news | opinion

Engage Barrie contributing member Brandon Rhéal Amyot speaks to Brett Glover about the proposed Police budget increase, the city's proposed 0% property tax increase, and whether the public is being properly consulted about anything.

finalizing the proposed Municipal Boundary Restructuring a mere two days after the Public Meeting, changing the Use of City Property Bylaw to allow (belatedly) Encampment Evictions, funding Ice Storm clean-up

** proposed Municipal Boundary Restructuring voted on despite lack of available staff report ** Development Charge Waiver for affordable housing projects, Winter Downtown Patio program

Public Meeting on the proposed municipal restructuring between Barrie, Oro-Medonte, Springwater and Simcoe County

This meeting appears to have been added for the sole purpose of introducing Direct Motions Without Notice, but no further information has been provided. This is a tactic often used to force through unpopular motions, as it circumvents first hearing at General Committee and prevents deputations from the public.

draft budget, updated bylaws and other guidelines, sale of land to New Tecumseth

North York Durham Sewage System Expansion Project, blue-green blooms on Lake Simcoe, building climate resilience in the Lake Simcoe watershed, auditor selection

Workplace Inclusion Charter, Northwest Library update, downtown branch safety & security

Library Budget Requirements policy, Kempenfelt Kelly trademark, Q2 Business Plan status

Housing CIP updates, Mattamy Salem Subdivision almost ready for construction, encampment "State of Emergency"

Rescheduled from September 30, in acknowledgement of the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation Our first Members Meeting since summer...

presentation on the 2026 budget, changes to audio and video fees, increases to Paid Duty fees

moving forward with the Sea Cadets' new facility, zoning amendments for properties in Wards 2 and 8, heritage designations

City to stop funding the Youth Ambassadors Program, open delegation from Barrie Pride, Library Budget Requirements Policy

When it comes to homelessness, politicians and community leaders often toss out quick one-liners. On the surface, they sound like common sense. But look closer and you'll see they're actually logical fallacies - cheap shots that keep us from real solutions. If public debate had referees, here's what they'd be throwing flags on in a few of the housing and homelessness conversations happening in my area just in the last week.

Barrie Travel Information Centre transition from bricks-and-mortar to digital and roaming services, collaboration between Destination...

Strategic Plan updates Minutes: not yet available Watch Online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTE3ekyfh0U Agenda: ...

When we look at the way cities today are treating people living in encampments, it’s easy to think this is a new, complex challenge. But it’s not new. Not really. There’s a long history of governments using criminal laws, bylaws, and public safety narratives to displace people who are seen as politically inconvenient, socially undesirable, or just no longer “welcome” in certain places.  Encampments are just the latest chapter in a longer story. 

asset allocation, performance and market outlook Minutes: https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=M&ID=1305597&GUID=86C91F97-7780-424B-...

two appeal hearings Minutes: https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=M&ID=1318349&GUID=BA88280B-01DC-4126-AB9E-C05FAABEA949 Agenda: ...