Boundary Expansion

On December 9, 2025, the Province of Ontario passed the Barrie–Oro-Medonte–Springwater Boundary Adjustment Act, 2025, which provides for the annexation of portions of the Township of Oro-Medonte and the Township of Springwater to the City of Barrie to support long-term housing, employment, and infrastructure growth.

As of January 1, 2026, impacted properties are officially part of the City of Barrie, and their municipal services will be provided by the City. This webpage has been created to help guide new residents through the transition.

Unsure if your property is impacted?  Explore the Neighbourhood Services Web App to view the annexed lands or search by address. 

New residents are invited to an open house on Thursday, January 15, 3–7pm, at Barrie City Hall (70 Collier Street). Meet City staff, learn more about services, and get your questions answered. 

Ward Boundaries

New Barrie residents are represented by Barrie City Council. Explore the My Neighbourhood Services Web App to find out which ward you're a part of and to access contact information for your City Councillor.

City staff and Councillors are your primary contacts for municipal services and issues. Township representatives no longer have jurisdiction over properties within the new Barrie lands.

Curbside Waste Collection (Organics, Garbage and Yard Waste) 

Curbside waste collection will continue to be provided by the County of Simcoe through January. The City of Barrie will begin waste collection the week of February 2, 2026. 

  • Your final County of Simcoe organics and garbage pickup will take place on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Please place your organics and garbage carts (even if empty) to the road. 
  • Following your last collection on January 27, please leave County of Simcoe organics and garbage carts out at the road where they will be collected and exchanged for City of Barrie carts. 
  • You can begin using your new carts immediately for your first City of Barrie waste collection the week of February 2, 2026.

Learn about the City’s waste program

For specific questions regarding servicing for your property, please contact waste@barrie.ca.

Road Maintenance

All road maintenance (snow clearing, salting, and pothole repair) will be continued without interruption throughout the transition. Some services will continue to be delivered by the County of Simcoe and the Township of Springwater through winter 2026 to ensure uninterrupted service. 

Property Taxes

Beginning in 2026, your property taxes will be paid to the City of Barrie. The City and Townships have different tax rates and service levels. To minimize impacts, any increases will be phased in: 

  • 20-year phase-in for farm property or managed forest property classes 
  • 5-year phase-in for all other property classes  

Important: Please do not pay property taxes to your previous township after December 31, 2025. If you had a pre-authorized payment (PAP) with your previous township, that will have ended on the transition day and it will not be transferred to Barrie. 

Learn about Barrie's PAP Plan 

To help you prepare, you will receive a letter early in 2026 with details of tax impacts and instructions for next steps. 

Interim Control By-law

On December 23, 2025, Barrie City Council passed an Interim Control By-law for most* properties within the Boundary Expansion area. This by-law temporarily limits what land, buildings, or structures can be used for. Until the by-law is lifted, extended, or expires on December 23, 2026, properties can only be used as they were on January 1, 2026

The purpose of this by-law is to give the City time to complete a detailed land use and infrastructure planning study to properly integrate these lands into Barrie.

What Does this Mean?

No new land uses or development can happen unless it falls under these exemptions:

  • Existing accessory buildings and structures
  • Walkways at ground level for accessibility
  • Changes to a building or structure required by an order from the Chief Building Official
  • Landscaping or planting ground cover like grass and flowers
  • Temporary event tents
  • Temporary snow fencing
  • Municipal buildings, structures, programs, or operations

*Properties excluded from the interim control by-law:

  • 0/ 348 Georgian Drive 
  • 366 Penetanguishene Road 
  • 384 Penetanguishene Road 
  • 3218 Wilson Drive 
  • 816 Sunnidale Road 
  • 700 Sunnidale Road

Other City Services Available

Get Connected

Information about City programs and services is available on this website, and you can stay connected by following the City of Barrie on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. You can also download the free City of Barrie app for curbside collection and winter maintenance information, to explore recreation opportunities, and to access additional City services.

Service Barrie is also available to assist you:

Frequently Asked Questions

General

By-laws and Regulations

Parking & Transit

Waste Management

Building Permits

Fire Services

Background on the Boundary Expansion Discussions

Joint Land Needs Analysis & Study

In September 2024, the parties jointly retained Hemson Consulting to complete a Joint Land Needs Analysis and Study. This study determined the need for additional employment and residential land within and around the City of Barrie, the Township of Oro-Medonte, and the Township of Springwater.   

Restructuring Proposals

Sections 171–173 of the Municipal Act set out a process for municipalities to work together to adjust boundaries and submit a proposal to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. The Municipal Act allows the Minister to issue an Order to implement a restructuring proposal to adjust municipal boundaries by annexing part of a municipality to another municipality.

Provincial Legislation

On November 25, 2025, the Province of Ontario introduced the Barrie-Oro-Medonte-Springwater Boundary Adjustment Act, 2025. The legislation was passed on December 9, 2025.

Boundary Expansion Communications

Related Links