Barrie City Council Rethinks Controversial Bills Following Public Outcry, Advances Plans for New Support Centre

During last week's City Council Meeting at Barrie City Hall, the council members engaged in various matters of business.

On the weekend of June 17 and 18, Bills 67 and 68 emerged on the agenda for the June 21 City Council meeting. These proposed legislations aimed to outlaw the distribution of food and other essentials on public land, with fines ranging from $500 to $100,000. These potential amendments sparked a significant outcry on local, provincial, and federal levels. Protesters set up tents outside the City Hall, and the Federal Housing Advocate, stationed at the Canadian Human Rights Commission, wrote to the council denouncing the proposed by-laws and urging abstention from their passage. A record number of protestors rallied outside the City Hall and later gathered in the chambers for a silent protest.

Faced with unexpected yet substantial public opposition and a robust awareness campaign that drew national criticism, the Barrie City Council decided to reassess Bills 67 and 68. These bills are now directed back to City staff for a more comprehensive review.

In the course of the meeting, Deputy Mayor Robert Thomson and Councillor Morales introduced a motion without notice proposing the use of 29 Sperling Drive as a warming and cooling center, as well as a food distribution hub. Mayor Alex Nuttall recognized the site's distance from downtown Barrie, which hosts the majority of the homeless population and associated support services. Despite this, the proposal received unanimous approval from the council.

Further business conducted during the council meeting involved several deputations concerning the developments at 15 Harvey Road and 49 Collier Street.