Strong mayor powers were expanded to the Mayor of Barrie and 25 other large and fast-growing municipalities, on July 1, 2023. The designated municipalities are single- or lower-tier municipalities with a population over 100,000, or growing to 100,000 by 2031, that have submitted a housing pledge to the province.
The mayor is required to exercise these powers in writing and make them available to the public, subject to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Mayoral decisions and directions are listed below.
2026 Mayoral Directions
| Direction | Short Description |
|---|---|
| MDIR004-26 | Written direction to staff that the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to execute a cross-border servicing and operations agreements with the Simcoe County Christian Housing Corporation (Tollen dale} and the Town of lnnisfil to support the Tollendale Village Development expansion. Dated April 21, 2026. |
| MDIR003-26 | Written direction to staff to reduce development charges by up to 50% for all applicable developments for the next three years. Dated April 1, 2026. |
| MDIR002-26 | Written direction to staff to rezone key lands owned by the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre to allow for expedited hospital projects. Dated February 26, 2026. |
| MDIR001-26 | Written direction to staff to waive fees associated with Cash-In-Lieu of parkland to an upset limit of $8000 for the County of Simcoe’s Affordable Housing development at 20 Rose Street, in consideration that the City of Barrie is in need of more affordable housing options. Dated January 23, 2026. |
2026 Mayoral Decisions
| Decision | Short Description |
|---|---|
| MD006-26 | Written approval of by-laws. Dated April 15, 2026. |
| MD005-26 | Written approval of by-law. Dated April 1, 2026. |
| MD004-26 | Written approval of by-laws. Dated March 25, 2026. |
| MD003-26 | Written approval of by-laws. Dated March 4, 2026. |
| MD002-26 | Written approval of by-laws. Dated February 4, 2026. |
| MD001-26 | Written approval of by-laws. Dated January 28, 2026. |