Sirens echo through Barrie as the city declares a state of emergency—a sharp response to a crisis simmering for years in parks, creeks, and downtown streets.
On Tuesday, Barrie, Ontario, pivoted decisively. Mayor Alex Nuttall announced that the city would no longer permit homeless encampments on public land, citing urgent concerns over safety, health, and the mounting costs of inaction. Recent months have brought a cascade of fires, hazardous waste, and rising violence that finally convinced city leadership to act.
The turning point arrived after authorities were forced to clear a major encampment, a move that left a trail of hazardous debris and cleanup bills in the millions. Environmental alarms sounded when city tests showed E. coli levels in Dyment’s Creek, near one encampment, had risen to five times the threshold deemed unsafe for swimming. Despite notification, regional health officials failed to intervene on site, intensifying civic frustration.
Mayor Nuttall’s declaration hands new powers to municipal staff: sites considered high-risk will now be dismantled more swiftly, with external contractors brought in if necessary. The plan also calls for a special task force to coordinate the city’s efforts, tackle illicit drug use, and address gaps in social service delivery. Nuttall demanded action from the County of Simcoe for expanded shelter space and pressed the province to re-examine its funding for local social programs.
According to Nuttall, the spike in unsheltered residents began with the pandemic and has only accelerated, with nearly two dozen encampments now scattered across Barrie. Some individuals, he noted, have come from neighbouring municipalities, increasing strains on city resources. Although provincial and county investments were made last year, city officials believe these measures have failed to prevent the spread of encampments, especially in sensitive areas like parks and waterfronts.
The timeline for dismantling encampments remains uncertain. But by naming the crisis and asserting control over public spaces, Barrie’s leaders have signalled that the city intends to reclaim its streets—setting a precedent that could reverberate across Ontario if higher levels of government do not step up soon.
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Barrie, Ont. mayor declares city-wide state of emergency
