Oro-Medonte Group Slams Barrie Annexation, Calls for Mayor Nuttall’s Apology Citing Hemson Report

Tensions ran high at last week’s Barrie City Council meeting as protestors from Oro-Medonte filled the chamber to oppose a proposed annexation of township land. The meeting featured a detailed presentation from Hemson Consulting Group, followed by impassioned pleas from residents and advocacy groups concerned about the plan's far-reaching implications.

Hemson’s presentation centred on Barrie’s long-term growth needs, as outlined in a comprehensive land needs assessment report. The findings highlighted the city’s challenges in meeting housing and employment land targets through 2051. Although Barrie has a theoretical surplus of employment land, the report stressed the critical shortage of market-ready, shovel-ready sites needed to attract businesses and spur economic growth.

The report also underscored the city's ambitious housing intensification strategy, emphasizing the need to build at unprecedented densities to achieve population targets in Barrie’s official plan. However, Hemson warned that the current rate of intensification falls short of the necessary trajectory, requiring significant adjustments in development patterns.

Oro-Medonte Residents Voice Strong Opposition  

Protestors from Oro-Medonte expressed deep concerns about the annexation proposal during the public comment period. Jane Voorheis, a representative from the advocacy group Friends of the Future, described the annexation as a “short-sighted” approach to growth. She argued that it would destroy agricultural land, harm the environment, and erode the township’s rural identity. 

“We’ve seen this before—Barrie annexed land from Innisfil over a decade ago, and much of that land remains undeveloped,” Voorheis said in an interview after the meeting. “The Hemson Report itself shows that Barrie has sufficient industrial land within its existing borders. Why is annexation the answer?”

Voorheis also noted that the proposed annexation would affect a small country road, a historic church and cemetery, and several residential neighbourhoods near institutions like a college and a hospital. She called on Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall to apologize for initiating the annexation process, which she claimed had already cost Oro-Medonte taxpayers over $20,000.

Council Weighs Long-Term Growth Against Regional Impacts  

Barrie City Councilors questioned the Hemson Report’s conclusions and debated the broader implications of annexation for both municipalities. Some members raised concerns about whether annexing additional land would solve the immediate challenges of infrastructure and market readiness or merely defer them.

Deputy Mayor Robert Thompson proposed an amendment to increase Barrie’s land request to 4,000 acres. The amendment, which passed, includes provisions for protecting Little Lake and directs staff to expedite negotiations with neighbouring municipalities and the province. A progress report on Stage 3 plans is expected by January 8, 2025.

Oro-Medonte’s Next Steps  

Voorheis commended Oro-Medonte Council for its transparency and commitment to listening to community concerns. She emphasized that the council and residents would carefully review the Hemson Report’s findings on housing and population growth to ensure any future decisions align with the township’s values and priorities.

“This isn’t just about Oro-Medonte; it’s about protecting farmland, preserving the environment, and ensuring that growth is sustainable for the entire region,” she said.

As the dispute between Barrie and Oro-Medonte continues, the broader debate over balancing regional growth with environmental and community preservation remains a pressing issue for Simcoe County.