Mayor Nuttall declares a state of emergency to address encampments

Stephen J. Donkers — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 19:53:31 +0000

Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall has declared a state of emergency to address the city’s growing homelessness encampments, citing escalating health, safety and environmental risks that he said have reached a “breaking point.”

The announcement came Tuesday morning outside the Barrie courthouse on Mulcaster Street, where tents and makeshift shelters have lined the sidewalks. Nuttall was joined by local MPs John Brassard and Doug Shipley, Deputy Mayor Robert Thomson, and councillors Clare Riepma, Craig Nixon, Nigussie Nigussie and Bryn Hamilton.

“Barrie residents have had enough,” Nuttall said.

“Since day one I have been clear that encampments are not acceptable in the City of Barrie. We are here to help those who want help and there are resources available today. If you refuse that help you cannot stay in these encampments.”

The declaration gives the city expanded authority under Ontario’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act to clear camps, hire contractors, and coordinate with outside agencies.

A task force, chaired by city CAO Michael Prowse or his designate, will be formed to coordinate the response to encampments, drug use and social services.

The city is also asking the County of Simcoe to open more shelter beds and review existing supports, including the option of returning unhoused individuals to their home communities.

Barrie will also press Ontario for more funding to expand shelter and social services.

The move follows a series of high-profile incidents tied to encampments, including a double homicide off Victoria Street and Anne Street South and high E. coli contamination levels in Dyments Creek which connects to Kempenfelt Bay. Cleanup is expected to take months and cost several million dollars. Other problems cited by the mayor include arson, overdoses, theft, trespassing, open drug use, assaults and discarded needles in parks.

“While I support council’s plan to deliver new space in the HART Hub, we have simply run out of time,” Nuttall said.

“The City of Barrie did not have control over this emergency until now.”

The HART Hub (Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment) supports the treatment and recovery of individuals who experience homelessness and addiction issues.

Coun. Nixon, who represents the downtown area, said the state of emergency is a needed step.

“I support the actions of Mayor Nuttall, who I believe is taking the necessary steps to assist those in need and to restore safe neighbourhoods for those hardworking, taxpaying citizens who deserve better – this is not simply putting a label on a problem,” Nixon said.

Since 2023, Barrie has tried a mix of shuttle services, housing support programs and partnerships with the county and province. Earlier this year, the city and county cleared the Berczy Park encampment, with 75 per cent of those displaced later finding housing or entering services.

Before becoming Barrie’s mayor, Nuttall raised concerns about the opioid crisis during his time as a federal MP.

In December 2018, as the MP for Barrie–Springwater–Oro-Medonte, he called for an emergency debate in the House of Commons, urging the elimination of barriers to recovery services.

In March 2019, Nuttall appeared before Barrie council to request a series of actions aimed at tackling the opioid crisis locally.

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Ford supports mayors’ request for more power to deal with homeless encampments

Sarah MacFarlane — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 14:06:42 +0000

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says his government is “ready to help” municipalities deal with homeless encampments in their communities.

The comments after QP Briefing reported that the province’s big city mayors caucus is debating a motion asking for the provincial and federal governments to seek out intervenor status in cases that challenge municipalities’ powers to mange encampments. The motion would also call for more supportive housing for those facing homelessness, and mandatory treatment for people with severe mental health and addiction issues.

“I’ve spoken to a lot of large city mayors, and they’re all fed up. They want more power to deal with these encampments, and we’re ready to help,” Ford told reporters on Wednesday during an unrelated announcement in Toronto.

“We need to shelter these people. Once they get in the shelter and they’re healthy, then we can get them gainful employment, and they get on their feet and start moving forward like everyone else.”

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, who joined Ford at the media event, agreed the motion is necessary but said shelters are financially inefficient and asked the province to come forward with permanent housing solutions, which she says would cost less and offer greater stability.

“I support the Big City Mayor’s caucus in their request. I am on their whatsApp group, ‘OBCM 2024’ and I’m very familiar with the challenges everyone is facing. It costs about $7,000 a month for someone to stay in a shelter, but only $1,000 a month for permanent housing,” Chow said.

“They [homeless people] don’t want to be soaking wet or cold. It’s better for everyone if we address this crisis.”

In response to a question about the part of the motion that asks for mandatory treatment for severe addiction and mental health issues, Ford stopped short of making a commitment, saying only that the idea can be considered.

“We have to look into it pretty deep, but I’m always open to any idea,” Ford noted.

He added that “My Minister [Michael] Tibollo is a big fan of it, but we have to look at it pretty deeply.”

The office of the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions did not reply to a request for comment by deadline.

Minister of Health Sylvia Jones has never completely ruled out involuntary treatment, but has expressed concerns about its efficacy in the past.

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Mayor Nuttall declares a state of emergency to address encampments

Ford supports mayors’ request for more power to deal with homeless encampments