Incumbent Coun. Bryn Hamilton is seeking a second term, while challenger Georgy Kapustin is running for the council seat. William Cadeau, who is also running in Ward 10, did not respond to Compass News in time for publication.

Hamilton, who has called Ward 10 home for 46 years, said she wants to build on the progress made during her first term while continuing to address residents’ concerns.

“I decided to run again because I believe there’s still a lot we can accomplish,” she said.

“I genuinely care about the people who live here and the direction our city is heading. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished over the past four years, both in Ward 10 and across the city.”

She said her priorities for a second term include responsible growth, safer neighbourhoods and financial accountability. During her term, she has worked with residents and city staff on approximately 20 traffic-related reviews and wants to continue pursuing improvements around school zones, speeding and busy intersections.

Hamilton identified traffic safety in south Barrie as an issue requiring greater attention, particularly along Prince William Way and The Queensway.

She said roads, transit, parks, schools and recreation facilities must be coordinated with development approvals, while established neighbourhoods must also be considered.

“Ward 10 continues to grow, and we need to make sure our roads, parks, recreation facilities and other infrastructure keep up,” she said.

“We also can’t lose sight of our existing neighbourhoods and the challenges residents are already experiencing. Traffic and road safety will continue to be a big focus for me. Growth isn’t just about building more homes – it’s about building functional neighbourhoods where people can get around safely, access services and enjoy a good quality of life.”

Kapustin, a Ward 10 resident who also works part-time as an Uber driver throughout Barrie, said his experiences on local roads have reinforced his concerns about congestion and transportation planning.

He said Barrie needs housing but should not measure growth solely by the number of units approved.

“Council needs to examine those consequences before approving projects, not after problems begin affecting existing residents,” he said.

Kapustin’s priorities include community safety, traffic congestion, winter snow removal and protecting established residential neighbourhoods while ensuring responsible growth.

“Barrie needs housing, but growth should not be measured simply by the number of housing units approved,” he said.

“We also need to consider how residents will get around, whether public transit can serve them reliably, and whether essential services are within walking distance. When public transit is inconvenient and everyday necessities are not available nearby, people have little choice but to rely on cars.”

Kapustin wants increased police visibility, stronger traffic enforcement, safer road designs and three rapid bus lines supported by connector routes.

“I want to see greater police presence in our communities and more consistent traffic enforcement to address speeding and dangerous driving,” he said.

“Road design should also help discourage excessive speeds and reduce the risk of collisions. To address growing traffic congestion, I would champion the introduction of three rapid bus lines, supported by loop and connector routes.”

For new high-density developments, he proposes a 700-metre walkability standard for essential services, ground-floor commercial space and more green space and play areas for families.

Both candidates support coordinating growth with infrastructure, but Hamilton emphasizes her experience and work with residents, while Kapustin proposes more prescriptive development requirements and expanded transportation and safety measures.

Voters will elect Ward 10’s councillor for the next four-year council term on Oct. 26.

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Bryan Jones, Ben Hughes and Ryan Rijo are running for the council seat, alongside current Ward 4 Coun. Amy Courser.

The 2026 Barrie municipal election marks a significant change for Ward 3. The ward’s boundaries have been expanded and now incorporate a majority of the former Ward 4, while Ward 4 has been redrawn in south Barrie.

Jones, a prosecutor, said residents have told him traffic safety – specifically around local schools – is a major concern.

“Our ward needs someone who will listen, advocate for residents and champion their concerns at council,” he said.

“As I continue speaking with people across the ward, I’ve heard that traffic safety, particularly around our schools, is a major concern for our community. Through my experience as a prosecutor, I can effectively champion the installation of red-light cameras around our schools to help keep our kids safe.”

Jones also points to Barrie’s rapid growth as an issue for the next council.

“Our city is in a period of transition,” he said.

“Growth offers both opportunities and challenges, especially in Ward 3. I share the same goals as my neighbours: a city that is livable and has the amenities and infrastructure needed to ensure Barrie still feels like home.”

He said growth must be accompanied by attention to everyday services.

“Growth, if managed properly, can create the opportunities we want for ourselves and our families,” he said.

“A truly great city excels at the basics. That’s why I will work to make sure snow is cleared properly, potholes are filled and the city’s basic services are delivered at the level residents expect. If elected, I see Ward 3 residents as my bosses, so I want to champion the issues that matter to them. That’s what they deserve.”

Hughes, a local electrician, said his decision to run was driven in part by concerns about keeping infrastructure and transportation systems aligned with population growth.

“I understand why Barrie is pushing for growth,” he said.

“I don’t want that push for growth to become growth for growth’s sake. I want to make sure we’re properly growing our infrastructure and transportation systems at the same time, so we aren’t overwhelming what we currently have.”

Hughes also said he wants to support local businesses and strengthen employment opportunities.

“I’d also like to help businesses in Ward 3 and throughout Barrie grow and flourish,” he said. “I think a stronger job market helps residents through hard times and makes our community even stronger during good times.”

He also identified roads, sidewalks and snow removal as priorities.

“People are paying a lot to live in Barrie, and I think they have a right to expect their roads, sidewalks, snow removal and other basic services to be well maintained,” he said.

Rijo, a Barrie Baycats player and who previously ran for council in 2022, said his longstanding connection to the area motivated him to enter the race.

“I grew up in Ward 3, and my parents still live in the home I grew up in,” he said.
“This community is home to me, and I want to help shape its future.”

Rijo said his priorities include responsible growth, safer neighbourhoods, infrastructure and affordability.

“As Barrie grows, our roads, emergency services and infrastructure need to keep pace,” he said.

“Residents shouldn’t have to wait for problems to develop before we address them.”

He also pointed to the new annexed lands from Springwater and Oro-Medonte townships as big focus for him.

“The annexed lands are one of the biggest opportunities – and responsibilities – facing Ward 3,” he said.

“We need to make sure development is thoughtful and respects the residents, farms and rural communities already there. Residents should be involved early, not simply informed after decisions have been made.”

Compass News contacted Courser for comment but had received no response by publication time. Residents will elect the next Ward 3 councillor on Oct. 26, along with the mayor, other city councillors and school board trustees.

The post Candidates vie for newly redrawn Ward 3 council seat in Barrie appeared first on CompassNews.

The move is intended to encourage new housing construction and improve affordability across the city.

Council approved the change Sept. 16, with the reduced rates taking effect Sept. 17.
The lower charges will also apply retroactively to building permits issued on or after March 30.

According to city officials, reducing development costs is intended to encourage more residential construction, increase the housing supply and create more options for current and future residents.

Mayor Alex Nuttall told Compass News the move gives more Barrie families a chance at home ownership.

“By cutting residential development charges by 50 per cent, we are taking real action to increase the supply of housing and give Barrie families more opportunities to own a home,” he said.

“When we lower the cost of building, we also create more opportunity for the skilled tradespeople who are working to build those homes. This is how we grow our housing supply while strengthening the local economy and making sure Barrie families can continue to build their future right here.”

The change comes as Barrie continues to plan for significant population growth and increased demand for housing.

Barrie is projected to have a population of 298,000 by 2051, with several areas around the city planned for intensification.

The reduction is part of the city’s broader efforts to support housing development and increase the supply of homes in the community.

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