Cleanup crews and police were on site Sept. 11 after notices of action were issued the day before.

Nuttall said 36 of 44 people living at the encampment have accepted local support services. He emphasized the state of emergency as the right move to address growing safety concerns.

“It’s important that we acted, and we acted in the way that we have because we take this very seriously – we are really trying to focus on moving forward out of this emergency,” he said.

The mayor pointed to recent violence and health hazards as justification, citing a double homicide where dismembered body parts were found, high E. coli readings leaking into Kempenfelt Bay from Dyments Creek, multiple fires, and weapons and drugs discovered in tents.

“These are signs that we are in an emergency,” he said.

Nuttall cautioned that eliminating all encampments across the city will take time.

“It will take months to do this correctly,” he said.

“There are quite a lot of people living homeless here, so this will take some time to work through – day by day, person by person.”

He added that people seeking support will continue to have access to mental health care, addiction treatment, housing programs and employment assistance.

“You will see progression across the city and we will ensure no encampments are left and that folks who need more help will get it,” Nuttall said.

The mayor said the response since the declaration has been positive so far.

“People have been waiting for the help to be given to individuals who need it, but they’ve also been waiting for order to be restored on the streets of our city,” he said.

“It’s something that requires a lot of work, coordination and resources. The goal is to keep our city a place where the community feels safe and strong.”

The post Progress made on encampments since Barrie declared state of emergency appeared first on CompassNews.

A proactive bike patrol resulted in two arrests after an officer was informed that two people were loitering near a business on Collier Street.

Police learned that both people were wanted by the Barrie Police Service on outstanding arrest warrants, the individuals, a male and female, were taken into custody and both found to be in possession of fentanyl. 

The male, 36, was also found to be in possession of cocaine and female, 28, was found to be in possession of suspected heroin. 

Both are facing charges and the female was found to be breaching a court-imposed release order. 

Investigation continues into May 6 assault

Barrie Police are continuing the investigation into an assault that was reported just before 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Police responded to the report of a woman who had been assaulted by an unknown individual while walking on the sidewalk.

The suspect is described as a white male in his early 20s, approximately 6” tall, and police are asking for anyone with information to contact the Criminal Investigations Unit.

The post Barrie police docket: week of May 5 appeared first on CompassNews.

Residents are being encouraged to provide feedback and suggestions by completing a
survey. The survey asks residents to share how they currently use library services and
asks them to rank the services, programs, and collections they would like to see
featured in the new branch.

Barrie Public Library CEO Lauren Jessop said she and other library officials are looking
forward to hearing from residents.

“We’re very excited to start planning for a new location,” she said.

“When planning a new facility, it is very important to hear from residents. While many of
the services we offer across locations are similar, we can curate collections and plan for
programs, etc. that are unique to this community.”

She noted that she’s encouraged by the strong response from residents so far.

“After only a couple of days, we already have over 400 responses. We haven’t analyzed
the data yet, but residents seem to be excited about the prospect of a new location in
their neighbourhood.”

The library has partnered with Botree Inc., an Oro-Medonte based organization that is
helping to prepare, distribute, and analyze the survey, while also supporting the
facilitation of group discussions with residents.

Jessop said she is especially hopeful to hear more from the city’s youth.

“While we want to hear from everyone, with over 5,000 youth in ward 5 alone, we are
really hoping to hear from youth voices,” she said.

“We have engaged with local schools, through principals and school librarians, and we
are planning to put information about the survey in daycares, doctor’s offices, places
like that.”

In late 2024, Barrie city council tasked the library with creating a business case for the
northwest branch. In early 2025, council approved funding for planning, including
design, community input, and a demographic study for 26,000 residents.

The library is collaborating with the city’s facilities department to secure a location and
handle engineering and design. The branch will offer literacy support, programs, Wi-Fi,
computers, and community space, modelled after the Holly boutique library in Barrie’s
southwest end.

Residents have until June 16, 2025, to share feedback and win prizes. The online
survey can be found at barrielibrary.ca or paper copies at any library location.

The post Barrie Public Library seeks community input on proposed northwest branch appeared first on CompassNews.

The executive order directs city staff to report to the general committee with a proposed framework, budget, and authority structure for the trust, with the goal of having it operational by 2026.

The initial focus will be on protecting land near Little Lake, as well as other natural areas across Barrie and its surrounding communities.

“By taking this step, we’re ensuring that our city grows with nature in mind, not at its expense. By creating a conservation trust, we’re making a long-term, concrete commitment to the future of our natural environment, ensuring these lands remain undeveloped for future generations to enjoy,” Nuttall said.

The conservation trust will operate as an independent board responsible for maintaining the ecological integrity of the protected lands in perpetuity.

According to the order, the initial board members will include Nuttall, Deputy Mayor Robert Thomson, Councillor Ann-Marie Kungl, Councillor Nigussie Nigussie, and Councillor Gary Harvey.

City staff will also explore the possibility of expanding the board to include the Mayor of Springwater and public representatives.

Staff have been tasked with identifying and prioritizing parcels of land for protection, and will report back with specific locations and proposed designations.

The executive order is designed not only to preserve greenspace and enhance public access to nature.

The move comes amid growing concerns about development pressure in fast-growing areas like Barrie and highlights a broader trend of municipalities stepping up to protect their natural heritage.

“This is about more than conservation,” Nuttall said. “It’s about creating a legacy.”

The full report from city staff is expected to be presented to the general committee later this year. If approved, the conservation trust could begin acquiring and protecting land as early as 2026.

The post Barrie moves to protect green space with new conservation trust initiative appeared first on CompassNews.

The townships of Oro-Medonte and Springwater are among the 169 additional municipalities that will receive the power starting on May 1.

The province says the move will allow the municipalities to more easily “deliver on provincial priorities, such as building more homes, transit and other infrastructure across Ontario.”

The post Two Barrie-area municipalities granted strong mayor powers appeared first on CompassNews.

Skyline, a Guelph-based capital management firm, has pledged to fund the installation of a 150-foot Canadian flag along Highway 400, at the city’s Emergency Services Campus on Fairview Road. Originally budgeted at $250,000 from Barrie’s Reinvestment Reserve, the project will now proceed without the use of city funds. 

Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall said he applauded Skyline for its generous donation. 

“I was delighted and grateful when Skyline offered to cover the entire cost of the project,” he said. 

“This gesture shows Skyline’s commitment to this community, and we are incredibly thankful. We did receive feedback from residents, and while it was wildly in favour of the  flag, there were concerns with the cost. Thanks to their ongoing commitment to Barrie,  this flag will fly high in time for Canada Day.” 

The company is currently leading the development of a multi-residential project on Grove Street West in Barrie’s north end, which will add 541 rental units — including 32 designated as affordable housing — by 2027. Skyline co-founder and CEO Jason Castellan said in a news release that the decision to fund the Canadian flag project was made as a symbol of national unity.

“We recognize this project as a powerful representation of Canadian spirit and identity, and we’re honoured to contribute to a meaningful initiative that will endure for generations,” he said. “Skyline is a proudly all-Canadian company. In each community we serve, we are supporting Canadian families, businesses, jobs, and the economy by providing great places to live, work, and shop.” 

Along with covering the full cost of the flag project, Skyline will support Barrie in managing logistics, such as selecting the site and securing all required approvals.

The post Skyline to fund 150-foot Canada flag in Barrie appeared first on CompassNews.

On Feb. 26, a public meeting at Barrie City Hall addressed a rezoning application for 545-565 Big Bay Point Road, located between Montgomery Drive and Ashford Drive. The proposal includes two six-storey residential buildings with a total of 456 rental apartments.

The proposed site is currently zoned for single-detached residential use. Applicant DBZ Big Bay Twins is requesting a rezoning to permit residential apartment dwellings, along with special provisions.

Coun. Sergio Morales, who represents this area of Barrie, told Compass News that the proposed plan will have a major impact.

“The magnitude of this application is significant for the city,” he said.

“This project is so significant in size it would affect rental rates in the city, in a manner favourable to renters, by adding such large supply of purpose-built housing units into a Barrie rental market that has been lacking them for over a decade.”

He emphasized that proper design of the project is crucial for the local community.

“So far, this has been easier to achieve compared to traditional applications because, this is the first infill application outside the downtown core where an applicant purchased the entire block, which makes it easier to get these things right,” he said.

Eight single-detached houses are currently located on the proposed site. Along with the 456 rental apartments, the project plans to have 346 parking spaces, and allocate 10 per cent of the units for affordable housing.

Morales also stated that meeting the 10 per cent goal is critical.

“This is a serious development proposal, from a serious applicant, with the potential to make a serious impact in increasing our rental housing stock.”

No public comments were made during the meeting.

The post Hundreds of rental apartments proposed in southeast Barrie appeared first on CompassNews.

The post Barrie mayor uses strong mayor powers to implement anti-U.S. tariffs response appeared first on CompassNews.

The directive follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to enforce a 25 percent tariff on all Canadian imports, which took effect at midnight on Tuesday, March 4. The sweeping trade measure marks a major escalation in economic tensions between the two countries.

“Effective immediately, I have instructed city staff to remove all United States of America flags from all city-owned facilities,” Nutall announced. “There will be no American flags flying at any city facilities.”

The mayor emphasized that the move is not intended as an act of disrespect but rather as a statement of solidarity with Canadians affected by the tariffs. He stated that residents should not have to see the U.S. flag displayed on municipal properties during a period of heightened tensions.

“The reality is that we live in Canada, we’re an independent country, self-determination and freedom,” he said. “The only flag that should be flying at our facilities is the Canadian flag.”

According to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Barrie ranks 19th out of 41 Canadian cities most affected by American tariffs. Over 90% of Barrie’s exports, valued at more than $766 million, go to the United States.

Nuttall stated that if the tariff tensions are resolved, he would be open to reinstating the U.S. flags.

“If there is a time where we get through these difficulties and the relationship is restored, then we can determine at a point if it’s appropriate to put them back up,’ he said.

The post Barrie mayor orders removal of U.S. flags from city-owned properties appeared first on CompassNews.

The project, planned for 149, 151, and 153 Dunlop Street East, includes a building of up  to 25 storeys with 160 residential units, ground-floor commercial space, and 135 parking  spots. 

Dozens of locals attended the meeting, with many residents of the nearby Bayshore  Landing condos expressing unease about the development. Resident Ian Rowe stated  that the submitted reports on the proposal confirmed his belief that the site is unsuitable  for intensive development. 

“It will obliterate one of three public views of Kempenfelt Bay,” he said. “The proximity to  the land and resulting high water table restricts the ability to adequately utilize  underground parking.”

Rowe also said he has concerns about an increase in traffic. 

“The traffic issues include the street is one very steep hill at an intersection that is  often difficult to climb during the winter months.” 

Diane Vetter expressed concerns that the proposed building would be an eyesore for  those who appreciate the waterfront and questioned whether the site would be better  suited for a different type of development. 

“In front of you, you would see this 25 storey tower sticking up like a sore thumb,” she  said.  

“What about an environmental science facility? What about a new home for the  MacLaren Art Centre? What about a Barrie Northshore Centre?” 

Jelani Bartlett supports the project but believes some adjustments are needed, including  suggesting the inclusion of car-sharing programs if the parking ratio is low. 

“For every four to five parking spots short, one must provide a car share parking spot as  this would better help with understanding the reduction in parking,” he said. 

David Riley of Blackthorn Development Corp. stated that the site has been designated  for high-density development, with a maximum height of 25 storeys under city bylaw. 

“In terms of height and density, we are looking at exactly what’s contemplated by city  policy and emerging zoning,” he said. 

Coun. Craig Nixon, who represents the area of the proposed site, said that while it’s a big project, listening to residents is vital. 

“This is an ambitious project,” he said. “This location is very near and dear to the hearts  of a lot of people.” 

Mayor Alex Nuttall said he and Coun. Nixon could investigate scheduling a meeting with  Bayshore Landing residents to discuss the project further.

The post Residents raise concerns about proposed mix-use downtown building appeared first on CompassNews.