Carbon monoxide alarm requirements effective Jan. 1, 2026 
Starting January 1, 2026, changes to the Ontario Fire Code will require additional carbon monoxide alarms in houses and multi-unit residences with fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces or attached garages. These updates are being made across the province to improve household safety and prevent incidents caused by carbon monoxide exposure.
Barrie Fire encourages you to install the required alarms as soon as possible. In an owner-occupied residence, this is the homeowner’s responsibility. In a rental, this is the landlord’s responsibility.
For more information, visit barrie.ca/CarbonMonoxideAlarms.
Holiday hours for Barrie services 
The City of Barrie reminds residents of the following schedule changes and closures during the holiday season:
Recreation Centres: The Peggy Hill Team Community Centre, East Bayfield Community
Centre, and Allandale Recreation Centre will operate on the following schedule:
- December 24: Open 6 a.m.–12 p.m.
- December 25 and 26: Closed
- December 27 to 30: Normal operating hours
- December 31: Open 6 a.m.–12 p.m.
- January 1: Closed
Visit barrie.ca/RecDropins for drop-in schedules.
55+ Centres: The Allandale 55+ Centre and Parkview Centre will operate on the following
schedule:
- Parkview Centre: Closed on December 24, 25, 26, and January 1
- Allandale 55+ Centre: Closed at 11:30 a.m. on December 24 and 31, and closed on
December 25, 26 and January 1
Visit barrie.ca/seniors for more information.
City Hall: Closed at noon on December 24, closed on December 25 and 26, closed at noon on December 31, and closed on January 1.
Curbside Collection and Landfill:
- December 25: No curbside waste collection; collection moved to the next day for the
rest of the week - January 1: No curbside waste collection; collection moved to the next day for the rest of
the week - The landfill is closed on December 25, December 26 and January 1. The landfill will
close at 12 p.m. on December 24 and December 31.
Visit barrie.ca/CurbsideCollection and barrie.ca/landfill for more information.
Barrie Transit:
- December 24: Regular weekday service
- December 25: No transit service
- December 26: Operating on a Sunday schedule, with an early start time (7 a.m.)
- December 31: Free transit service starts at 5 p.m. with regular evening service
extending until 3 a.m. (excludes Highway 400 Express Route) - New Year’s Day: No transit service
Visit MyRideBarrie.ca to plan your trip.
Parking Reminders:
- Downtown parking (on-street and lots) is not enforced on statutory holidays. Waterfront
parking is enforced 24/7/365. To park for free in select waterfront areas, vehicles must
be registered with a digital waterfront parking permit. - There are exceptions to the overnight on-street parking restrictions on December 25,
26, and January 1 from 12:01 a.m. to 7 a.m., unless the city declares a Winter
Maintenance Event by 4 p.m. on the previous day.
Visit barrie.ca/parking for more information.
Two-hour free on-street downtown parking in December 
Support local downtown businesses this holiday season and take advantage of FREE 2-hour on-street parking downtown throughout December! The City offers this annual initiative to encourage residents and visitors to explore the vibrant shops, restaurants, and services in our community.
For more information about paid parking areas, visit barrie.ca/parking.
Apply for Barrie’s Arts & Culture Investment Program 
The City of Barrie is accepting applications for its annual Arts and Culture Investment Program, which provides funding to not-for-profit arts and culture organizations. Eligible organizations include those in performing arts (theatre, dance, music), visual arts, arts service, new media, or heritage, who are based in Barrie.
The deadline to apply is Monday, January 19, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
For funding details and to apply, visit barrie.ca/ACIP.
Tips for setting your carts to the curb for collection 
Let’s keep it rolling! Here are some tips for setting your carts to the curb for collection:
- Make sure the arrows on the cart lid are pointing towards the street.
- Do not place your carts on, behind, or within 2 ft (0.6 m) of a snowbank.
- Place carts out of the path for snow removal equipment.
For more information, visit barrie.ca/CurbsideCarts.
Join Barrie’s 2026 New Year’s Eve Celebration 
Celebrate New Year’s Eve in downtown Barrie with an evening of free family-friendly fun at Meridian Place from 5 to 9 p.m.! The new location provides an opportunity to showcase Barrie’s beautiful waterfront, our vibrant downtown core, as well as Meridian Place.
Festivities include:
- Live music on the Meridian Place stage
- Busker Performances
- Inflatables
- Interactive Games
- Face Painting
- Button Making
- Bonfire warming zone
- Food Trucks ($)
- Fireworks Finale at 9 p.m. (from Heritage Park)
For more information and announcements to come, visit barrie.ca/nye.
Check your mail for the 2026 Waste Collection Calendar 
Delivery of the City’s 2026 Waste Collection Calendar to Barrie households is underway. The Waste Collection Calendar contains information about residential municipal waste collection including maps, schedules, and waste collection tips.
If you live at a multi-residential address, you will not receive the calendar in the mail. Copies will be available for pickup at City facilities by late December.
To see a digital version of the 2026 Waste Collection Calendar and a list of pickup locations,
visit barrie.ca/calendar.
Presented by The City of Barrie
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of The City of Barrie and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of iPolitics.
