Barrie Construction News staff writer
The Ontario government has introduced legislation that would transfer about 1,673 hectares of land from the Townships of Oro-Medonte and Springwater to the City of Barrie to address long-term housing and employment needs in Simcoe County.
The Barrie-Oro-Medonte-Springwater Boundary Adjustment Act, 2025, introduced last week, would unlock space for up to 8,000 new homes, support major economic investments and align development with regional transportation projects, including the Barrie GO Line expansion and the Bradford Bypass.
Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack said the proposed boundary adjustment will help ensure growth happens where it is needed and can be serviced efficiently.
“Our government is taking action to support the construction of new homes where it makes sense and is needed most,” Flack said in a statement. “This boundary change will benefit the entire region by protecting jobs and accelerating economic growth in Simcoe County, while laying the groundwork for more people to live here.”
Barrie, the largest urban centre in Simcoe County, has grown nearly 13 per cent in the past two years and is facing a shortage of developable land. Provincial projections show the city could run out of residential land in the 2030s and employment land in the 2040s without expansion. Officials warn that delays in securing additional land put future housing and job-creation targets at risk.
Although the city is short on land, it has water and wastewater servicing capacity available to support new development. The province says the land transfer would allow Barrie to quickly and cost-effectively use that capacity to advance construction, business expansion and planning for long-term infrastructure — creating housing for an estimated 23,000 additional residents.
The Office of the Provincial Land and Development Facilitator would guide transition discussions among Barrie, Oro-Medonte, Springwater and the County of Simcoe, including negotiations on financial compensation to the townships. The office has worked with the municipalities since May 2024 but was unable to reach a voluntary agreement after 18 months of talks.
The legislation includes authority for the minister to adjust ward boundaries ahead of the 2026 municipal election. If passed, the boundary change would take effect on Jan. 1, 2026, or upon Royal Assent, whichever is later.