The Ford government has finally introduced legislation to enable a boundary expansion in Barrie, advancing a land swap that city officials say is critical to supporting tens of thousands of new residents and jobs.
The bill, tabled Tuesday, sets the stage for Barrie to annex more than 2,000 acres from neighbouring Springwater and Oro-Medonte, an expansion that has been stalled for months as the three municipalities struggled to reach a formal agreement by a Sept. 30 deadline imposed by a provincially appointed facilitator.
Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall said he learned of the legislation just moments before it landed.
“I just got off a call where they gave me the update that there was going to be legislation today,” Nuttall told QP Briefing. “I am incredibly happy. It feels like there’s a bit of a weight lifted off my shoulders.”
The proposed annexation would bring 1,376 acres of residential development land and 773 acres of industrial land into Barrie. A joint land needs analysis projects the city will require additional space to support a population expected to reach 298,000 by 2051.
With the bill now before the legislature, Nuttall says the city can finally turn its attention toward the economic-development ambitions underpinning the land request.
“This is just step one in ensuring that we have proper jobs for folks in the city of Barrie,” he said. “We’re developing out a full community where you can live and you can work as well.”
The mayor said it’s too early to estimate how quickly thousands of anticipated new jobs could materialize.
“We don’t even know when it’s going to be fully in the city of Barrie,” he said. “Once that’s sorted, we’ll get down to ensuring we talk to every possible employer about why Barrie is the best place to invest.”
The process dragged a little beyond the September 30 deadline.
“I’m not really looking backwards. I’m looking forward to a land of opportunity,” he said. “Too many people are commuting on the 400 every day. We want great-paying jobs here in Barrie.”
Michael Minzak, spokesperson for the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs said in a statement:
"Over the last two years, Barrie has grown by 13 per cent and is projected to double over the next 25 years. To support this growth, our government is working with the Townships of Springwater and Oro-Medonte and the City of Barrie, through this legislation, to transfer 1,673 hectares of unused land.
This transfer will unlock 8,000 homes and ensure Simcoe Region can continue to expand infrastructure, grow economic development and be ready to welcome families to the area for years to come."
What happens next:
The legislation will undergo debate in the coming weeks. Barrie council has said it hopes the boundary change can be finalized by Jan. 1, 2026, ahead of the next municipal election.