Barrie's mayors and councils since 1854

Every Barrie council from the first municipal election in 1854 to the council elected in 2022: 131 councils and 1,668 entries, as the City of Barrie's own list of council members prints them — reeves and deputy reeves, mayors, aldermen and, from 2003, councillors.

Names, offices and notes are exactly as the City prints them, spellings included.

Where the City marks an entry unconfirmed (in red, in its list), this page says so: 20 entries carry that mark, nearly all before 1950. Every name links to a profile. People who ran for office from 2003 on are linked to their candidate profiles: by the seat they won in that term, or, before 2003, where a later term prints the name identically or a news report on file says the person served. Everyone else has a profile built from this list. The same name across terms counts as one person unless more than 20 years separate its appearances; and two forms of a name (“W.C. McLean” and “William C. McLean”) count as one person only when they never sit on the same council and appear within six years of each other. A profile built this way says so.

What this list is not. It is the City's record, not this site's research, and it is the only source here for terms before 2003, except for the heads of council, whose table carries this site's research on each in a column of its own.

Before 1854 Barrie had no council of its own; some 19th-century councils are listed out of order or without offices, and the City's own notes say where. Ward numbers mean different areas in different eras: the ward map was redrawn many times. For council after 2003 with votes and sources, see the candidate profiles and the boards and committees record.

Milestones

Dated events in Barrie's municipal history, from the history, notices and notes the City prints with its list, in this site's words. Each is tied to the council it belongs to, so it also appears on the profile of anyone on that council who has a profile on this site.

Milestones in Barrie's municipal history, from the City's list
Date	What happened	Council
1851	More than 1,000 people now live in Barrie, and they petition to separate from Vespra Township and become a town.	before the first council
September 23, 1853	Barrie's village status, with a reeve rather than a mayor, is proclaimed, to take effect January 1, 1854.	before the first council
January 2, 1854	Barrie's first municipal election. Jonathan Lane is elected the first reeve. Jonathan Lane's profile.	1854
December 9, 1856	Council's books of minutes and by-laws burn in a fire at the home of the town clerk, George Lane.	1856
1861	Dr. A. Pass, Barrie's first doctor and a past councillor, dies.	1861
January 1, 1871	Barrie becomes an incorporated town, divided into three wards: St. George's, St. Andrew's and St. Patrick's.	1871
January 2, 1871	Robert Simpson, a brewer, is elected Barrie's first mayor. Robert Simpson's profile.	1871
1887	Barrie's wards go from three to five: St. Patrick, St. Andrew, Victoria, St. David and St. George.	1887
December 15, 1896	Barrie annexes the Village of Allandale, which becomes the town's sixth ward.	1897
January 11, 1900	The Northern Advance reports that Barrie's councillors are now to be called aldermen.	1900
December 3, 1928	For the first time, the municipal election is held in December instead of on the first Monday in January.	1929
1935	No municipal election is held, because of the economic depression.	1935
1936	No municipal election is held, for economic reasons.	1936
1937	No municipal election: every civic office but one is filled by acclamation.	1937
1938	No municipal election for a fourth straight year: every civic office is acclaimed, one of them decided by the flip of a coin.	1938
1940	No municipal election: the mayor and council are returned by acclamation, and three vacancies are filled without an election.	1940
1946	Mary Laurie becomes the first woman on Barrie's town council. Mary B. Laurie's profile.	1946
1951	Marjorie Hamilton becomes Barrie's first woman mayor. Marjorie M. Hamilton's profile.	1951
1954	Heber E. Smith becomes a member of Parliament. Heber E. Smith's profile.	1954
November 28, 1955	M.M. Hamilton resigns from council and becomes a judge. Marjorie M. Hamilton's profile.	1955
September 22, 1958	The town passes By-law 2349, applying to the Ontario Municipal Board to make Barrie a city.	1958
January 1, 1959	Barrie becomes a city, Simcoe County's first. The offices of reeve and deputy reeve end, and the six wards become four, with three members each.	1959
December 17, 1959	Barrie formally separates from Simcoe County, becoming a separated city.	1959
1960	Council terms become two years long, replacing annual elections.	1960–1961
November 24, 1961	Otto D. Williams, a member of this council, dies. Otto D. Williams's profile.	1960–1961
1972	This council is elected for a one-year term.	1972
1973	Council terms go back to two years.	1973–1974
1982	Council terms become three years long.	1982–1985
1985	Ed Harper becomes a member of Parliament. E.D. (Ed) Harper's profile.	1985–1988
1995	J.N. Tascona and A.E. Carroll leave council for higher office; the City's list says both “became Members of Parliament”. Joe Tascona's profile. Aileen Carroll's profile. Joe Tascona's seat was in the Ontario legislature: the Barrie Examiner (January 5, 2010) calls him a “former Barriearea MPP (1995-2007)”.	1995–1997
2000	Brian Norton is appointed a justice of the peace. Brian Norton's profile.	2000–2003
2003	The official title of a council member changes from alderman to councillor.	2003–2006
February 13, 2006	Patrick Brown resigns from council on becoming a member of Parliament. Patrick Brown's profile.	2003–2006
May 10, 2006	Ontario lengthens municipal council terms from three years to four, starting with the council elected in 2006.	2006–2010
October 2015	John Brassard resigns from council after being elected the member of Parliament for Barrie–Innisfil. John Brassard's profile.	2014–2018
October 2019	Doug Shipley resigns from council after being elected a member of Parliament. Doug Shipley's profile.	2018–2022

Source: City of Barrie, Members of Barrie Councils, 1837 to 2022 (updated November 2022); each milestone is checked word for word against it.

The note on J.N. Tascona: Barrie Examiner, January 5, 2010.

Mayors and reeves

The City's own tables of Barrie's heads of council: reeves while it was a village, mayors since it became a town in 1871. Each term links to that council below; names link to a profile on this site where there is one. Names stay as the City prints them; the last column is this site's own research, giving a fuller name where other sources print one, years of life and occupation, each with its sources.

Mayors of Barrie, 1871 to the council elected in 2022
Term	Mayor	The City's note	From other sources
1871–1872	Robert Simpson		1817–1891; brewer (Simcoe Steam Brewery) 4 sources archive.org: CBD 1880: "the first mayor of the town of Barrie" and held it "at sundry times" archive.org: Hunter vol. 2 p.210: town in 1871 with Robert Simpson as first Mayor archive.org: 1884 sketch: mayor 1870, 71, 72; again 1876 en.wikipedia.org: secondary: 1871-1872
1873–1875	William Fuller Alves Boys		1833–1914; barrister (LL.B. Toronto 1861, called 1861); law partner (McCarthy, Boys and Pepler); Junior Judge of Simcoe County 1883-1908; author of a treatise on coroners 8 sources archive.org: Morgan, Canadian Men and Women of the Time 1898: "BOYS, His Honour William Fuller Alves", son of Dr. Henry Boys and Maria da Purificacao Alves, born New York 12 March 1833, Mayor of Barrie 1873-5, Junior Judge 27 Sept 1883 archive.org: 1884 sketch: William Boys mayor 1873-75; "William F. A. Boys, Esq., Junior County Judge" archive.org: Hunter vol. 1: "William F. A. Boys, Junior Judge, 1883-1908" archive.org: UCC Roll 1917: born March 12, 1833; Jr. Judge Simcoe 1883; "D. at Barrie, Nov. 29" [year cut off in OCR] biographi.ca: DCB: father Henry Boys, son of William Boys and Jane Fuller, m. Maria ... Alves; died Barrie 1868 digitalarchiveontariotest.emuseum.com: catalogue heading: Boys, William Fuller Alves, 1833-1914 archive.org: Morgan 1912: William Alves Boys b. 1868, son of Judge Boys and Mary Frances Morgan, mayor 1902-04 en.wikipedia.org: secondary: conflated
1876	Robert Simpson		1817–1891; brewer (Simcoe Steam Brewery) 3 sources archive.org: 1884 sketch: Simpson again in 1876 archive.org: CBD 1880: mayor "at sundry times" en.wikipedia.org: secondary: 1876
1877–1881	William David Ardagh		William Davis Ardagh; 1828–1893; lawyer; private banker and broker; later judge in Manitoba 4 sources archive.org: CBD 1880: mayor since 1877 archive.org: 1884 sketch: "W. D. Ardach in 1877, 78, 79 and 80" mhs.mb.ca: MHS: in 1882, his first year in Manitoba, appointed Deputy Attorney-General en.wikipedia.org: secondary: W. D. Ardagh 1877-1881
1882–1886	Henry Sewrey		died 1911; iron founder and machinist, proprietor of the Barrie Foundry (established 1867); inventor (U.S. patents: rotary engine 1885, metal driving-belt 1894) 5 sources archive.org: 1884 sketch: "MAYOR, Henry Sewrey, Esq., proprietor Barrie Foundry"; earlier a reeve archive.org: Daily Colonist 2 Oct 1885, Barrie Sept. 24: "Geo. Sewrey ... father of Mayor Sewrey" injured in "his son's foundry" archive.org: Intelligencer Jan 1911 snippet: "Barrie, Jan. 3.—Henry Sewrey, formerly mayor of Barrie" dead archive.org: Simcoe gazetteer: Barrie Foundry, Henry Sewrey proprietor, established 1867 en.wikipedia.org: secondary: "Henry Sewery" 1882-1886
1887–1888	Charles Hammond Ross		dry goods merchant (clerk then partner of T. D. McConkey; Ross & Gilchrist); private banker; Justice of the Peace 1885; later Police Magistrate of Barrie (resigned 1905) 6 sources archive.org: Our Dominion 1887: "C. H. Ross, Esq., Mayor of Barrie", born Hull, Yorkshire; at 15 joined his father Benjamin Ross in Innisfil; dry goods with McConkey; private banker; reeve and deputy reeve ten of fifteen council years; mayor by acclamation this year archive.org: 1884 sketch: "REEVE, Charles H. Ross, Esq., Private Banker" archive.org: Hunter vol. 2: "Squire" Benjamin Ross of Innisfil, "one of whom being ex-Mayor C. H. Ross, of Barrie" archive.org: Ontario Sessional Papers 1890: "Charles Hammond Ross ... of Barrie" archive.org: Ontario Sessional Papers 1906: G. A. Radenhurst appointed Barrie police magistrate "in the room and stead of Charles Hammond Ross, Esquire, resigned", Gazette 22 July en.wikipedia.org: secondary: C. H. Ross 1887-1888
1889–1891	F.E.P. Pepler		Francis Edward Philip Pepler; 1852–1899 or 1900; barrister, Q.C.; partner in McCarthy, Boys and Pepler (later McCarthy, Pepler & Corbould); Simcoe County solicitor 8 sources archive.org: Chadwick, Ontarian Families 1898: "Frances-Edward-Philip, b. 19th April 1852, Barrister-at-law, Q.C., of Barrie", son of James Pepler, m. 1881 Annie-Theodora Bernard archive.org: Cote 1896 Q.C. list: "Francis Edward Philip Pepler" archive.org: call to the bar 1876: "Francis Edward Philip Pepler" archive.org: Ladywood 1992: "Frank E. Pepler was Mayor of Barrie from 1889-91" archive.org: Simcoe County Pioneer and Historical Society report dated June 5, 1900: "We have had to regret the death of F. E. P. Pepler, Q.C." during the year from June 1899 archive.org: Hunter vol. 1: county solicitor until "the death of Mr. Pepler" barriearchive.ca: Barrie Historical Archive: home of former mayor F. E. P. Pepler, 113 Collier St en.wikipedia.org: secondary: F. E. P. Pepler 1889-1891
1892–1894	Alfred E.H. Creswicke		Alfred Edwin Horace Creswicke; 1860–1915; barrister, K.C. 1908; Simcoe County Solicitor 1909; Bencher of the Law Society 1911 5 sources archive.org: Law Society of Upper Canada, Journal of Proceedings 1911-16, June 1915 memorial: "Alfred Edwin Horace Creswicke, K.C." born Barrie 1860, second son of County Surveyor Henry Creswicke, died suddenly at Barrie Friday 7 May [1915]; "For some years he was Mayor of the town of Barrie" archive.org: Hunter vol. 2: Henry Creswicke's son "Alfred E. H. Creswicke is the County Solicitor" archive.org: Hunter vol. 1: A. E. H. Creswicke appointed County Solicitor January 1909 barriearchive.ca: Barrie Historical Archive: "Mrs. Alfred Edwin Creswicke" en.wikipedia.org: secondary: A. E. H. Creswicke 1892-1894
1895–1896	John M. Bothwell		died 1915 or 1916; grocer and provisions merchant, Dunlop Street, Barrie 5 sources archive.org: Victoria Daily Times 9 Jan 1895: Barrie, J. M. Bothwell, in a list of mayors archive.org: Peterborough Examiner snippet: "Mayor Bothwell, of Barrie" archive.org: Barrie and Lake Simcoe 1903 ad: "John M. Bothwell, Groceries & Provisions, Barrie" archive.org: 1916 food bulletin: "J. M. Bothwell Estate" en.wikipedia.org: secondary: J. M. Bothwell 1895-1896
1897–1899	Dr. Samuel M. Wells		not researched to a confident reading
1900–1901	George A. Radenhurst		George Arthur Radenhurst; died 1921; barrister (called 1876; B.A. 1869, M.A. 1874 Toronto); Police Magistrate of Barrie 1905-1921 6 sources archive.org: Canadian Municipal Union 1901: "G. A. Radenhurst Mayor Barrie" archive.org: Ontario Sessional Papers 1906: "George Arthur Radenhurst, of the Town of Barrie ... Barrister-at-law, to be Police Magistrate", succeeding Charles Hammond Ross archive.org: U of T Monthly vol. 22: died suddenly October 18 [1921] of heart failure, "George Arthur Radenhurst, B.A. (U.C.) '69, M.A. '74, for about twenty years Police Magistrate of Barrie" archive.org: R.A.M. 1922 deaths: "George Arthur Radenhurst, 19 Oct., 1921" barriearchive.ca: Barrie Historical Archive: police magistrate and former Mayor en.wikipedia.org: secondary: G. A. Radenhurst 1900-1901
1902–1904	William Alves “Pro” Boys		William Alves Boys; 1868–1938; barrister (K.C. 1910); later MP Simcoe South 1912-1925 and Simcoe North 1925-1930 4 sources lop.parl.ca: born 1868-07-09 Barrie, died 1938-02-20, barrister; Barrie Mayor 1902-1904, Simcoe County Commissioner 1905-1906, Warden 1907 tennisarchives.com: quotes Who's Who in Canada 1927: son of Judge William Fuller Alves Boys; Mayor of Barrie 1902-1904; died Augusta, Georgia 1938-02-20; played as "J.R. Boys" archive.org: William A. Boys, born Barrie July 9 1868, barrister, elected mayor by acclamation January 1902 and 1903 en.wikipedia.org: secondary: mayor 1902-1904; 1868-1938/1939
1905–1906	Donald Ross		not researched to a confident reading
1907–1908	John Henry Bennett		3 sources barriearchive.ca: Humphrey Bennett, father of Barrie mayor John Bennett barriearchive.ca: grave in Barrie Union Cemetery; tag Fannie Augusta Meeking barriearchive.ca: home at 178 Bayfield St built 1895
1909	James Vair		grocer / wholesale produce merchant (James Vair & Sons, Dunlop St.) 4 sources archive.org: 1909: "Barrie, June 23. - Mayor Vair, grocer" archive.org: "Mayor Vair, of Barrie, wholesale produce merchant" archive.org: "George Vair, brother of ex-Mayor Vair, of Barrie" archive.org: Barrie 1908: "James Vair & Sons"
1910–1911	Thomas Beecroft		not researched to a confident reading
1912–1914	Alexander Cowan		1867–1941; lawyer (Osgoode Hall 1893; K.C.); militia officer (81st Battalion) 3 sources archive.org: born 16 Mar 1867 at Mallinburn Farm, Innisfil; lawyer in Barrie 47 years; died at home 16 Jan 1941; mayor three years; Liberal; Presbyterian archive.org: "Col. Alexander Cowan, former mayor of Barrie, Ont., 81st Battalion" archive.org: "Lt.-Col. Alexander Cowan ... Barrie"
1915–1917	John Franklin Craig		4 sources archive.org: Wellesley Hospital history: letter from "Mayor Craig of Barrie" about his daughter Hazel archive.org: "J. H. Craig, Esq., Mayor" of Barrie - OCR/print form archive.org: name list "John Franklin Craig" en.wikipedia.org: secondary: "John F. Craig" 1915-1917, 1924-1926, 1932-1934
1918–1920	Dr. Robert J. Sprott		Robert John Sprott; 1872–1956; dentist (D.D.S., L.D.S.; Royal College of Dental Surgeons 1900; practised in Barrie 1903-1947; President Ontario Dental Association 1923) 3 sources archive.org: Robert John Sprott born Singhampton 14 Aug 1872, died at home in Barrie 12 Feb 1956; dentist; alderman 1910; Mayor 1918-19 and 1920 archive.org: "Dr. R. J. Sprott, D.D.S., L.D.S., President Ontario Dental Society; Mayor of Barrie, Ontario, 1917-1920" archive.org: 1923: "R. J. Sprott, D.D.S., Barrie, Ont."
1921–1923	John Little		not researched to a confident reading
1924–1926	John Franklin Craig		4 sources archive.org: Wellesley Hospital history: letter from "Mayor Craig of Barrie" about his daughter Hazel archive.org: "J. H. Craig, Esq., Mayor" of Barrie - OCR/print form archive.org: name list "John Franklin Craig" en.wikipedia.org: secondary: "John F. Craig" 1915-1917, 1924-1926, 1932-1934
Jan. to May 1927	Walter Norris Duff		Walter Norris Talbot Duff; 1882–1955; railway clerk (Grand Trunk / Canadian National Railway; Chief Clerk, Superintendent's office, Barrie; from 1927 Chief Clerk, Northern Division, North Bay) 4 sources archive.org: 25 May 1927: CNR summoned him; "immediate removal by promotion ... from Barrie to North Bay, and his enforced resignation from the position of Mayor of the Town of Barrie" archive.org: Walter Norris Talbot Duff, born Barrie 11 Jan 1882, died Toronto General Hospital 14 Apr 1955; Grand Trunk Railway from 1900; went to North Bay in 1927 as Chief Clerk, Northern Division; "Alderman and finally Mayor of Barrie" archive.org: "Walter Norris Duff, of Barrie" en.wikipedia.org: secondary: lists William Lowe 1927 then Walter Duff 1927
May – Dec. 1927	William A. Lowe		2 sources barrie.ca: heads list "May - Dec. 1927 William A. Lowe"; council roll 1927 "William A. Lowe (May to December 1927) Acting Mayor" en.wikipedia.org: secondary: William Lowe 1927, placed before Walter Duff
1928–1931	Duncan Fletcher McCuaig		1889–1950; barrister / lawyer; Liberal MP for Simcoe North 1935-1945 3 sources lop.parl.ca: Duncan Fletcher McCuaig, born 1889-08-26 Oro Township, died 1950-08-17, barrister; Barrie - Mayor (1928 - 1931); MP 1935-1945 en.wikipedia.org: secondary: mayor 1928-1931; daughter Janice Laking en.wikipedia.org: a different McCuaig: Maple Creek MP 1945-1949
1932–1934	John Franklin Craig		4 sources archive.org: Wellesley Hospital history: letter from "Mayor Craig of Barrie" about his daughter Hazel archive.org: "J. H. Craig, Esq., Mayor" of Barrie - OCR/print form archive.org: name list "John Franklin Craig" en.wikipedia.org: secondary: "John F. Craig" 1915-1917, 1924-1926, 1932-1934
1935	William J. Blair		not researched to a confident reading
1936–1941	Herbert G. Robertson		c. 1875–1965; druggist (Robertson's Drug Store, Dunlop and Owen Sts.); later chairman, Barrie Public Utilities Commission 1946-1958 3 sources archive.org: Hydro News Feb 1965: "Herbert Robertson, former Barrie mayor and chairman of the Barrie PUC from 1946 until his retirement in 1958, died last month ... nearly 90 years old" archive.org: The Canadian Druggist: "H. G. Robertson, of Barrie" archive.org: 1937: "his official duties as Mayor of Barrie"
1942–1944	Donald F. MacLaren		not researched to a confident reading
1945–1946	Peter A. Sinclair		Peter Alexander Sinclair; 1908–1995; businessman (Barrie Tanning with his father John Sinclair; Sinclair Motor Sales 1935-1942; Nu-Service Cleaners from 1938; Peter A. Sinclair Ltd. 1955) 3 sources archive.org: born Barrie 23 Oct 1908; worked with his father John Sinclair at Barrie Tanning; "Mayor of Barrie, in 1945-46 and served the previous four years as Alderman" archive.org: died 13 Aug 1995; "Mayor of Barrie 1945-46" barriearchive.ca: home of John Sinclair and Mayor Peter Sinclair, 42 Toronto St
1947–1949	Grant Kelvin Mayor		hotel/motel operator (Bayshore Motor Hotel; Mayor Motel Limited, incorporated 1960) 5 sources archive.org: 1960 letters patent: Grant Kelvin Mayor ... of the City of Barrie, Motel Operators archive.org: "given by Mayor Grant Mayor. Barrie band ..." archive.org: 1940: "Mr. and Mrs. Grant Mayor and sons, Neal and Byron, of Barrie" barriearchive.ca: Bayshore Motor Hotel owned by Mr. and Mrs. Grant Mayor barriearchive.ca: "Mayor Grant Mayor opens the newly renovated Town Hall", dated 1946
1950	Dr. James Edwin Wilson		doctor (exact profession not stated - "Dr."); Barrie PUC commissioner and chairman 1953-1971; OMEA president 1966 2 sources archive.org: Ontario Hydro News, Jan 1972, "Doctor retires": Dr. J. E. Wilson, alderman from 1943, deputy reeve, "mayor in 1950", Barrie PUC from 1953, 19 years' service en.wikipedia.org: secondary: Edwin Wilson 1950
1951–1952	Marjorie Hamilton	first female Mayor of Barrie, 1951	Marjorie May Hamilton; 1898–1990; alderman, then mayor; from 1955 judge of the Simcoe County juvenile and family court (no law degree); co-author of the school textbook "Pirates and Pathfinders" (per Wikipedia) 5 sources en.wikipedia.org: secondary: Marjorie May Hamilton, 1898 - 27 Dec 1990; mayor 1950-1952; widow; family court judge; cites Globe and Mail 12 Dec 1950 and 28 Dec 1990 barriearchive.ca: elected 1950; widowed 3 years; later family court judge without a law degree barriearchive.ca: 1957: "Judge (and former Town Mayor) M.M. Hamilton" archive.org: Delia Times 11 Jan 1951: "Mrs. Margaret Hamilton, a 51-year-old widow, became the first woman mayor of Barrie" archive.org: 1977: "Marjorie H. Hamilton was elected Mayor of Barrie in 1950"
1953	James Walter Hart		2 sources barriearchive.ca: c.1953: "Mayor James W. Hart and his wife Bernice" en.wikipedia.org: secondary: councillor James W. Hart ran against and defeated Hamilton in the 1952 election
1954	Heber E. Smith		Heber Edgar Smith; 1915–1990; barrister / lawyer; Progressive Conservative MP for Simcoe North 1957-1968 3 sources lop.parl.ca: Heber Edgar Smith, born 1915-08-08 Tiny Township, died 1990-10-25; barrister, lawyer; Barrie Mayor 1954, Reeve 1953, Deputy Reeve 1952, Alderman 1951 osgoodesociety.ca: oral history summary: alderman, deputy reeve, reeve and in 1954 mayor of Barrie; MP Simcoe North from 1957 en.wikipedia.org: secondary: 1915-1990, MP 1957-1968
1955–1956	Robert Eldon Greer		1921–1999; bus company owner (Greer Transportation Co. Ltd., c.1945-1968), then insurance broker (Sarjeant Insurance Brokers) 3 sources archive.org: born Kars, Ont., 2 Mar 1921; formed Greer Transportation Co. Ltd. in Barrie; council 5 years; "Mayor for two years 1954, 1955" archive.org: obituary p.167: died suddenly 13 Sep 1999; "Mayor for two years, 1955-56" en.wikipedia.org: secondary: R. Eldon Greer 1955-1956
1957–1958	Willard L. Kinzie		1919–2018; dairyman (Lakeview Dairy, Barrie, 1947-1975); later owner of Barrie's first KFC franchise 3 sources simcoe.com: Barrie Advance, 26 Nov 2018, read via Wayback: first mayor of the City; died in Barrie aged 99; mayor 1957 to 1961; owned the first KFC en.wikipedia.org: secondary: 1919-2018; Lakeview Dairy; nickname "The Milk Man" barriearchive.ca: owner of Lakeview Dairy and the KFC franchise
1959–1961	Willard L. Kinzie		Willard Lewis Kinzie; 1919–2018; dairy owner (Lakeview Dairy, 1947–1975); KFC franchisee/restaurateur; founder Willard's Adventure Club 3 sources barrietoday.com: obituary, posted 2018-11-26 via Wayback 20181127121024: 'Willard Lewis Kinzie, born in Blair, Ontario on September 26th 1919, passed away … November 25, 2018 at Hospice Simcoe'; alderman 1952, Mayor of the Town 1957, city's first mayor 1959; Lakeview Dairy owner, KFC franchisee orilliamatters.com: BarrieToday/Village Media 2018-11-26: 'Barrie's first mayor, dies at 99'; served as mayor 1957 until 1961; born Sept. 26, 1919 in Blair en.wikipedia.org: secondary: infobox birth 1919-09-19, lede '9 September 1919', death 2018-11-25; mayor 1957–1961
1962–1967	Lester E. Cooke		not researched to a confident reading
1968–1969	Robert Sidney Bentley		1928–2013; insurance; marketing at Formosa Springs brewery; CKBB radio host ('Briefly Bentley'); later provincial rent-review appointment in North Bay 2 sources simcoe.com: Barrie Examiner 2013-11-20: 'Bob Bentley, 84, a one-term Barrie mayor in 1968-69, passed away at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre this week'; born Toronto 1928; insurance, then Formosa brewery marketing; CKBB radio 'Briefly Bentley'; term flanked by two Les Cooke terms en.wikipedia.org: politician) (secondary: birth_name Robert Sidney Bentley; 1928 – November 18, 2013; won 1967 election vs incumbent Lester Cooke, defeated by Cooke 1969
1970–1972	Lester E. Cooke		not researched to a confident reading
1973–1976	Dorian Parker	(passed away June 3, 2007)	Dorian Parker (later also printed Dorian Parker-Craig); c. 1922–2007 One source en.wikipedia.org: secondary, 'more citations needed': mayor 1972–1976 [election years]; council 1966–72 and 1978–1994; defeated 1976 placing third behind Ross Archer; died Royal Victoria Hospital June 3, 2007 aged 84, citing Barrie Advance 2007-06-05 and Barrie Examiner 2011-12-20
1977–1988	Ross Alexander Archer		1926–2018; refrigeration business owner (R.A. Archer Refrigeration, sold to son 1994); army 1945; later chair, Barrie Public Utilities Commission One source orilliamatters.com: BarrieToday/Village Media, Jessica Owen, 2018-11-07: mayor 1977 to 1988; died Nov. 5, 2018; 'born in Barrie on July 17, 1926'; alderman from 1968; owned R.A. Archer Refrigeration; chaired Barrie PUC
1988–2000	Janice Ruth Laking		Janice Ruth Laking (née McCuaig); 1929–2026; high school teacher and coach (Barrie North Collegiate 1960–1988); later citizenship judge (Wikipedia) 6 sources barrietoday.com: obituary posted 2026-10-01, read via Wayback 20261002134311: 'LAKING, Janice Ruth (nee McCuaig)', 'December 23, 1929 - September 29, 2026', died at Aspira Waterford Barrie Retirement Living 'at the age of 96'; teacher, Barrie North Collegiate; councillor 1972–1988, then '4 terms as mayor' barrietoday.com: Bob Bruton, 2026-09-30, read via OrilliaMatters syndicated copy: mayor 1988 to 2000, alderman from 1972; teacher at Barrie North 1960–1988; daughter of mayor Duncan McCuaig; 1993 Liberal candidate Simcoe Centre lost 'by about 80 votes'; re-elected 1991 (acclaimed), 1994, 1997, lost 2000 to Jim Perri orilliamatters.com: 2026-10-02: 'died Sept. 29, 2026, at age 96'; born Dec. 23, 1929; celebration of life Collier Street United Church Oct. 18 barrie360.com: 2026-09-30, updated 10-02: died aged 96; mayor 1988 to 2000 ctvnews.ca: 2026-09-30: 'passes at 96'; City confirmed the death Wednesday en.wikipedia.org: secondary: Janice Ruth Laking née McCuaig, born 1929-12-23 Barrie; council 1972, re-elected 1980; mayor 1988–2000; later citizenship judge; 1993 Simcoe Centre loss 'by 182 votes'
2000–2003	O.J. (Jim) Perri		O.J. Perri (expansion of initials not found) One source orilliamatters.com: BarrieToday/LJI, Wayne Doyle, 2023-11-26: body 'sat in the mayor's seat from 2000 to 2003'; photo caption 'mayor from 2001 to 2003'; 'Perri, now 79'; development committee chair 1969 to 1997
2003–2006	Robert J. Hamilton		hotel proprietor (Canadian Elections Database, 2000 federal candidacy) 4 sources en.wikipedia.org: secondary, BLP sources tag: infobox name 'Rob Hamilton'; mayor December 1, 2003 – December 4, 2006; Canadian Alliance candidate 2000; lost 2006 to Aspden and 2010 to Lehman canadianelectionsdatabase.ca: 'Rob Hamilton', Profession: Hotel Proprietor; CAN Nov 2000, Barrie--Simcoe--Bradford, Canadian Alliance simcoe.com: Barrie Advance 2010-09-30, headline 'Rob Hamilton', body 'As a former mayor of Barrie, Robert Hamilton…'; repo copy research/news-sweep/2010/archive/barrie-advance-2010-09-30-rob-hamilton.txt web.archive.org: Barrie Examiner c. 2010-09-09: 'the 65-year-old Hamilton, who was elected Barrie's 40th mayor in November, 2003'
2006–2010	David (Dave) Aspden		David Aspden; police officer (20+ years, per Wikipedia) One source en.wikipedia.org: secondary: birth_name David Aspden; mayor December 4, 2006 – December 6, 2010; police officer 20+ years; Ward 2 councillor; beat Hamilton 14,616 to 12,175 in 2006; 3.6% in 2010
2010–2014	Jeff Lehman		Jeffrey Robert Lehman; economist (LSE Cities Programme 1998–2001) One source en.wikipedia.org: politician) (secondary: Jeffrey Robert Lehman, born 7 June 1975 Toronto; economist; Ward 2 councillor Nov 2006–Dec 2010; mayor 6 December 2010 – November 15, 2022; Ontario Liberal candidate Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte 2022; Chair of District of Muskoka from December 5, 2022
2014–2018	Jeff Lehman		Jeffrey Robert Lehman; economist (LSE Cities Programme 1998–2001) One source en.wikipedia.org: politician) (secondary: Jeffrey Robert Lehman, born 7 June 1975 Toronto; economist; Ward 2 councillor Nov 2006–Dec 2010; mayor 6 December 2010 – November 15, 2022; Ontario Liberal candidate Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte 2022; Chair of District of Muskoka from December 5, 2022
2018–2022	Jeff Lehman		Jeffrey Robert Lehman; economist (LSE Cities Programme 1998–2001) One source en.wikipedia.org: politician) (secondary: Jeffrey Robert Lehman, born 7 June 1975 Toronto; economist; Ward 2 councillor Nov 2006–Dec 2010; mayor 6 December 2010 – November 15, 2022; Ontario Liberal candidate Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte 2022; Chair of District of Muskoka from December 5, 2022
2022–2026	Alexander (Alex) Nuttall		Alexander Nuttall (City list councillor form: Alexander M.C.W. Nuttall); financial services (Wikipedia) 2 sources en.wikipedia.org: secondary: birth_name Alexander Nuttall, born August 10, 1985 Liverpool, England; financial services; councillor 2006–2014; Conservative MP 2015–2019; mayor from November 15, 2022 ourcommons.ca: 88679)/roles (House of Commons: 'Alexander Nuttall', Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, Monday October 19, 2015 to Sunday October 20, 2019

Reeves of Barrie, 1854 to 1871
Term	Reeve	From other sources
1854	Jonathan Lane	tailor (pre-1837); later postmaster; Clerk of the County Court 1843-1870 5 sources archive.org: 1884 sketch: "In 1854 Jonathan Lane was Reeve"; first County Court Clerk; postmaster archive.org: Hunter vol. 2 p.210: first reeve 1854; settler list: "Lane, Jonathan. Tailor", at Kempenfeldt 1834 archive.org: Hunter vol. 1 p.239: Clerks of the Court "Jonathan Lane, 1843-70" archive.org: Pioneer Papers 1908: lived at Kempenfeldt in 1836, "a tailor, and afterward was Postmaster and Clerk of the County Court" en.wikipedia.org: secondary: 1854-1855
1855	Thomas David McConkey	1815–1890; merchant (dry goods); MLA North Simcoe 1863-67; MP Simcoe North 1867-72; Simcoe County sheriff 1875-90; Warden 1860-61 4 sources archive.org: 1884 sketch: reeve the year after Lane and at intervals; "now Sheriff" archive.org: Hunter vol. 1: Warden 1860-1, Sheriff 1875-90 archive.org: Hunter vol. 2: son of "Squire" McConkey of Innisfil, merchant in Barrie from 1843, M.P. North Simcoe 1863-72, Sheriff en.wikipedia.org: secondary: born 29 July 1815 County Tyrone, died 21 Feb 1890 Barrie; cites Canadian Directory of Parliament 1867-1967 and Parlinfo id 3867
1856	David Morrow	not researched to a confident reading
1857	Henry B. Hopkins	lawyer/solicitor; first County Crown Attorney of Simcoe 1858-1862 4 sources archive.org: 1884 sketch: H. B. Hopkins among Barrie reeves; "when the office of County Attorney was established H. B. Hopkins received the appointment" archive.org: Hunter vol. 1 p.239: County Crown Attorneys "Henry B. Hopkins, 1858-62"; also solicitor to the County archive.org: Hunter vol. 2: Joseph Tyson "studied law in the office of the late H. B. Hopkins, Barrie" en.wikipedia.org: secondary: 1857-1858, red link
1858	Robert Simpson	1817–1891; brewer (Simcoe Steam Brewery, Barrie); magistrate 4 sources archive.org: Canadian Biographical Dictionary 1880 pp.736-7: born Salton, Yorkshire, 16 March 1817; brewer at Kempenfeldt, Allandale, then Barrie from 1848; deputy-reeve and reeve; first mayor archive.org: 1884 sketch: among reeves web.archive.org: NewmarketToday 2024: born Salton 16 Mar 1817; first mayor elected 1871; "He died in Barrie in 1891" en.wikipedia.org: secondary: reeve 1858-1859
1859–1863	Thomas David McConkey	1815–1890; merchant; MLA/MP North Simcoe; sheriff 1875-90 3 sources archive.org: 1884 sketch archive.org: Hunter vol. 1 p.259 wardens: "1860-1 — Thos. D. McConkey, Barrie" en.wikipedia.org: secondary: 1815-1890; Warden 1860-61
1864–1871	William David Ardagh	William Davis Ardagh; 1828–1893; lawyer (called 1855); private banker and broker; newspaper publisher (Northern Advance); MPP North Simcoe 1871-74; later county court judge in Manitoba 6 sources archive.org: CBD 1880 pp.503-4: "WILLIAM DAVIS ARDAGH", born Tipperary 21 March 1828; reeve eight years, warden the last three; "has been mayor since 1877" archive.org: Hunter vol. 2 p.209: "William D. Ardagh ... reeve of Barrie from 1864 to 1871"; Judge in Manitoba 1883; died 16 April 1893 aged 65 archive.org: Hunter vol. 1: Warden 1869-71 mhs.mb.ca: MHS: William Davis Ardagh 1828-1893, reeve eight years, died Hoboken 16 April 1893 ola.org: OLA: William Davis Ardagh, MPP 1872-1874 en.wikipedia.org: secondary: William Davis Ardagh 1864-1870

Source: City of Barrie, Members of Barrie Councils, 1837 to 2022 (updated November 2022), pages 23 and 24; the last column, this site's research of October 11, 2026, with each row's sources listed under it.

A row is filled only where the sources agree well enough to state it: biographical dictionaries, Parliament's and the Ontario legislature's member records, obituaries and county histories, with Wikipedia used only alongside one of those. Where they differ from the City's list, the City's printing stays and the difference is named here: every other source prints the reeve and mayor of 1864 to 1881 as William Davis Ardagh, not David. Years of life are shown only where a death is recorded.

Every council, term by term

1837

Barrie part of Vespra, Township. Township, Commissioners were, Francis Hewson, Charles, Debenham and Myles, Kenney. Richard Carney elected the overseer or administrator for Barrie.

1838

Barrie officials on Board: Robert Ross (Fenceviewer), Francis Martin (Fenceviewer), John Bingham (Fenceviewer), Thrift Meldrum (Poundkeeper), William Graham (Overseer east), Francis Martin (Overseer west)

1853

There was no Barrie, Town Council in 1853. September 23, 1853, Barrie was incorporated as a Town with Village powers, with a Reeve instead of a Mayor. This proclamation came into effect January 1, 1854.

The City's list: “Info from Simcoe County Archives”

1854

January 2, 1854 Barrie's first municipal election. Jonathan Lane is elected the first reeve.

Barrie’s first municipal election was held on January 2, 1854.

Reeve Jonathan Lane
Councillor David Thomas McConkey
Councillor David Morrow
Councillor John McWatt
Councillor Andrew Graham

The City's list: “Info from Simcoe County Archives (SC)”

1855

The City's list: “Info from Simcoe County Archives”

1856

December 9, 1856 Council's books of minutes and by-laws burn in a fire at the home of the town clerk, George Lane.

Reeve David Morrow
Councillor Dr. Archibald Pass
Councillor Robert Simpson
Councillor Angus Russell
Councillor Robert Ross

The City's list: “Info from Simcoe County Archives”