The City of Barrie remains under a Significant Weather Event (declared December 28, 2025) as crews work to restore winter maintenance standards across the city. Crews are conducting snow removal and snow lifts on roads that have become narrowed due to the volume of snowfall. The Significant Weather Event cannot be lifted until all narrowed roads have been addressed.
Did you know? As of January 9, crews have removed 3,500 truckloads of snow as part of ongoing snow lift operations, which is equivalent to about 24 Olympic size swimming pools!
Snow-lifting crews are focusing on neighbourhoods with narrow streets, laneways, sidewalks, bridge decks, and other priority locations where snow cannot be safely pushed aside.
During the significant weather event, motorists and residents are advised to use extra caution as the City may not be able to meet its maintenance standards for roads, bike lanes, and sidewalks. It may take longer than usual to bring the roads and sidewalks back to optimal conditions. When the declaration is over, the standard timeline for road and sidewalk winter maintenance will begin.
Here are a few reminders for Barrie residents:
- On-street parking is not permitted on City streets from 12:01–7am and 3–6am within the Downtown Business Improvement Area, from December 1 through to March 31.
- When shovelling, clear a flat spot beside or at the end of your driveway to place your organics and garbage carts, recycling boxes, and/or Christmas tree. Do not place them on top of the snowbank. Please read winter considerations for curbside collection.
- For up-to-date information on recreation program cancellations, visit barrie.ca/RecCancellations.
For information about winter road and sidewalk maintenance, please visit barrie.ca/snow. For further information on current and forecasted weather conditions, please visit the Environment Canada website at ec.gc.ca.
This alert will be updated should there be any additional impacts to City services.