Overnight Protest Outside Barrie City Hall Highlights Plight of Homeless as Council Meets Inside

Protestors camped outside Barrie City Hall last Wednesday as city council met inside, drawing attention to the challenges faced by homeless individuals as temperatures began to drop. The demonstration was organized to show solidarity with unhoused individuals and to invite council members to experience firsthand the realities of surviving a Canadian winter without shelter.

Deepak Bidwai – Local Journalism Initiative

Community leader Celeste explained the purpose of the event, saying, “We’re setting up these little pop-up tents in the event that any city council member wants to join us this evening to get a taste for how it is out here for our unhoused friends and neighbors. No response on that, though.”

Christine Naylar, co-founder of Ryan’s Hope, a grassroots non-profit organization, emphasized the protest's focus on raising awareness. “We’re setting up some food and spending the night here for our second solidarity sleep-out, to show support for our unsheltered friends,” she said. “We’re going to see what it’s like to spend a night outside in this kind of weather.”

As the protest continued outside, the council convened inside to address two key agenda items: Deloitte’s Value for Money Service Audit and a proposed development on Dundonald Street.

Deloitte Audit Highlights Service Agreement Compliance

Deloitte presented findings from its Value for Money Service Audit, evaluating the Municipal Services Management Agreement between the City of Barrie and the County of Simcoe. The audit examined fiscal years 2021-2023, focusing on cost-sharing compliance and service outcomes.

The audit found the County compliant with cost allocation methods, including caseloads and weighted tax assessments. Provincial and federal grants were appropriately distributed, and the County’s services were competitively benchmarked against similar municipalities. However, Deloitte recommended improvements to capital allocation methods, including aligning contributions with usage and useful life of assets.

Council welcomed the audit's findings and directed staff to integrate recommendations into future negotiations with the County, though some members called for deeper analysis of administrative costs and operational efficiencies.

Dundonald Street Development Denied

In a separate matter, the council denied a zoning bylaw amendment for a six-story residential development at 19 Dundonald Street. The proposed 50-unit building faced substantial opposition from residents and council members, citing concerns about safety, community character, and infrastructure compatibility.

Dundonald Street’s steep incline was a key issue, with fears that additional traffic could worsen hazardous conditions, particularly in winter. Residents also argued the building’s scale was out of step with the neighborhood, even after its height was reduced from nine to six stories.

The council unanimously voted to deny the application, reaffirming its commitment to balancing intensification goals with safety and community standards. Future development proposals will likely be evaluated against similar criteria, ensuring alignment with local infrastructure upgrades planned for 2026-2027.