Barrie’s Ward 4, Represented by Progressive Cllr Courser, Likely to Be Split in In Re-Draw of Ward Boundary

Barrie Council Considers Redrawing Ward Boundaries Amid Growing Social Challenges

The City of Barrie is in the process of redrawing its ward boundaries. Currently, the city is divided into ten wards, but both of the council’s preferred options—Option 1 and Option 2B—would reduce that number by one. Under these proposals, one ward would be eliminated from North Barrie, and six of the remaining wards would be allocated to the city’s southern half.

The redraw is based on population projections for 2036, when Barrie is expected to exceed 220,000 residents. If approved, the new ward boundaries will take effect for the next municipal election in two years.

According to city data, Barrie’s current population is around 167,000. North Barrie’s five wards serve approximately 75,000 residents, while the five wards in South Barrie—home to about 91,000 residents—remain underrepresented. Though South Barrie has the larger population, it currently holds the same number of wards as the less populated North.

Both boundary options aim to correct this imbalance. However, they also propose splitting Ward 4 and redistributing its territory between existing Wards 3 and 5. Ward 4 is currently represented by Councillor Amy Courser, known for her progressive stances, often at odds with Mayor Alex Nuttall, a former Conservative MP and recent endorser of Premier Doug Ford in the Ontario election.

As council deliberates the new boundaries, it is also contending with broader social issues, particularly those affecting Barrie’s most vulnerable residents.

Council addressed the ongoing struggle to relocate unhoused individuals, pointing to a lack of shelter space and complications in finding a permanent site for a donated sprung shelter structure. Ward 1 Councillor Clare Riepma noted that the county had considered placing the shelter on leased land at Tiffin Street, the former site of an ambulance station and warming centre. However, after issuing a tender, the construction costs came in unexpectedly high. The county is now seeking lower bids. Mayor Nuttall confirmed that the price tag—combined with the uncertainty around the lease’s duration—made the project financially unviable. There were also concerns about investing heavily in a shelter that may need to be relocated later at further cost.

Many community leaders have called on council to prioritize downtown as a shelter location, particularly at 11 Innisfil Street, the site of the former supervised consumption facility.

Consultant Kerry Warner presented a broader plan to address the city’s social challenges, including homelessness, housing affordability, mental health, addiction, and access to services. Warner emphasized that the strategy was shaped by community engagement, stakeholder feedback, and reliable data. The plan includes actionable steps, assigned leadership roles, and measurable goals to guide implementation and track progress.