Barrie's annexation

On January 1, 2026, about 1,673 hectares of Springwater and Oro-Medonte became part of Barrie, by provincial statute. The land is the City's answer to running out of room; the terms, the compensation and what gets built there are questions the next council inherits.

What did the province actually do, in law?

The Barrie–Oro-Medonte–Springwater Boundary Adjustment Act, 2025 was introduced at Queen's Park on November 25, 2025, received Royal Assent on December 11, and took effect January 1, 2026. The Environmental Registry notice for it describes "approximately 1,673 hectares" moving from the two townships, anticipated for "residential and/or industrial commercial uses over the medium to longer period". The Province's stated rationale: the adjustment can "unlock up to 8,000 new homes", building "homes for 23,000 more people", because without it Barrie would "run out of residential land by the 2030s and employment land by the 2040s".

Sources: Barrie - Oro-Medonte - Springwater Boundary Adjustment Act, 2025, S.O. 2025, c.

28, Government of Ontario — e-Laws, dated December 11, 2025. Original document. Bill 76; Royal Assent December 11, 2025, in force January 1, 2026. Environmental Registry of Ontario notice 025-1324 — proposed boundary adjustment, Government of Ontario — Environmental Registry, dated November 25, 2025. Original document. States the transfer as "approximately 1,673 hectares" from Oro-Medonte and Springwater, anticipated for "residential and/or industrial commercial uses over the medium to longer period". Ontario news release, "Ontario Supporting Growth in Simcoe County" (2025-11-25), Government of Ontario — Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, dated November 25, 2025. Original document. The province's rationale on introducing Bill 76: "unlock up to 8,000 new homes", "homes for 23,000 more people", and the claim that Barrie would "run out of residential land by the 2030s and employment land by the 2040s". All retrieved August 9, 2026.

What did Barrie pay Springwater and Oro-Medonte for the land?

Compensation was negotiated municipality by municipality and executed after the transfer:

Springwater: approximately $22 million paid in installments through 2030, plus $850,000 dedicated to economic-development resources over five years (joint media release with the City, February 26, 2026).
Oro-Medonte: $10,155,000, which the township describes as "$15,000 per acre" for a transfer touching 26 properties, "less than 1% of Oro-Medonte's land area".

Sources: Joint media release — City of Barrie and Township of Springwater execute compensation agreement (2026-02-26), City of Barrie and Township of Springwater, dated February 26, 2026.

Original document. Approximately $22 million in total compensation to Springwater, paid in installments through 2030, plus $850,000 dedicated to economic-development resources over five years. The Township's February 4, 2026 council report, which includes the consolidated agreement, is archived with the site's research files. City of Barrie Boundary Expansion Request (Township of Oro-Medonte page, updated 2026-03-25), Township of Oro-Medonte. Original document. The township's record of its compensation: $10,155,000, described as "$15,000 per acre", with 26 properties impacted, "less than 1% of Oro-Medonte's land area". A live page, updated in place. All retrieved August 9, 2026.

What changes if you live on the annexed lands?

You vote in Barrie's 2026 election. The ward-descriptions regulation places the annexed lands in Wards 1, 3, 4 and 5 for the remainder of this council term, and directs that the October election be conducted on the fully redrawn ten-ward map. The ward lookup answers for addresses in the City's register; a brand-new address should be checked against the ward-changes page and the City's own map.
Property taxes phase in. Tax changes are phased by a declining credit: over 20 years for farm and managed-forest classes, over 5 years for everything else.
Zoning has not switched yet. City by-laws now apply, with one exception the City's transition page states plainly: the townships' zoning by-laws continue until Barrie passes a zoning by-law for the area. In the meantime, Interim Control By-law 2025-124 freezes uses on most properties there while a land-use study runs.

Sources: O. Reg.

403/25: Ward Descriptions, Government of Ontario — e-Laws, dated January 1, 2026. Original document. Section 1 adds the annexed lands to Wards 1, 3, 4 and 5 from January 1, 2026 (Schedule 1). Section 2(3) directs that the 2026 election be run on the fully redrawn ten-ward map of Schedule 2, the map this site uses throughout. O. Reg. 402/25: Phase-in of Tax Changes, Government of Ontario — e-Laws, dated January 1, 2026. Original document. Tax increases on the annexed lands phase in by declining credit: farm and managed-forest classes over 20 years, all other classes over 5. Boundary Expansion (City of Barrie transition page), City of Barrie. Original document. The City's transition record: City by-laws apply on the annexed lands except the Zoning By-law (the townships' zoning continues until the City passes one for the area), and Interim Control By-law 2025-124 freezes uses on most properties there. A live page, updated in place. All retrieved August 9, 2026.

Has Barrie annexed land before?

The 2026 annexation is the fifth substantial round in the city's history. Most of the earlier rounds went south into Innisfil; the 1984 Vespra round went north, and the 2026 lands reach north into Springwater and east into Oro-Medonte:

Barrie's annexations on record
Effective	From	Instrument	How much
Jan 1, 1982 and Jan 1, 1987	Town of Innisfil (south — Kempenfelt Bay and the concessions along the rail line)	Barrie-Innisfil Annexation Act, 1981 — one statute, two staged annexations (ss. 2(1), 2(2))	The Act defines the lands by metes and bounds and states no acreage; contemporary reporting puts the 1980s Innisfil transfers at almost 10,000 acres reported
Jul 1, 1984	Township of Vespra (north — including the Bayfield Street lands)	Barrie-Vespra Annexation Act, 1984, after litigation that reached the Supreme Court of Canada	No acreage in the Act; reported at about 2,200 acres reported
Jan 1, 2010	Town of Innisfil (south — the Hewitt's and Salem lands)	Barrie-Innisfil Boundary Adjustment Act, 2009 (Schedule 1 as amended by O. Reg. 501/09)	2,293 hectares, the City's own figure
Jan 1, 2026	Springwater and Oro-Medonte (north and east)	S.O. 2025, c. 28 and its regulations — this page's subject	Roughly 1,673 hectares, per the ERO notice

Older, smaller rounds are on the record only in news reports: the Allandale lands from Innisfil around 1891 and 1897, and almost 600 acres in 1967 for the Formosa Spring Brewery (later Molson Park).

The 1981 Act also barred Barrie from applying to annex Innisfil land again before 2012, which is why the 2010 round needed its own statute. The census roughly confirms the 2010 round: Barrie's land area was 77.4 km² at the 2011 census and 99.0 km² at the 2016 census, a gain of about 21.6 km², close to the 22.9 km² (2,293 hectares) annexed. The 2011 census still used the old boundary, and census land areas are remeasured each cycle, so the two figures are close but not identical. Figures marked reported come from news coverage: the statutes define the lands by metes and bounds and state no acreage, so there is no official figure to cite.

Sources: Barrie-Innisfil Annexation Act, 1981, S.O. 1981, c.

63, Legislative Assembly of Ontario, dated December 17, 1981. The publisher's own copy is gone; this links to the Internet Archive. Two annexations in one Act: Schedule A lands from Innisfil on January 1, 1982, Schedule B on January 1, 1987. Defines the lands by metes and bounds only — the Act states no acreage. Local copy in the site's research files. Barrie-Vespra Annexation Act, 1984, S.O. 1984, c. 41, Legislative Assembly of Ontario, dated June 27, 1984. The publisher's own copy is gone; this links to the Internet Archive. Annexes the Schedule lands from Vespra Township on July 1, 1984, by metes and bounds, no acreage stated. A local copy is kept with the site's research files. Barrie-Innisfil Boundary Adjustment Act, 2009, S.O. 2009, c. 29, Government of Ontario — e-Laws, dated December 15, 2009. Original document. Annexes the Schedule 1 lands from Innisfil on January 1, 2010; Schedule 1 amended by O. Reg. 501/09. The 2,293-hectare figure is the City's own, from its Growth Management page. Growth Management, City of Barrie. Original document. States the 2010 boundary adjustment "extended the City's southern boundary to incorporate 2,293 hectares" — the Hewitt's and Salem Secondary Plan lands. All retrieved August 17, 2026.

Why is annexation a 2026 election issue?

The annexation is done; almost everything about what happens on the land is not. The next council decides the official-plan amendment and the zoning that replace the interim freeze, the pace and location of servicing, and how the promised homes and employment lands actually apportion. Candidates can disagree about all of it without disagreeing that the boundary moved. Where candidates have said something on the record about it, their statements are linked from the media index.

What the candidates have said

Verbatim, attributed, dated. Every passage below is copied exactly from an archived copy of its source — a campaign website, a news article, or the candidate's own social media post — and links to it. Nothing is paraphrased by this site and no for-or-against label is applied: read the words, follow the link. Passages from news coverage say whether they are the candidate quoted, the reporter's reported speech, or the reporter's characterisation.

Compiled in a research batch dated October 15, 2026, reviewed by hand before publication on October 15, 2026.

Passages are capped at 60 words and listed newest first; undated campaign pages show and sort by the date archived. A candidate with nothing located on an issue is listed as such, with the date their sources were checked; a race is shown only once every candidate in it has been checked. See methodology.

Mayor

No published statement on this issue located for 4 candidates. Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (October 7, 2026): Alex Nuttall, Tanya Saari.

No campaign website on the City's list: Kay Sayer, Russell Tighe. Indexed news coverage checked October 15, 2026: none quoting any of them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 1

Stefano Agostino

“One of my biggest concerns is the potential for heavy industrial development directly bordering existing residential neighbourhoods,” he said. “This could create challenges with increased traffic, noise, environmental impacts and potentially affect surrounding property values.

Agostino said he would like to see a balanced, layered approach to land-use planning. This could include incorporating commercial and retail spaces that support surrounding neighbourhoods and encourage walkability, along with community amenities such as a recreation centre, library or other public services, he said.

“I would also like to see thoughtful transitions between industrial and residential areas, using commercial spaces, green corridors and preserved natural landscapes as buffers,” Agostino said. “Protecting existing green spaces while creating trails and recreational opportunities would benefit both residents and employees of future businesses investing in Barrie.”

Source: As quoted in BarrieToday, Ward 1 candidates weigh in on how Barrie should develop 460 hectares of annexed land, October 9, 2026 (paragraph 31; paragraph 33; paragraph 34). Read October 15, 2026. Media coverage

Shaughna Ainsworth

Ainsworth said it’s her understanding the major reason for annexing lands into Ward 1 was to help provide affordable housing, which doesn’t translate into estate lots or urban sprawl.

“I suppose I would be considered a medium density person who envisions a pleasant, planned development mixture, providing some amenities, single family, towns, walk-ups, transit services, enough parking and green spaces, all while creatively preserving environmentally protected lands,” she said.

City council should have as much control as possible over new development, Ainsworth said.

Source: As reported by BarrieToday, Ward 1 candidates weigh in on how Barrie should develop 460 hectares of annexed land, October 9, 2026 (paragraph 13; paragraph 14; paragraph 15). Read October 15, 2026. Media coverage reported
It is my desire to be involved with Barrie's Growth Management Program and Boundary Adjustment Team.

Source: ainsworth4ward1.ca, Platform page, section '02 Responsible Growth', second bullet. Page. Undated; archived September 10, 2026. Official site

Brent Bowser

“I would like to see a balanced mix of housing, commercial development, community services, parks and protected natural areas,” he said.

“I would be concerned about development that places additional pressure on infrastructure without a reasonable plan,” he said, “creates unnecessary problems for surrounding neighbourhoods, threatens protected natural areas or leaves existing taxpayers carrying significant long-term costs.”

Source: As quoted in BarrieToday, Ward 1 candidates weigh in on how Barrie should develop 460 hectares of annexed land, October 9, 2026 (paragraph 9, first sentence; paragraph 12). Read October 15, 2026. Media coverage

Christian Cadera

Cadera has spent a number of years traveling and says he noticed how inefficiently Canada builds its cities. Countries like Japan are more a collection of self-contained communities rather than specialized sections of a larger whole, he said.

“I would push to see future growth in Barrie to follow successful strategies adopted by other countries,” Cadera said.

“While in the short term this means less income from developers who are looking to maximize profit before they move on, it would avoid a ‘Torontofication’ of Barrie,” he said, “and those left to live with results will find the city more liveable.”

Source: As reported by BarrieToday, Ward 1 candidates weigh in on how Barrie should develop 460 hectares of annexed land, October 9, 2026 (paragraph 18; paragraph 20, first sentence; paragraph 21). Read October 15, 2026. Media coverage reported

Pauline Stevenson

Stevenson said community input on how to move forward is non-negotiable for her, because if this is done right it could be a huge opportunity for Ward 1 and for Barrie.

“At the same time, I will push to protect as much natural heritage as possible and put new recreation and leisure opportunities on the table for discussion - why not a splash pad, accessible park, library branch?” she said.

“And while I want to see new job opportunities in Barrie, I will not support heavy industrial use on these lands - this is not the location for it,” she said.

Source: As reported by BarrieToday, Ward 1 candidates weigh in on how Barrie should develop 460 hectares of annexed land, October 9, 2026 (paragraph 24; paragraph 27; paragraph 29, first sentence). Read October 15, 2026. Media coverage reported

No published statement on this issue located for one candidate. Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (October 7, 2026): Hafiz Rahman. Indexed news coverage checked October 15, 2026: none quoting them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 2

No published statement on this issue located for 5 candidates. Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (October 7, 2026): Frank Casera, Shanicka Edwards, Craig Nixon, Ajmal Noushahi.

No campaign website on the City's list: Tracy Strohm. Indexed news coverage checked October 15, 2026: none quoting any of them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 3

Ryan Rijo

He also pointed to the new annexed lands from Springwater and Oro-Medonte townships as big focus for him.

The annexed lands are one of the biggest opportunities – and responsibilities – facing Ward 3,

We need to make sure development is thoughtful and respects the residents, farms and rural communities already there. Residents should be involved early, not simply informed after decisions have been made.

Source: As reported by CompassNews, Candidates vie for newly redrawn Ward 3 council seat in Barrie, October 1, 2026 (paragraph 26; paragraph 27, quoted words; paragraph 28, quoted words). Read October 7, 2026. Media coverage reported

No published statement on this issue located for 3 candidates. Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (October 7, 2026): Amy Courser, Ben Hughes.

No campaign website on the City's list: Bryan Jones. Indexed news coverage checked October 15, 2026: none quoting any of them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 4

No published statement on this issue located for 5 candidates. Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (October 7, 2026): Iradat Ahmad, Lori Galeazza, Arif Khan.

No campaign website on the City's list: Matthew Corbett, Patrick Harriott-Stewart. Indexed news coverage checked October 15, 2026: none quoting any of them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 5

Duarte Da Silva

Annexation trust gap: Real consultation with residents, not a box to check.

Source: duarteforward5.ca, Home page, 'The Major 5 in Ward 5', first bullet. Page. Undated; archived September 10, 2026. Official site

Robert Thomson

With Barrie’s expanded boundaries and newly annexed lands, Thomson said the city should maintain a meaningful buffer between existing neighbourhoods and new development.

There is an opportunity to build employment and commercial capacity while giving existing residential communities the protection they deserve.

Source: As reported by CompassNews, Ward 5 race pits experience against change, September 4, 2026 (paragraph 15; paragraph 17). Read September 11, 2026. Media coverage reported

Ward 6

No published statement on this issue located for 3 candidates. No campaign website on the City's list: Nasar George Nader.

Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (October 7, 2026): Nigussie Nigussie, Christel Pena. Indexed news coverage checked October 15, 2026: none quoting any of them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 7

No published statement on this issue located for 2 candidates. Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (October 7, 2026): Gary Harvey.

No campaign website on the City's list: Michael Lewis. Indexed news coverage checked October 15, 2026: none quoting any of them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 8

No published statement on this issue located for 3 candidates. Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (October 7, 2026): Samina Alim, Jim Harris, Amanda Fellows. Indexed news coverage checked October 15, 2026: none quoting any of them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 9

No published statement on this issue located for 4 candidates. Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (October 7, 2026): Norm Costello, Sergio Morales, Asmar Naveed, Dave Weingarten. Indexed news coverage checked October 15, 2026: none quoting any of them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 10

No published statement on this issue located for 3 candidates. No campaign website on the City's list: William Cadeau.

Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (October 7, 2026): Bryn Hamilton, Georgy Kapustin. Indexed news coverage checked October 15, 2026: none quoting any of them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

School board trustees

None of the 19 trustee candidates across 7 races has a located statement on this issue; trustees do not decide it.

Their statements are on the education page, and each candidate's own page says what was checked.

Reporting on this issue

Local reporting on annexation from this site's media index, newest first: 90 stories since 2007.

A story is filed here because it is about this issue, not because it mentions it. The index was built election by election, so reporting between campaigns is thinner, and it is not complete.

October 9, 2026 Ward 1 candidates weigh in on how Barrie should develop 460 hectares of annexed land BarrieToday · By Bob Bruton
October 1, 2026 LETTER: New Ward 1 resident asks candidates about 'vision' for annexed land BarrieToday · Letter to the editor by Steve Dearlove
April 29, 2026 New Barrie resident wants annexation planning to be part of city election BarrieToday · By Bob Bruton
December 29, 2025 Annexation Day One: Who do former residents of Springwater or Oro-Medonte call on Jan. 1 when Barrie takes over? Simcoe.com · By Brett Glover
December 23, 2025 New Barrie bylaw puts controls in place on land annexed from townships BarrieToday · By Bob Bruton
December 15, 2025 Barrie says 'thank you' for annexation legislation with over $17K of major newspaper ads BarrieToday · By Bob Bruton
December 13, 2025 Annexation means Barrie Country Club to get a new Barrie address BarrieToday · By Wayne Doyle
December 12, 2025 LETTER: City of Barrie lacks vision, not land BarrieToday · Letter to the editor by M. Nink

82 more stories

December 9, 2025 Bill 76 passes, transferring thousands of acres to City of Barrie BarrieToday · By Wayne Doyle
December 4, 2025 LETTER: Councillors praised for standing against 'forced' annexation BarrieToday · Letter to the editor by Denise Reynolds
November 26, 2025 Springwater mayor optimistic talks can continue with Barrie over boundary expansion BarrieToday · By Wayne Doyle
November 25, 2025 Barrie annexation moves key step closer to completion: province BarrieToday
November 25, 2025 Ontario government introduces bill to approve Barrie's boundary adjustment with Springwater, Oro-Medonte Barrie 360 · By Ian MacLennan
November 12, 2025 Barrie's millions in annexation funding won't appear on 2026 city tax bills BarrieToday · By Bob Bruton
November 6, 2025 Coughlin uses strong mayor powers to authorize Barrie's annexation framework in Springwater Barrie 360 · By Julius Hern
November 5, 2025 'Painful step backward': Oro-Medonte accepts Barrie's annexation proposal BarrieToday · By Wayne Doyle
November 4, 2025 'Unfortunate quagmire': Barrie's annexation plan gets conditional OK from county BarrieToday · By Nikki Cole
November 4, 2025 Oro-Medonte council votes to support Barrie boundary proposal, subject to conditions Barrie 360 · By Ian MacLennan
October 23, 2025 Oro-Medonte council did not vote on Barrie boundary proposal Barrie 360 · By Ian MacLennan
October 16, 2025 Springwater Township council defers decision on City of Barrie's proposed boundary adjustment Barrie 360 · By Julius Hern
October 13, 2025 What you need to know and why you should care about the proposed Barrie-Springwater land swap Simcoe.com · By Brett Glover
October 9, 2025 Barrie warns provincial intervention could kill boundary compensation to Springwater, Oro-Medonte Barrie 360 · By Ian MacLennan
October 9, 2025 Springwater council to seek legal advice over lawyer's letter claiming misuse of strong-mayor powers Simcoe.com · By Brett Glover
October 8, 2025 Simcoe County Council votes against removing Deputy Warden Coughlin amid boundary expansion debate Simcoe.com · By Brett Glover
October 8, 2025 Warden urges residents to speak out on Barrie's 'forced annexation plan' BarrieToday
October 2, 2025 City of Barrie green lights annexation proposal, but road forward could be a bumpy ride Barrie 360 · By Ian MacLennan
October 1, 2025 Barrie council to decide on controversial boundary expansion plan this week Simcoe.com · By Brett Glover
October 1, 2025 Barrie moving ahead with boundary proposal pegged at nearly $39M BarrieToday · By Bob Bruton
September 25, 2025 County warden criticizes 'vast and rushed' annexation mapping BarrieToday
September 11, 2025 Oro-Medonte mayor questions 'urgency' of Barrie boundary expansion BarrieToday · By Wayne Doyle
September 4, 2025 Legal counsel recommends Township of Springwater proceed with Midhurst Expansion plan Barrie 360 · By Julius Hern
September 4, 2025 Nuttall refutes Springwater's legal opinion on Barrie boundary plan BarrieToday · By Bob Bruton
August 12, 2025 LETTER: Public engagement needed in boundary expansion process BarrieToday · Letter to the editor by Jane Voorheis
August 10, 2025 Former Springwater councillor rails against Barrie annexation plans BarrieToday · By Wayne Doyle
August 9, 2025 Residents blame closed-door talks for rise in annexation misinformation BarrieToday · By Wayne Doyle
July 16, 2025 Barrie 'willing and able' to take on stalled Springwater projects via annexation BarrieToday · By Bob Bruton
June 11, 2025 LETTER: Province wants development, making annexation 'inevitable' BarrieToday · Letter to the editor by Larry MacDonald
June 10, 2025 County warns of economic fallout from Barrie's proposed annexation plans BarrieToday · By Nikki Cole
June 10, 2025 LETTER: It's 'painfully clear' that annexation is being 'rushed' BarrieToday · Letter to the editor by Jane Voorheis
May 29, 2025 Oro-Medonte receives Barrie's 'high-level' proposal, counters with terms BarrieToday · By Wayne Doyle
May 23, 2025 Barrie pitches land, water swap at Springwater council chambers, here's what residents and lawmakers are saying Simcoe.com · By Brett Glover
May 10, 2025 Nuttall uses strong mayor powers for potential boundary shift deal BarrieToday · By Bob Bruton
May 9, 2025 Barrie and Springwater mayors float water, land swap amid boundary discussions Simcoe.com · By Brett Glover
May 9, 2025 Springwater, Barrie swap potential: Land in exchange for services Barrie 360 · By Ian MacLennan
May 3, 2025 LETTER: Mayor provided 'comprehensive answers' to industrial concerns BarrieToday · Letter to the editor by Cate Tilden
March 27, 2025 LETTER: Annexation talk creates 'conflict, division' BarrieToday · Letter to the editor by Jane Voorheis
March 27, 2025 Oro-Medonte pushes for 6-month resolution on boundary talks with Barrie, Springwater Township Simcoe.com · By Ian Adams
March 8, 2025 LETTER: Time to prioritize local economy over annexation BarrieToday · Letter to the editor by Jane Voorheis
February 22, 2025 LETTER: There's a reason MPPs aren't wading into annexation issue BarrieToday · Letter to the editor by Doug Lewis
January 21, 2025 Oro-Medonte could seek breakdown of numbers in Barrie boundary talks BarrieToday · By Wayne Doyle
December 19, 2024 Does Barrie really need to annex lands from neighbouring Oro-Medonte and Springwater for industries as it claims? A group of Oro residents and a recent report say probably not Simcoe.com · By Ian Adams
December 13, 2024 LETTER: Shared services — not annexation — would be 'win-win solution' BarrieToday · Letter to the editor by Jane Voorheis
December 13, 2024 Oro-Medonte mayor doesn't support Barrie's 'housing sprawl' BarrieToday · By Wayne Doyle
December 12, 2024 'Without annexation, there’s no path forward,' says Morales BarrieToday · By Bob Bruton
December 11, 2024 COLUMN: Barrie's case for annexing land 'relatively weak' BarrieToday · By Barry Ward
November 28, 2024 'Needs to get done': Barrie boundary picture could soon come into focus BarrieToday · By Bob Bruton
July 4, 2024 ‘Oro-Medonte is not the right choice’: Barrie, Oro-Medonte residents rally against city annexation proposal for township Simcoe.com · By Ian Adams
June 27, 2024 Group's petition against Barrie annexation exceeds 3,000 signatures BarrieToday · By Wayne Doyle
June 17, 2024 Province appoints facilitator to work with Barrie, Oro-Medonte and Springwater on boundary issues Simcoe.com · By Ian Adams
May 14, 2024 Springwater boundary report sidesteps Barrie's land needs BarrieToday · By Wayne Doyle
May 12, 2024 LETTER: Rezoning annexed land 'raises serious concerns' BarrieToday · Letter to the editor by Jane Voorheis
March 15, 2024 'Work together': Ford urges local solution on Barrie boundary talks BarrieToday · By Bob Bruton
March 5, 2024 LETTER: Barrie's annexation plan 'ill conceived' BarrieToday · Letter to the editor by Jane Voorheis
February 12, 2024 Oro-Medonte poised to 'work' with Barrie on boundary dispute BarrieToday · By Wayne Doyle
February 9, 2024 ‘You get what you ask for’: Did poll support Barrie’s annexation desires, or did it go through the ‘spin cycle’? Simcoe.com · By Ian Adams
January 24, 2024 Pollster disagrees with Barrie's description of poll results BarrieToday · By Wayne Doyle
January 23, 2024 New poll shows majority of Barrie area residents support boundary expansion: City Barrie 360
January 23, 2024 Province asks Barrie, Oro-Medonte to iron out boundary dispute BarrieToday
January 18, 2024 Township resident questions 'letters of support' for annexation BarrieToday · By Wayne Doyle
December 6, 2023 COLUMN: Where do Barrie boundary talks go next? Anywhere? BarrieToday · By Barry Ward
November 24, 2023 Former Barrie mayor says city should look south for land, not north BarrieToday · By Wayne Doyle
November 15, 2023 Springwater 'terminates' boundary expansion talks with Barrie BarrieToday · By Wayne Doyle
November 13, 2023 'You'll get nothing but complaints': Barrie mayor grilled on land needs from Oro-Medonte Simcoe.com · By Janis Ramsay
November 7, 2023 Barrie mayor eyes Oro-Medonte for city employment land expansion Simcoe.com · By Janis Ramsay
November 1, 2010 archive date Growth plan adjusted Barrie Examiner · By Bob Bruton
December 31, 2009 archive date Council had its share of hits and misses in '09 Barrie Examiner
November 11, 2009 Barrie prepares for Innisfil land Simcoe.com
November 10, 2009 Barrie prepares for new lands Simcoe.com
July 9, 2009 Tea, annexation, growth and Site 41 with Dalton Simcoe.com
June 11, 2009 Fair Growth message costs city $18,300 Simcoe.com
May 14, 2009 Warden says Barrie's know-it-all message 'scary' Simcoe.com
May 12, 2009 Timeline Simcoe.com
May 7, 2009 'Gloves are off' Jackson tells Barrie Simcoe.com
April 28, 2009 'County council has had enough' of Barrie Simcoe.com
February 5, 2009 Warden blasts MPP over border dispute Simcoe.com
February 4, 2009 Innisfil’s got public on its side: Jackson Simcoe.com
June 9, 2008 Get moving on boundary problem Simcoe.com
May 6, 2008 Barrie slams county growth plan Simcoe.com
May 11, 2007 Innisfil is own community, not Barrie burb Simcoe.com
May 1, 2007 Hwy. 400 employment lands must be developed - Tascona Simcoe.com

Common questions

What land did Barrie annex in 2026?

About 1,673 hectares of Springwater and Oro-Medonte became part of Barrie on January 1, 2026, under the Barrie–Oro-Medonte–Springwater Boundary Adjustment Act, 2025. The Province's stated rationale was that the adjustment can "unlock up to 8,000 new homes".

How much did Barrie pay Springwater and Oro-Medonte for the annexed land?

Springwater: approximately $22 million paid in installments through 2030, plus $850,000 dedicated to economic-development resources over five years. Oro-Medonte: $10,155,000, which the township describes as "$15,000 per acre".

Do residents of the annexed lands vote in Barrie's 2026 election?

Yes. The ward-descriptions regulation places the annexed lands in Wards 1, 3, 4 and 5 for the remainder of this council term, and the October election is conducted on the fully redrawn ten-ward map — check the ward lookup.