County of Simcoe services impacted by severe weather, significant weather events still in place: 1)City of Barrie,Alert High: level: 10:05am Thu. Jan. 8 2)City of Orillia (Update as of Jan. 7, 2026:The Significant Weather Event remains in effect.)

In response to the severe weather moving through the area, a significant weather event is in effect for the City of Barrie, impacting travel and services throughout the municipality. 

City crews hauled 210 truckloads of snow from Downtown Orillia last night as part of our road-widening operations. Crews will continue downtown tonight before moving on to arterial roads. Please drive safely and watch for snow removal vehicles, your patience is greatly appreciated as City crews carry out this work.

1) City of Barrie

Courtesy Barrie360.com and News Release

By Release, December 30, 2025 – January 2, 2026

During the significant weather event, motorists and residents are advised to use extra caution as the City may not be able to meet its maintenance standards for roads, bike lanes, and sidewalks due to ice and freezing rain conditions. 

It may take longer than usual to bring the roads and sidewalks back to optimal conditions. When the declaration is over, the standard timeline for road and sidewalk winter maintenance will begin.

Here are a few reminders for Barrie residents during significant winter weather events:

• On-street parking is not permitted on City streets from 12:01–7am and 3–6am within the Downtown Business Improvement Area, from December 1 through to March 31.
• When shovelling, clear a flat spot beside or at the end of your driveway to place your organics and garbage carts, recycling boxes, and/or Christmas tree. Do not place them on top of the snowbank. Please read winter considerations for curbside collection.
• For up-to-date information on recreation program cancellations, visit barrie.ca/RecCancellations.

For information about winter road and sidewalk maintenance, please visit barrie.ca/snow. For further information on current and forecasted weather conditions, please visit the Environment Canada website at ec.gc.ca.

This alert will be updated should there be any additional impacts to City services. 

Related Links

• Winter Road & Sidewalk Maintenance
• Winter Considerations for Curbside Collection
• Overnight Parking By-law

1) City of Barrie declares Significant Weather Event and Snow Removal

Courtesy Barrie360.com and News Release
By Release, December 28, 2025

In response to the freezing rain moving through the area, the City of Barrie has declared a significant weather event that will impact travel and services throughout the municipality.

This declaration is made in accordance with the Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways (Ontario Regulation 239/02), and is in effect starting December 28, 2025 at 3 p.m.

This declaration is being made due to the ongoing Environment Canada freezing rain warning for the Barrie area.

During the significant weather event, motorists and residents are advised to use extra caution as the City may not be able to meet its maintenance standards for roads, bike lanes, and sidewalks due to ice and freezing rain conditions.

It may take longer than usual to bring the roads and sidewalks back to optimal conditions. When the declaration is over, the standard timeline for road and sidewalk winter maintenance will begin.
Reminder: On-street parking is not permitted on City streets from 12:01–7 a.m. and 3–6am within the Downtown Business Improvement Area, from December 1 through to March 31.

For information about road and sidewalk maintenance, please visit barrie.ca/snow. For further information on current and forecasted weather conditions, please visit the Environment Canada website at ec.gc.ca.
The City will provide an update when the significant event has ended.

After days of significant snowfall, the City will be performing snow removal operations in the downtown area during the overnight hours, starting Sunday night. The snow removal will take place from 10 p.m. on Jan. 4 until 7 a.m. on Jan. 5 and again from 10 p.m. on Jan. 5 until 7 a.m. on Jan. 6.

Snow removal operations are an essential part of the City’s efforts to keep the streets clear for residents, as well as for emergency vehicles.