Support for Residents
& Property Owners
The City of Barrie is implementing service changes and working with community agencies to help connect residents with support resources during the pandemic, and to help stop the spread of COVID-19 within the community. Information about support from other levels of government is also included on this page.
In addition to the information below, a helpful list of COVID-19 information resources for Barrie and Simcoe County residents is available from the Barrie Public Library's Information Barrie Community Database.
City Service Changes
Please also refer to
Support for Businesses for helpful information.
| Free Downtown Parking & Loading Zones | |
Drivers can park downtown for free until September 8, 2020. The suspension of paid downtown parking is one of the many actions outlined in Barrie’s
COVID-19 Economic Recovery Action Plan, and supports the Downtown Economic Recovery Plan by providing incentive for customers to access downtown businesses, and provides financial relief for downtown owners, staff, and customers. Until further notice, on-street parking spaces along
Dunlop St. and side streets are temporarily designated as loading only zones under the Traffic By-law. This limits parking to standing for 10 minutes or less, which helps businesses and customers use curbside pickup and helps maintain traffic flow in the area. |
| Water Wastewater Billing | |
Effective March 20, there were no new late fees or City-imposed non-sufficient funds (NSF) charges for water wastewater bills until June 30, 2020. Residents and property owners can always opt out or suspend pre-authorized payment plans.
Residential water/wastewater account holders can apply to eliminate the fixed charge for water and wastewater on their next bimonthly bill if you are suffering from financial hardship as a result of COVID-19. In addition, the payment due date grace periods were extended for all residents and businesses for two billing periods. Please visit
Water Wastewater Billing for full information.
|
| Property Tax Billing | |
Effective March 20, there were no new late fees or City-imposed non-sufficient funds (NSF) charges for tax bills until June 30, 2020. Residents and property owners can always opt out or suspend pre-authorized payment plans. Please visit
Property Tax Payment Options for full information. Final property tax bills have extended due dates.
View full notice. |
| New Recreation Programming | |
The City offered new programming during the pandemic for residents: -
Seniors Centre Without Walls
Connect and engage with other seniors through multi-person phone calls! This program is run by 55+ Centre staff and volunteers. Enjoy a variety of topics each week ranging from informal coffee chats and fun brainstimulating games to health and wellness seminars and educational talks. The program is free and open to all
seniors in Barrie. -
Together at Home
We know these are challenging times and we want to help you stay active, engaged and entertained while we’re all “together at home”. Check out the videos and activities, ask our Recreation & Culture staff for tips and ideas on staying active at home for all ages. -
Modified Summer Day Camps
The City is
offering modified summer day camps and
registration is open.
|
211
If you are in need of groceries, pharmaceutical supplied or other services, please phone 211 or visit
211ontario.ca.
211 Ontario can help you find grocery stores and pharmacies that are open and offering delivery services, as well as programs and services in your community that may be helpful to you during these trying times
211 exists to connect people to urgent needs and essential services. 211 is multilingual and operates 24/7, so please call or email if you are unable to access needed supplies or service.
Volunteer Opportunities
SPARK Ontario is an online platform that connects people who want to volunteer with organizations that have the infrastructure in place to help others during the COVID-19 outbreak. Visit
sparkontario.ca to post and/or respond to volunteer opportunities in the community.
Barrie Food Bank
The Barrie Food Bank continues to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please visit
barriefoodbank.org for information about available services. Online donations are being accepted.
Mental Health Services
-
BounceBack
A guided self-help program for adults and youth aged 15 and over using workbooks with online videos and phone coaching support:bouncebackontario.ca
-
Kids Help Phone
Kids Help Phone is always there to listen. 24/7 virtual support service offering professional counselling, information and referrals as well as volunteer-led, text-based support to young people in both English and French at 1-800-668-6868. -
Canadian Mental Health Association
The Canadian Mental Health Association
has resources and suggestions to help support your mental health at this time of uncertainty. If you are struggling, please call CMHA at 1-833-456-4566 for assistance.
Provincial Support Programs
Ontario's Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19
Ontario's action plan includes $7 billion in additional resources for the health care system and direct support for people and jobs. It also will make available $10 billion in support for people and businesses through tax and other deferrals to improve their cash flow, protecting jobs and household budgets.The Ontario government has categorized support information as linked below:
-
Support for people
Access financial help, extended deadlines and mental health support.
-
Students & parents
Get information about school closures, child care supports and learning at home. -
Workers
Guidance for health care workers and anyone else still working. -
Businesses
Helping you improve your cash flow and protect jobs.
Federal Support Programs
The Government of Canada is taking action to help Canadians facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, including increasing the Canada Child Benefit, Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), and more. The Federal government has categorized support information as linked below:
| Support for individuals: | Individuals and families
People facing loss of income
Indigenous peoples
People who need it most
Seniors
Youth, post-secondary students and recent graduates
|
| Support for businesses: | Avoiding layoffs and rehiring employees
Access to credit
Creating new jobs and opportunities for youth
Taxes and Tariffs
Support for self-employed individuals
Indigenous businesses
Supporting financial stability
The Government of Canada also offers a tool to
find the support you need for your business.
|
| Support for sectors: | Agriculture, agri-food, aquaculture, fisheries
Cultural, heritage and sports
Air transportation
Tourism
Energy
Non-profit and charitable |
Hotlines
- The Government of Canada's Coronavirus Hotline can answer questions and provide information:1-833-784-4397
- The Emergency Watch and Response Centre (EWRC) can be called 24/7 by Canadian citizens abroad in need of emergency assistance: 1-613-996-8885.
- This Employment Insurance (EI) hotline can be called if you have already completed the application for EI sickness benefits, whether you are sick or quarantined, to have the one-week waiting period waived: 1-833-381-2725
- Ontario Public Health Authority: 1-866-797-0000
- Canadian Mental health Association: 1-833-456-4566