The Government of Canada refers to this project as the Regulatory and Security Science (RSS) Main project. It says the project’s eventual facilities will accommodate 275 scientists and researchers working in 25 science programs. Work done there will benefit the Canada Border Services Agency, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada.

The site in question sits on 2,000 acres of land on Fallowfield Road in Nepean and has three functional laboratories right now. The government built the existing facility in 1972, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has had jurisdiction there since its own creation in 1997.

‘Support high-quality-jobs’

The campus is in Ward 9 and local city councillor Sean Devine welcomes the announcement.

“This is a major investment in our community will support high-quality jobs, cutting-edge research, public health, food safety, emergency preparedness, and border security for decades to come,” Councillor Devine said on social media.

The government did not explain the exact functions of the new facilities, but said that they will “strengthen Canada’s food supply, enhance emergency preparedness and secure our borders…”

The project should contribute roughly $900 million to Canada’s NATO-related defence spending over the next 10 years. Canada reached its promised rate of 2 per cent of total GDP devoted to NATO-related spending earlier this year. NATO members are under an additional commitment to spend 5 per cent of total GDP on defence by 2035.

Ottawa launched what would become Laboratories Canada in the 2018 federal budget, in which it pledged $2.8 billion over five years to update our country’s ageing laboratory infrastructure. The 2024 budget added $900 million more to the initiative, which had since been stretched into a 25-year timeline.

The government says this phase of the RSS project will be operational by 2031.

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Morales said he decided to run again because he wants to build on what he considers to be the most effective council he has served on.

“This is the most collaborative, effective city council I have served on,” he said.

“There are a lot of major projects and policies I want to deliver for Ward 9 and work with my colleagues to deliver for Barrie as a whole.”

Among his priorities are advancing the planned multi-recreation centre and library branch at Huronia Road and McKay Road East, reviewing core municipal services and continuing efforts to address homelessness and drug-related issues.

Reflecting on his 12 years on council, Morales said he is proudest of helping shift the culture at city hall.

“I’m most proud of establishing a mindset of finding ways to get things done instead of finding excuses why it can’t or shouldn’t be done,” he said.

He pointed to bylaw enforcement, traffic-calming initiatives and improvements to Painswick Park as examples of work completed during his tenure.

Weingarten, a Ward 9 resident and local videographer, said rising property taxes and affordability concerns motivated him to enter the race.

“I was motivated by seeing the increases in our property taxes, and knowing that a great city like Barrie can do better for its residents,” he said.

“I also believe we deserve councillors who are easy to reach and will respond.”

If elected, he said he would work with council to keep tax increases to a minimum while ensuring residents have a stronger voice on planning and development decisions.

He said his door-to-door campaign has been a positive experience so far.

“As I’ve gone door to door, introducing myself to the residents of Ward 9, it’s been an amazing experience to meet so many of my neighbours,” he said.

“Nearly everyone has been inviting and open to talking. And it’s been great to share concerns and learn about others.”

Costello, who also lives in Ward 9, is making his second bid for council after an unsuccessful campaign in 2022.

He said his campaign is “in full swing” and that conversations with residents have centred on speeding, homelessness, drug use and what he sees as a lack of communication from city hall.

“There have been a number of concerns from the Ward 9 residents that I have spoken to,” he said.

“The major ones in Ward 9 are lack of communication from current council, speeding vehicles, homelessness and drug use.”

Costello said that if he wins, he will push for improvements to Barrie’s snow removal program.

“I would like to see a much improved snow removal program along with the installation of windrow plows added to our current snow plows,” he said.

“And of course much-improved communication.”

Barrie residents head to the polls on Oct. 26, 2026.

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