, natural areas and along street boulevards. Planting will continue over the next three weeks, with more work scheduled for the fall and spring of 2027.

Mayor Alex Nuttall and Deputy Mayor Robert Thomson announced the initiative at Leacock Park in the city’s northwest end. Nuttall said the newly planted trees represent an investment in the city’s future.

“Recovery is not just about cleaning up after a storm, it’s about taking meaningful action to leave our community stronger than it was before,” he said.

“As a community we came together, we supported each other, we helped each other remove trees, get out of driveways and restore power.”

The overall cost of the city’s ice storm recovery is estimated at about $30 million, with roughly $2.1 million earmarked for the tree replacement program.

Deputy Mayor Robert Thomson said the storm left a lasting mark on Barrie, but praised the community-wide response that followed.

“While the damage was extensive, so was the response,” he said.

“City crews, contractors, community partners, residents came together immediately following the storm.”

The replanting program is aimed at creating a more resilient urban forest. Barrie plants between 600 and 800 trees each year, making the current initiative one of the largest tree-planting efforts in the city’s history.

Once the program is completed in 2027, the city expects to have more trees than it did before the 2025 ice storm.

The post Barrie to plant thousands of trees following 2025 ice storm appeared first on CompassNews.

Ward 3 candidate Bryan Jones sees a bright future for Barrie

Stephen J. Donkers — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 16:36:54 +0000

Nothing but potential.

That’s how Ward 3 candidate Bryan Jones describes Barrie’s future.

“I look around this city and all I see is enormous potential,” he said.

“Barrie is a great city. Everywhere I go, I see opportunities. We just have to unlock that potential.”

A first-time candidate, Jones moved to Barrie from Pickering four years ago, although his family’s roots in the city stretch back decades. He says it did not take long for him and his wife Stephanie to develop a strong connection to Barrie and the Ward 3 community. This bond is what ultimately motivated him to seek a city council seat.

“What struck me was the sense of community and engagement with my neighbours,” he said.

“People actually talk to each other here. They get involved and they care about what happens in their city. They want to see Barrie continue to improve.”

Jones believes his professional experience and community involvement would allow him to be an effective advocate for Ward 3 residents.

“Loving this city as much as I do makes me want to give back,” he said.

“My job on council would be to bring residents’ concerns forward and make sure they’re heard. As far as I’m concerned, if I’m elected, the residents of Ward 3 would be my bosses. I’m accountable to them.”

Jones works as a prosecutor and says the role has equipped him with the skills and experience needed to serve effectively on council.

“The more I looked at the challenges facing Barrie, the more I realized they align with the skills and experience I’ve built throughout my career,” he said.

“As a prosecutor, I’ve spent years dealing with complex issues and finding practical solutions.”

With Barrie growing rapidly, Jones sees a future marked by thriving neighbourhoods, a vibrant waterfront and safe, family-friendly parks.

“This city has so much personality,” he said.

“It’s not a cookie-cutter town – it’s a true gem.”

At the same time, Jones says homelessness, addiction and public safety are among the biggest challenges facing the city. He believes residents and businesses want to see progress and says those issues can be addressed through strong governance and economic growth.

He sees major opportunities emerging from future employment lands in Barrie’s annexed area and supports Mayor Alex Nuttall’s efforts to attract defence manufacturing jobs to the city.

“Nobody ever went wrong with getting more jobs,” Jones said.

“More jobs mean more income for Barrie, more infrastructure and more resources. I support Mayor Nuttall’s efforts to build a stronger economy.”

While canvassing, Jones has been surprised by the response from residents.

“What shocked me was the positivity. People have been welcoming and I’ve really enjoyed the conversations,” he said.

His approach to meeting voters, he says, is straightforward.

“I say to people, ‘If I get in, you’re my boss. What do you want me to do? What’s important to you?’”

Jones says each conversation has reinforced his belief that Barrie has a bright future.

“The more I get to know Barrie, the more I love it,” he said.

Jones is facing Ben Hughes and current Ward 4 Coun. Amy Courser in the race for Ward 3. Incumbent Coun. Ann-Marie Kungl announced in May that she would not seek re-election.

Barrie residents will head to the polls on Oct. 26.

The post Ward 3 candidate Bryan Jones sees a bright future for Barrie appeared first on CompassNews.

Lakehead STEM hubs move closer to completion in downtown Barrie

Stephen J. Donkers — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:50:13 +0000

Progress continues on Lakehead University’s future STEM hubs in downtown Barrie.

The City of Barrie says interior construction at the 24 Maple Ave. site is nearing completion, while work at 5 Ross St. is advancing steadily.

At Maple Avenue, interior construction is reaching completion, with millwork, vestibule framing and window installations in progress. Mechanical and electrical systems are being commissioned, while lab equipment and furniture continue to arrive ahead of the hub’s opening. The city says exterior work should continue through the summer.

Whereas on Ross Street, demolition work is complete and framing for new classroom entrances and interior partitions is nearly finished. Mechanical and electrical rough-ins continue as crews carry out additional installation and coordination work throughout the building.

In April, Mayor Alex Nuttall toured the locations and talked about the progress so far.

“This isn’t just about a university improving the private sector, improving the way the government and education and business work together,” he said. “It’s also about our young people having access to education in an affordable way and one that’s going to put them onto that path of hope and opportunity.”

In late 2024, the City of Barrie and Lakehead University announced plans to establish a STEM hub in the former Barrie Transit Terminal at 24 Maple Ave. This past winter, they officially added a second hub location at 5 Ross St. to their plans.

The Maple Avenue hub will house specialized teaching and research labs focused on robotics, motors, instrumentation, machines and mechatronics. The Ross Street hub will feature flexible classrooms, collaborative learning spaces, student services, social areas and graduate student offices.

The two hubs are slated to open this fall and will accommodate more than 700 students over their first five years.

The post Lakehead STEM hubs move closer to completion in downtown Barrie appeared first on CompassNews.