Barrie & Area: 1)Barrie Council approves Mayor’s 2026 budget;2) Barrie Police downtown office on the move; 3) City of Barrie launching pilot program to notify individuals who have outstanding court fines; crime:4) OPP charge Barrie man with attempted murder, conspiracy 5) UPDATE: Person arrested following shelter-in-place in Severn Township

1) Barrie Council approves Mayor’s 2026 budget

Barrie360.com and News Release

By Newsroom, November 13, 2025

Barrie City Council has endorsed the City’s portion of Mayor Alex Nuttall’s 2026 Budget, marking the fourth consecutive year with no increase to the City’s operating budget. At the same time, the budget continues a 2% contribution to the Infrastructure Investment Funding levy, ensuring critical upgrades to roads, facilities, and community spaces.

Under Ontario’s Strong Mayor legislation, the Mayor presents a proposed budget to Council before February 1 each year. This year’s plan focuses on keeping taxes stable while investing in projects that enhance quality of life for residents and businesses.

“When I was elected, I promised to keep taxes stable and deliver real value for residents, and I’m proud that, for the fourth year in a row, we’ve been able to do exactly that,” said Mayor Alex Nuttall. “This budget makes important investments in the projects and services that matter most to our community—from new recreation and library spaces to upgraded infrastructure—ensuring Barrie continues to grow and thrive.”

Key Highlights of the 2026 Budget

• New Community Spaces
  • Mixed-use recreation centre and library in south Barrie
  • Performing Arts Centre on the waterfront
  • New facility for Sea Cadets
  • Barrie Public Library satellite branch in northwest Barrie
• Major Collaboration Projects
  • Lakehead University’s Barrie STEM Hub
  • Georgian College downtown location
  • New YMCA in south Barrie
  • Regional Innovation Centre
• Infrastructure & Transportation
  • $41M annually for transportation and construction, including:
    • Yonge/Mapleview road expansion
    • Huronia/McKay sewer improvements
    • 16 neighbourhood renewal projects
  • $19.8M for drainage and sewer upgrades
  • Continued road improvements to reduce congestion
  • Dunlop St. and Bayfield St. bridge replacements (MTO-led)
• Sustainability & Parks
  • Continued electrification of City vehicles
  • Renewal and revitalization of several City parks

What It Means for Residents

The Infrastructure Investment Funding levy will cost the average household about $104 next year. The operating budget covers essential services such as water and wastewater treatment, snow clearing, waste collection, public transit, parks, recreation, and firefighting.

The residential property tax bill includes four components: operations, capital, service partners (library, police, County of Simcoe), and education. While Council controls City services, it has limited influence over service partners and no control over education funding.

Next Steps: The service partner portion of the budget will be reviewed by the Finance and Responsible Governance Committee on November 26, then presented to General Committee on December 3, with final Council approval expected on December 10.

For full details, visit barrie.ca/budget.

2) Barrie Police downtown office on the move

Courtesy Barrie360.com

By Barrie Police Service – Corporate Communications

In early October, the Barrie Police Service downtown office, which was located in the former City of Barrie Transit Terminal, was closed to make way for the new Lakehead University campus.

The office has been relocated to 55 Mulcaster Street and remains well situated to meet the needs of downtown Barrie. Although not staffed or available to the public, it keeps a valued presence in an area that allows the service to continue offering and participating in unique programs and public safety initiatives. After renovations and the addition of computers, this new office will provide a bright new work location for Barrie Police Service members to utilize in downtown Barrie.

“The Barrie Police Service is extremely excited to officially move into this new office and acknowledge that our presence downtown will continue to proudly support those who operate businesses, live and shop in the area,” states Deputy Chief Robert Burke.

3) City of Barrie launching pilot program to notify individuals who have outstanding court fines

Courtesy Barrie360.com and News Release

By City of Barrie

The City of Barrie is implementing a new approach to notifying individuals with outstanding court fines. The program is a pilot, and staff will monitor the success over the next three months.

Beginning Wednesday, October 29th phone calls and text messages will be sent to individuals who provided a telephone number to court services, and who have unpaid fines and are at risk of driver’s licence suspension.

The caller will identify as an AI-powered agent contacting you on behalf of the City of Barrie and will provide instructions to visit barrie.ca/ProvincialOffences for payment options.

Anyone concerned about the legitimacy of any phone call or text message should remember the following important tips:

• Payment will never be taken over the phone during this reminder call. People will only be directed to the existing payment methods through the City of Barrie’s Court Services.

• The calls and text messages will only ever direct individuals to links on the Barrie.ca website.

This initiative is designed to remind individuals about their outstanding fines and provide clear information on how to resolve the matter before licence suspension or collections occurs. Powered by Artificial Intelligence, the automated agents can also answer questions about where, when, and how to make payment.

For more information about Provincial Offences Court System, visit barrie.ca/ProvincialOffences.

Crime: 4) OPP charge Barrie man with attempted murder, conspiracy

Courtesy Barrie360.com

By Ian MacLennan

Two people have been charged, including a Barrie man, and a warrant is out for a third suspect as police probe shootings in Vaughan and Bolton.

Around 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 12, 2020, York Regional Police responded to a shooting on Steeles Avenue West in Vaughan. One victim was transported to hospital for treatment.

On Monday, Jan. 18, 2021, at approximately 12:30 p.m., Caledon OPP says officers responded to a shooting on Harvest Moon Drive in Bolton.

“It was reported that two individuals entered a residence and shot two occupants inside the home, one of whom was the victim of the Nov. 2020 incident in Vaughan,” police said in a news release.

Two people have been charged, including a Barrie man, and a warrant is out for a third suspect as police probe shootings in Vaughan and Bolton.

Police located the other occupant, 65-year-old Giovanni Costa of Bolton, dead at the scene.

On Tuesday, Nov. 11, a 28-year-old Barrie man was charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, discharging a firearm with intent, and possession of firearms contrary to a prohibition order.

On Wednesday, Nov. 12, a 25-year-old Toronto man was charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder.

Both of the accused remain in custody and have a court date on Nov. 20.

A warrant has been issued for a 48-year-old London man on charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit murder.

Police say members of the public are urged not to approach this individual.

While the first incident was initially investigated by YRP, both incidents are now being investigated by Caledon OPP.

The provincial government is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Costa’s murder.

5. UPDATE: Person arrested following shelter-in-place in Severn Township

Courtesy News Release

By Orillia OPP, November 14, 2025

Shelter-in-place alert issued in Severn Township by OPP – November 13, 2025

Members of the Orillia Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are responding to responding to an active incident involving an armed individual in the area of Maple Valley Road and Telford Line in Severn.

Members of the public in this area are urged to shelter-in-place and adhere to the following safety precautions:

If you are outside, seek shelter immediately in a secure location.

If you are inside, remain there and lock all doors and windows.

Do not approach or engage with the suspects. Call 9-1-1 immediately if you see or encounter them.

Close curtains or blinds to avoid drawing attention.

If driving, proceed directly to your destination and lock your doors upon arrival.

Do not pick up hitchhikers.

Follow all instructions from officers on scene.

Individuals not currently in the affected area are requested to avoid travelling there until further notice. The public can expect an increased police presence as officers continue their investigation.

We recognize the significant emotional impact that receiving a shelter-in-place order can cause. The OPP is taking every precaution necessary to resolve this situation. We ask all members of the public to take actions to protect their safety while police work to apprehend the individual.

UPDATED:

A 29-year-old Gravenhurst man has been charged following a shelter-in-place advisory issued by the Ontario Provincial Police around 9 p.m. on Thursday, in response to an incident involving a potentially armed person in Severn Township.

In an update on Friday morning, police said the individual was located and no weapons were found.

The suspect was arrested on an outstanding warrant, and he remains in custody pending a bail hearing.

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Friday, November 14

OPP Orillia Detachment has lifted the shelter-in-place advisory in the area of Maple Valley Road and Telford Line in Severn. Affected residents may resume their regular activities, as there is no threat to public safety.

The shelter-in-place advisory was issued on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at around 9:20 p.m. in response to an active incident involving an armed individual. As part of the initial response, members of the public in the affected area were urged to follow shelter-in-place precautions.

Orillia OPP thanks members of the public for their cooperation and understanding. A police presence may remain in the area as the investigation continues. No further information will be released at this time.

If you have any information regarding this incident or may have seen anything suspicious, please contact OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.