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 COVID-19 pandemic. 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
| Reduced Enforcement of Parking & Noise By-laws | |
Reduced Enforcement of parking and noise by-laws is underway until further notice. Staff continue to take calls and reports regarding by-law enforcement at (705) 739-4241. Visit
barrie.ca/bylaws for full information. |
| Free Barrie Transit | |
Free Barrie Transit is currently available. Riders must board and exit the bus from the rear door only, if able. Visit
barrie.ca/TransitNotices for full information. |
| Free Garbage Tags | |
The City recognizes that since residents are practising physical distancing and staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, garbage amounts may be increased. Three free garbage tags are available to eligible households. Please visit
barrie.ca/CurbsideCollection for full information. |
| Water Wastewater Billing | |
There will be no new late fees or City-imposed non-sufficient funds (NSF) charges for water wastewater bills, and no water shutoffs will be carried out, until June 30, 2020. Residents and property owners can 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 have been extended for all residents and businesses for two billing periods. Please visit
Water Wastewater Billing for full information.
|
| Property Tax Billing | |
There will be no new late fees or City-imposed non-sufficient funds (NSF) charges for tax bills until June 30, 2020. Residents and property owners can opt out or suspend pre-authorized payment plans. Please visit
Property Tax Payment Options for full information. |
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
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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:
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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