The next municipal election is Monday, October 26, 2026. Subject to any acclamations and the final review of School Board Trustee allocations, candidates for the following offices will appear on the 2026 ballot:
- Mayor
- Councillor
- Members – Simcoe County District School Board
- Members – Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board
- Member – Conseil scolaire Viamonde
- Member – Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir
The nomination period for the 2026 municipal election was May 1, 2026 to August 21, 2026 at 2pm. Download the notice of nomination for office.
View the certified candidates list
Candidate Eligibility
To run for municipal Council, candidates must be:
- A Canadian citizen and at least 18 years of age
- A resident or non‑resident elector — someone who does not reside in Barrie but either rents or owns property in the municipality where the nomination is filed
- Eligible to hold office as of the date the nomination is filed
To run to be a school board trustee, candidates must be:
- A Canadian citizen and at least 18 years of age
- A resident of the municipality where the nomination is filed
- Eligible to hold office as of the date the nomination is filed
For further guidance, please consult the Ontario municipal councillor’s guide.
Serving on City Council or a School Board
Serving on Council offers an important opportunity to influence the direction of your community. It also demands careful judgment, a strong understanding of local issues, and a commitment to responsible decision‑making. Council Members regularly engage with complex matters, balance a range of viewpoints, and address sensitive topics in service of the public good.
Serving as a school board trustee means taking on the role of an elected community representative who helps guide the priorities and policies of the local school board. Trustees oversee the board’s budget, set strategic direction, and make decisions that support student learning and well‑being. They bring community perspectives to the board table, ensure the school system responds to local needs, and hold the board accountable to the public it serves.
We encourage you to review the resources below:
- The Ontario municipal councillor’s guide (ontario.ca)
- School board trustee elections (ontario.ca)
- Municipal elections (amo.on.ca)
New Ward Boundaries
In 2025, the City of Barrie underwent a comprehensive review of its ward boundaries. The new ward boundaries will be used for the upcoming Municipal Election and will take effect with the new term of Council. Candidates are encouraged to review the updated ward map, as ward boundary adjustments may affect the communities you intend to represent and the local needs you will be addressing.
To view the new ward boundaries, explore the interactive wards map or the printer-friendly maps of wards 1–10.
Nomination Period Closed
Nominations closed on August 21, 2026 at 2pm. The 2026 Barrie candidates’ information guide remains available for reference.
2026 Municipal Election Information Sessions
The City of Barrie hosted two information sessions to help prospective candidates and third-party advertisers prepare for the 2026 Municipal Election.
- The first info session was hosted by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) on Monday, May 11, 2026. View the MMAH info session presentation.
- The second info session was hosted by the City of Barrie's Election Team on Thursday, May 28, 2026. View the info session presentation.
Key Dates
| Date(s) | Activity |
|---|---|
| May 1, 2026 | Nomination period for candidates begins at 8:30am |
| May 1–December 31, 2026 | Campaign period (may be shortened or extended under certain circumstances) |
| May 1–October 23, 2026 | Registration period for third-party advertisers |
| August 21, 2026 | Nomination day (last day to file a nomination as a candidate, change office, or withdraw a nomination). Nomination forms may be filed between 9am and 2pm. |
| August 24, 2026 | Final day for the City Clerk to certify candidate nominations |
| October 16–October 26, 2026 | Advance voting period |
| October 22, 23, 24 and 26, 2026 | Voter Assistance Centres open (view locations and times) |
| October 26, 2026 | Final voting day |
| November 15, 2026 | 2026–2030 Barrie City Council term begins |