Ontario Construction News staff writer
Simcoe County Council has given conditional support to the City of Barrie’s proposed annexation of lands in Oro-Medonte and Springwater, tying its endorsement to protections for regional economic interests and taxpayer impacts.
Council approved the resolution on Nov. 4 after lengthy debate. While the County supports Barrie’s efforts to expand housing supply, it attached several requirements, including the removal of key employment lands from the annexation area — or compensation if they are included — as well as two Minister’s Zoning Orders to offset economic losses. The County is also seeking provincial support for major regional infrastructure projects.
“These conditions reflect Council’s support for local decision-making around housing while ensuring we protect the County’s economic future,” Warden Basil Clarke said in a statement. “Failing to take a position now could have led to greater economic impacts across the region.”
Under the motion, the County’s endorsement applies only to community lands that provide enough housing capacity to 2051. Employment areas along Highways 400 and 11 are excluded. If employment lands south of Partridge Road are annexed, the County wants $5 million in compensation from Barrie and further negotiations with Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack on restructuring details.
Oro-Medonte Council also endorsed the boundary proposal but asked the minister to defer any decisions on employment lands pending additional study. The township wants assurances that any land transferred to Barrie be used strictly for community purposes, including housing and institutional development.
The area identified in Oro-Medonte spans 457 hectares, of which 274 hectares are developable. It represents less than one per cent of the township’s land base. As part of the proposed agreement, Barrie would pay $15,000 per developable acre — about $10.15 million — in a lump-sum payment on Jan. 1, 2026. The 26 affected properties currently generate roughly $43,000 in municipal taxes.
Springwater faces the largest land loss under the plan: 1,126 hectares, including 596 hectares deemed developable. Barrie has offered $15,000 per developable acre, totalling more than $22 million, along with $850,000 over five years for economic development initiatives. Additional commitments include water and wastewater servicing for 453 acres, 500 waterfront parking passes annually for five years, and temporary access to Barrie recreation programs.
Barrie City Council has already approved the boundary proposal and aims to have the restructuring in effect by Jan. 1, 2026.
Resolutions from the municipalities will be submitted to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, which will determine whether to issue a minister’s order under the Municipal Act.