Encampments and homelessness

Barrie's mayor declared a state of emergency over homelessness and addiction on September 9, 2025; it was reported still in place on its anniversary, and no lifting had been reported as of this page's last check, October 7, 2026. The City counts 726 people identifying as homeless, as of September 28. Almost every dispute about this issue turns out to be a dispute about what is being counted.

What changed this week

Week of October 5, 2026. On October 1 the mayor said there were zero encampments left on City of Barrie property, with one remaining on provincial land along Highway 400 (as reported by CTV News). The City's own page, read again on October 7, agrees: zero known encampments on municipally-owned land as of October 6, and 235 encampments "addressed" since the declaration, 221 of them in its first year (every dated reading). An unhoused woman's lawsuit against the City, the mayor and Barrie Police, filed June 30 and reported in September, asks the court to halt encampment evictions where no shelter is available, and for damages; the City says it will defend it, and no ruling had been reported as of October 7. The claim cites County of Simcoe estimates of 865 to 974 unhoused people in Barrie between September 2025 and May 2026, against 125 to 142 shelter beds; none of its allegations has been tested in court. On the record this term: council added five permanent encampment-response positions on April 29, 2026 by an 8–2 recorded vote (the meeting's votes). This block is re-dated each week the page is checked; see updates.

Sources: ‘Zero’: Barrie mayor says city land is now clear of encampments, CTV News Barrie, dated October 2, 2026. Original document. Quotes the mayor's social media post: zero encampments on City of Barrie property as of 3:30 p.m., October 1, 2026, with one remaining on provincial land along Highway 400. Repeats the 221-addressed figure CTV reported on September 9. One year since Barrie, Ont. city-wide state of emergency declared, CTV News (on CP24), dated September 9, 2026. Original document. Reports the state of emergency "remains in place" on September 9, 2026, and 221 encampments addressed since the declaration. City of Barrie heading to court over state of emergency, CTV News (on CP24), dated September 9, 2026. Original document. An unhoused woman, Dannielle Laundry, is suing the City, the mayor and Barrie Police, seeking to halt encampment evictions until the shelter shortfall is addressed, plus damages. Court documents as reported; no ruling reported as of October 7, 2026. Woman files lawsuit contesting Barrie's 'negligent' state of emergency on encampments, BarrieToday (Bob Bruton), dated September 9, 2026. Original document. The statement of claim was filed June 30, 2026; a notice of intent to defend was on file July 31; the City says it will defend. The claim cites County of Simcoe estimates of 865 to 974 unhoused people in Barrie between September 2025 and May 2026 against 125 to 142 shelter beds. None of the allegations has been tested in court. All retrieved October 7, 2026.

How many homeless people and encampments are there in Barrie?

The City's own encampments page carries the numbers this site publishes, and its earlier versions, read from archived copies, show how they moved. People identifying as homeless in the shared HIFIS system rose from 632 on September 1, 2025 to 726 on September 28, 2026. Known encampments on municipally-owned land fell from 15 in October 2025 to zero on October 6, 2026, with rises to two at the end of March and five in July. Encampments "addressed" since the declaration reached 235, a count whose scope widened in the spring to include private property. Every reading and its date is on the homelessness page, which states plainly that every one of them undercounts something.

726 People identifying as homeless, September 28, 2026 +94 since September 1, 2025

0 Known encampments on City land, October 6, 2026 −15 since October 27, 2025

235 Encampments addressed, cumulative, October 6, 2026 +51 since July 8, 2026

The count of encampments addressed widened in spring 2026 to include private property; the line breaks there.

Sources: Creating Safer Spaces: Barrie's Coordinated Approach to Addressing Homelessness & Encampments (October 7, 2026), City of Barrie. Original document. The City's page as of October 7, 2026: 726 people identifying as homeless (HIFIS, September 28); zero known encampments on municipally-owned land (October 6); 235 encampments addressed since September 9, 2025 (to October 6), and 221 in the emergency's first year. Its table of two-weekly HIFIS counts from September 1, 2025 is the source of the whole people series here. Retrieved October 7, 2026. Creating Safer Spaces: Barrie's Coordinated Approach to Addressing Homelessness & Encampments (archived captures, October 2025 to August 2026), City of Barrie, via the Internet Archive. Original document. Archived copy. Ten archived copies of the City's page, captured between October 9, 2025 and August 2, 2026. Each reading here carries the date the page itself gave for it; the extract quotes every capture's figures with its archive link. Retrieved October 8, 2026. Creating Safer Spaces: Barrie's Coordinated Approach to Addressing Homelessness & Encampments, City of Barrie. Original document. The City's own operational page, and the primary source for: the State of Emergency declared September 9, 2025 (still in effect); 705 individuals identifying as homeless per HIFIS data (the shared City and County of Simcoe homelessness database) as of August 4, 2026; two known encampments on municipally-owned land as of August 14, 2026; 209 encampments "addressed" between the declaration and August 14, 2026; and both encampment definitions, quoted. The City updates the page on a rolling basis, and partway through 2026 its cumulative "addressed" count widened from City-owned property to City-owned and private property, so each figure is given with its date. Retrieved August 18, 2026.

The County of Simcoe's own Point-in-Time count — a County-wide, every-two-years enumeration, the only real trend line available — found 1,080 people homeless across the County in October 2024, up from 722 in 2022; the County itself attributes part of that rise to a better count, not only to more people being unhoused, and that same series is on the homelessness page.

The definitional trap is worth spelling out, because two governments count differently and both publish. The City counts one tent or structure on a property. The County of Simcoe counts outdoor structures actively used overnight by two or more individuals. Neither is wrong; they are answers to different questions, and a comparison across them is meaningless. Both definitions render beside the figures rather than in a footnote.

Source: Creating Safer Spaces: Barrie's Coordinated Approach to Addressing Homelessness & Encampments, City of Barrie. Original document. The City's own operational page, and the primary source for: the State of Emergency declared September 9, 2025 (still in effect); 705 individuals identifying as homeless per HIFIS data (the shared City and County of Simcoe homelessness database) as of August 4, 2026; two known encampments on municipally-owned land as of August 14, 2026; 209 encampments "addressed" between the declaration and August 14, 2026; and both encampment definitions, quoted. The City updates the page on a rolling basis, and partway through 2026 its cumulative "addressed" count widened from City-owned property to City-owned and private property, so each figure is given with its date. Retrieved August 18, 2026.

What does the City mean by an encampment "addressed"?

The count of encampments addressed is a count of municipal actions, not of outcomes for people. It does not say how many of those people were housed, how many moved to another site, or how many appear again in a later count. No retrieved document breaks it down, so this site does not.

Who is responsible for homelessness in Barrie: City, County or province?

This is where campaign claims most often overreach. Housing and homelessness services in this area are delivered by the County of Simcoe as service manager, not by the City. Health and addiction treatment are provincial. The City controls its own land, by-law enforcement, parks, and its contribution to partner budgets. A mayor can declare an emergency and can direct City resources; a council cannot open treatment beds. The HART Hub that opened in Barrie is a provincial programme operated by the County and the City together, described on health care.

What figures are missing, and why does it matter?

The County publishes its homelessness figures through dashboards that embed Power BI reports rather than a downloadable dataset, and this site has not obtained the underlying methodology. That gap is not cosmetic: a change in how a count is taken looks exactly like a change in the thing being counted. Until the methodology is in hand, no trend line over the County's dashboard figures appears here. The one exception is the every-two-years Point-in-Time count quoted above: that comparison is the County's own, published with the County's own caveat that part of the 2024 rise reflects a better count — which is exactly the methodology problem this paragraph describes, stated by the counting body itself. Readers should treat any other year-over-year comparison they see elsewhere with the same caution.

What is the 2026 election argument about encampments?

Given the division of responsibility, the questions a Barrie council can answer are: what the City does on its own land and how quickly; what it funds through the County and partner budgets; whether it pursues designated sites, and where; and what it says publicly about a provincial system it does not run. Those are real disagreements between candidates, and they are separable from the question of how many people are outside, which is a matter of record rather than opinion.

Related: housing, policing, and the figures themselves.

What the candidates have said

Verbatim, attributed, dated. Every passage below is copied exactly from an archived copy of its source — a campaign website, a news article, or the candidate's own social media post — and links to it. Nothing is paraphrased by this site and no for-or-against label is applied: read the words, follow the link. Passages from news coverage say whether they are the candidate quoted, the reporter's reported speech, or the reporter's characterisation.

Compiled in a research batch dated September 11, 2026, reviewed by hand before publication on October 8, 2026. Passages are capped at 60 words and listed newest first. Campaign pages are undated, so only the retrieval date is shown for them, and they sort by it. A candidate with nothing located on an issue is listed as such, with the date their sources were checked; a race is shown only once every candidate in it has been checked. See methodology.

Mayor

Alex Nuttall

Declared a state of emergency to address encampments and enacted restrictions on encampments.

Source: alexnuttall.ca, Term in Review page, 'Public Safety', second item. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived October 7, 2026. inferred site
Removed over 185 illegal encampments

Source: alexnuttall.ca, Home page, 'Moving Barrie Forward', under 'Making Our Streets Safer' (list item). Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived October 7, 2026. inferred site

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The next thing we really need to do is to be able to have the individuals who aren’t saying yes to get help and support, to the HART hubs, so that they can work through that sickness,

Source: As quoted in CTV News, Barrie mayoral candidates debate how to handle homelessness, October 7, 2026 (paragraph 4 of the article body (counting from "The candidates for mayor")). Read October 8, 2026. news
And we need the province to move on mandatory interventions, compassionate interventions,

Source: As quoted in CTV News, Barrie mayoral candidates debate how to handle homelessness, October 7, 2026 (paragraph 5). Read October 8, 2026. news
I actually don’t believe we have a homelessness problem in the City of Barrie. I say that because we have so many empty beds every night in our shelters.

Source: As quoted in Simcoe.com, Barrie votes: three of four mayoral candidates address key issues during all-candidates meet-and-greet, October 6, 2026 (under 'Alex Nuttall', 'Housing and homelessness', first two sentences). Read October 7, 2026. news
Nuttall notes it was a year ago, Sept. 9, 2025, that he declared a state of emergency because of the encampments. The petition is the next step, he said.

Source: As reported by barrietoday.com, Mayoral candidates divided as Nuttall floats 'compassionate intervention team', September 11, 2026 (paragraph 19). Read September 11, 2026. news reported
Nuttall says since the state of emergency was declared, 870 prisoner releases in Barrie have been diverted, 221 encampment sites have been cleared, 64 new beds have opened, 424 people have been connected to the HART Hub and 83 people have gone through live-in treatment.

Source: As reported by barrietoday.com, Mayoral candidates divided as Nuttall floats 'compassionate intervention team', September 11, 2026 (paragraph 25). Read September 11, 2026. news reported
Nuttall, who declared a state of emergency one year ago on Sept. 9, 2025, says he’s doing what needs to be done.

Source: As reported by barrietoday.com, BARRIE ELECTION: State of emergency debated after full year in effect, September 10, 2026 (paragraph 15). Read September 11, 2026. news reported
I stand behind the decision to declare a state of emergency

Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, BARRIE ELECTION: State of emergency debated after full year in effect, September 10, 2026 (paragraph 16). Read September 11, 2026. news
I will continue to clear encampments, offer dignified housing options and build the stock of affordable housing

Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, BARRIE ELECTION: State of emergency debated after full year in effect, September 10, 2026 (paragraph 17). Read September 11, 2026. news
All levels of government need to work together to address this challenge and implement real solutions before this state of emergency can be lifted

Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, BARRIE ELECTION: State of emergency debated after full year in effect, September 10, 2026 (paragraph 19). Read September 11, 2026. news
For me, we just need to keep doing what we’re doing, which is following the letter of the law and continuing to remove encampments

Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, Woman files lawsuit contesting Barrie's 'negligent' state of emergency on encampments, September 9, 2026 (paragraph 9). Read October 7, 2026. news
Nuttall pointed to the city’s response to encampments, including declaring a state of emergency in September 2025, providing outreach support before removing tents and enforcing trespassing orders.

Source: As reported by CompassNews, Mayoral candidates’ visions for homelessness & affordability, August 28, 2026 (paragraph 7). Read September 11, 2026. news reported
We need to keep making sure people have an opportunity to get help while continuing to restore safety and order in our public spaces

Source: As quoted in CompassNews, Mayoral candidates’ visions for homelessness & affordability, August 28, 2026 (paragraph 8). Read September 11, 2026. news

Tanya Saari

The reality is that the Mayor’s declaration of a homelessness emergency has failed.

Source: tanyasaari.ca, Commitments page, Commitment Two, intro block, first sentence. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived October 7, 2026. site
Creating a Barrie Homelessness Task Force within my first 90 days.

Source: tanyasaari.ca, Commitments page, Commitment Two, heading 'Creating a Barrie Homelessness Task Force within my first 90 days.'. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived October 7, 2026. site

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I strongly believe that housing first needs to be a much bigger part of the answer,

Source: As quoted in CTV News, Barrie mayoral candidates debate how to handle homelessness, October 7, 2026 (paragraph 8). Read October 8, 2026. news
To get someone into stable housing and safe housing, with the supports that they require around them, whether that’s mental health, addiction treatment, or just assistance with day to day life,

Source: As quoted in CTV News, Barrie mayoral candidates debate how to handle homelessness, October 7, 2026 (paragraph 9). Read October 8, 2026. news
I will create a homelessness task force focused on practical solutions, clear responsibilities and better outcomes for both people experiencing homelessness and the broader community.

Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, Saari promises 'line-by-line review' of Barrie's 2027 budget, September 29, 2026 (paragraph 8). Read October 7, 2026. news
Nobody wants to see people living in encampments. The question is what we do about it.

Source: tanyasaari.ca, Home page, pull quote below 'A different kind of leadership'. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site
Supportive housing as the real solution

Source: tanyasaari.ca, Home page, 'A different kind of leadership', under 'Tanya's approach' (list item). Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site
I would want to understand what the state of emergency is actually accomplishing before making a decision to continue or end it.

Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, BARRIE ELECTION: State of emergency debated after full year in effect, September 10, 2026 (paragraph 4). Read September 11, 2026. news
What has changed because of it? What additional resources has it brought to Barrie? If it’s helping us move toward solutions, that matters

Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, BARRIE ELECTION: State of emergency debated after full year in effect, September 10, 2026 (paragraph 5). Read September 11, 2026. news
Ultimately, I want fewer people living outside because we’ve actually helped them find somewhere to call home. That’s how we reduce encampments

Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, BARRIE ELECTION: State of emergency debated after full year in effect, September 10, 2026 (paragraph 7). Read September 11, 2026. news
There also needs to be a much more co-ordinated approach between the city, the County of Simcoe, the province and community organizations, Saari added.

Source: As reported by barrietoday.com, BARRIE ELECTION: How would mayoral candidates manage poverty, addiction?, September 2, 2026 (paragraph 17). Read September 11, 2026. news reported
I don’t think tents in our parks are the answer, but moving people from one place to another isn’t the answer either

Source: As quoted in CompassNews, Mayoral candidates’ visions for homelessness & affordability, August 28, 2026 (paragraph 15 (under subhead 'Moving people from one place to another isn’t the answer')). Read September 11, 2026. news
On homelessness, mental health and addictions, Saari said solutions must focus on partnerships and proven approaches, including supportive housing.

Source: As reported by CompassNews, Second candidate jumps into Barrie mayoral race, July 9, 2026 (paragraph 17). Read September 10, 2026. news reported
My experience in housing has shown me that people are experiencing homelessness for many different reasons

Source: As quoted in CompassNews, Second candidate jumps into Barrie mayoral race, July 9, 2026 (paragraph 18). Read September 10, 2026. news

Kay Sayer

I do not support Mayor Nuttall's petition as a solution — not because I don't care about encampments, but because it is another Band-Aid on an open wound we can avoid altogether,

Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, Mayoral candidates divided as Nuttall floats 'compassionate intervention team', September 11, 2026 (paragraph 11). Read September 11, 2026. news
Sayer says there needs to be more transparency.

Source: As reported by barrietoday.com, BARRIE ELECTION: State of emergency debated after full year in effect, September 10, 2026 (paragraph 20). Read September 11, 2026. news reported

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The emergency isn’t tents; the emergency is secrecy

Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, BARRIE ELECTION: State of emergency debated after full year in effect, September 10, 2026 (paragraph 21). Read September 11, 2026. news
You end the emergency by ending the hiding

Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, BARRIE ELECTION: State of emergency debated after full year in effect, September 10, 2026 (paragraph 22). Read September 11, 2026. news
A state of emergency without transparency is just a state of control. End it

Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, BARRIE ELECTION: State of emergency debated after full year in effect, September 10, 2026 (paragraph 23). Read September 11, 2026. news
The emergency isn’t tents. The emergency is secrecy

Source: As quoted in CompassNews, Mayoral candidates’ visions for homelessness & affordability, August 28, 2026 (paragraph 25). Read September 11, 2026. news
Keep the emergency only if we use it to force transparency. Cancel the hiding.

Source: As quoted in CompassNews, Mayoral candidates’ visions for homelessness & affordability, August 28, 2026 (paragraph 26, last two sentences). Read September 11, 2026. news

Russell Tighe

Coming together as a community and all of our resources, we can pass the baton effectively and keep this population that is suffering under supervision and thriving,

Source: As quoted in CTV News, Barrie mayoral candidates debate how to handle homelessness, October 7, 2026 (paragraph 6). Read October 8, 2026. news
Tighe says people living in encampments need to be involved in the solutions.

Source: As reported by barrietoday.com, BARRIE ELECTION: State of emergency debated after full year in effect, September 10, 2026 (paragraph 8). Read September 11, 2026. news reported

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They became a place of refuge when no one else would take them in. Encampments became shelter when shelter wasn’t available

Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, BARRIE ELECTION: State of emergency debated after full year in effect, September 10, 2026 (paragraph 10). Read September 11, 2026. news
Just as they were established, that’s how they need to be dismantled — one by one and on an individual basis and by people that have relationships with people living in encampments already

Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, BARRIE ELECTION: State of emergency debated after full year in effect, September 10, 2026 (paragraph 13). Read September 11, 2026. news
Encampments did not spring up all at once. They became a place of refuge when no one else would take them in.

Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, BARRIE ELECTION: State of emergency debated after full year in effect, September 10, 2026 (paragraph 10). Read September 11, 2026. news

Ward 1

Stefano Agostino

They want to see effective solutions for those struggling on our streets, while restoring safety and confidence in our public spaces.

Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, Ward 1 candidate says Barrie residents 'want action' on safety issues, August 28, 2026 (paragraph 7, third sentence). Read September 11, 2026. news

Shaughna Ainsworth

Advocate for compassionate, practical solutions that support those experiencing homelessness while keeping our public spaces safe, accessible and welcoming for everyone.

Source: ainsworth4ward1.ca, Platform page, section '01 Safe and Welcoming Neighbourhoods', third bullet. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site
My goal is to become a member of Barrie's Homelessness Task Force.

Source: ainsworth4ward1.ca, Platform page, section '01 Safe and Welcoming Neighbourhoods', fourth bullet. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site
I advocate for practical solutions to homelessness that balance compassion with accountability. I believe there must be greater provincial investment in mental health and addiction services including treatment to accomplish any meaningful and lasting remedy.

Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, Ainsworth running on safety, accountability in Ward 1, August 25, 2026 (paragraph 10, after the 'Homelessness:' label). Read September 11, 2026. news

Brent Bowser

We also need to approach homelessness, addiction and encampments seriously.

Source: brentbowser4ward1.com, Ward 1 what-residents-need-to-know post, under 'Public Safety and Public Spaces', second line. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived October 7, 2026. site
Public safety also means dealing thoughtfully with difficult issues such as homelessness, encampments, drug use and discarded drug paraphernalia.

Source: brentbowser4ward1.com, Who-is-running post, under 'Public Safety', second line. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived October 7, 2026. site
I believe we need compassion for people who need help while also recognizing that our public spaces need to remain safe and accessible for everyone.

Source: brentbowser4ward1.com, Who-is-running post, under 'Public Safety', third line. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived October 7, 2026. site

Hafiz Rahman

Homelessness is more than a housing issue—it is often connected to mental health, addiction, unemployment, and a lack of support.

Source: votehafiz.net, Home page, 'My Priorities for Ward 1', under 'Helping People Experiencing Homelessness', first bullet. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site
My goal is to partner with community organizations, employers, and government programs to help individuals access rehabilitation services, receive job training, earn basic workplace certifications, and find stable employment.

Source: votehafiz.net, Home page, under 'Helping People Experiencing Homelessness Rebuild Their Lives', third bullet. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

Pauline Stevenson

It also means taking action on issues like absentee landlords, speeding in residential neighbourhoods, and playing an active role in addressing homelessness in a collaborative, practical and compassionate way.

Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, Absentee landlords, speeding among top issues for Ward 1 candidate, September 13, 2026 (paragraph 10). Read October 7, 2026. news
Affordability, housing, and homelessness are challenges facing communities across Ontario, and Barrie is no exception.

Source: stevenson4ward1.ca, Home page, priority 04 'Practical Solutions for Complex Issues', first paragraph. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 11, 2026. site

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City Council has an important role to play in bringing people together, advocating for our community, and supporting solutions that are proven effective, based on research and what’s working in other jurisdictions in Canada and around the world.

Source: stevenson4ward1.ca, Home page, priority 04 'Practical Solutions for Complex Issues', second paragraph, second sentence. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 11, 2026. site
The solutions aren’t easy and will take time, but I will be a strong advocate for the changes we need to make.

Source: stevenson4ward1.ca, Home page, priority 04 'Practical Solutions for Complex Issues', third paragraph, second sentence. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 11, 2026. site

No published statement on this issue located for one candidate. No campaign website on the City's list: Christian Cadera. Indexed news coverage checked October 7, 2026: none quoting them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 2

Frank Casera

That requires compassion, but compassion can't mean normalizing unacceptable behaviour. We need to understand the challenges people are facing and do a better job at connecting them with the right support, programs and services we fund to deliver meaningful results.

Source: buildbarriebetter.com, Dignity page, paragraph beginning 'That requires compassion'. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived October 7, 2026. site
Housing, mental health, addiction and homelessness are complex challenges. They don't have simple municipal solutions, and many of the tools and resources needed to address them sit with the County, Province and Federal governments.

Source: buildbarriebetter.com, Dignity page, paragraph beginning 'Housing, mental health, addiction and homelessness'. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site
We can enforce laws while creating pathways to treatment, recovery and stability. We can invest in housing and support services while being responsible with the taxpayer dollars that fund them.

Source: buildbarriebetter.com, Dignity page, paragraph beginning 'We can support people who are struggling'. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

Shanicka Edwards

That means more supportive housing, better access to mental health and addiction services, and stronger outreach, but also clear expectations around public safety, encampments, and the use of public spaces.

Source: www.voteedwards.ca, Compass News Responses page, answer to 'How should the City of Barrie address homelessness'. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site
We must move people directly into permanent housing, then provide mental-health care, addiction support, income assistance and case management based on individual needs.

Source: www.voteedwards.ca, Stats & Solutions page, under 'Expand Housing First with Intensive Support'. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

Show 3 more passages

Once accessible shelter, storage and appropriate alternatives are genuinely available, the city should consistently enforce rules against violence, trafficking, vandalism, obstruction and unsafe encampments.

Source: www.voteedwards.ca, Stats & Solutions page, under 'Combine services with enforceable public-space standards'. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site
'Homelessness is not a crime, but residents and businesses also have a right to safe, clean and accessible neighbourhoods,' says Shanicka Edwards

Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, Ward 2 candidate says affordability among 'defining issues' this election, September 3, 2026 (Feed summary (article page not archived)). Read September 11, 2026. news
Public safety and disorder must also be addressed with both compassion and accountability. We need cleaner and better-maintained public spaces, and co-ordinated pathways connecting people experiencing homelessness with shelter, treatment, supportive housing and long-term stability.

Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, Ward 2 candidate says affordability among 'defining issues' this election, September 3, 2026 (paragraph 7). Read September 11, 2026. news

Craig Nixon

Homelessness requires accountability, and real solutions. I'll continue supporting partnerships that expand housing, mental health, addiction services, and transitional supports.

Source: nix2026.ca, Ward 2 Priorities page, under 'Addressing Homelessness'. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site
'We will continue to ensure that our streets and parks are safe and are used for what they were intended for,' says Craig Nixon

Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, 'Incredible' work being done to improve downtown, says Ward 2 incumbent, August 29, 2026 (Feed summary (article page not archived)). Read September 11, 2026. news
We will continue to assist the county in creating more transitional or bridge housing to allow people to get off the streets or out of temporary shelters and get the help they need.

Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, 'Incredible' work being done to improve downtown, says Ward 2 incumbent, August 29, 2026 (paragraph 6, second sentence). Read September 11, 2026. news

Ajmal Noushahi

Support shelters and treatment facilities while exploring real community-based solutions to end homelessness in Barrie for good.

Source: voteforajmal.ca, Platform page, under 'Homelessness & Mental Health'. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

Tracy Strohm

Our street people need a washroom. I have done some research; portable, indestructible units are available for $50,000.

Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, Change needed to fix downtown Barrie, says Ward 2 candidate, September 21, 2026 (paragraph 6, second and third sentences). Read October 7, 2026. news
We need to work with all levels of government to advocate for long-term housing and care for our addicted populations and the unhoused.

Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, Change needed to fix downtown Barrie, says Ward 2 candidate, September 21, 2026 (paragraph 6, last sentence). Read October 7, 2026. news

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Shelters were meant to be a Band-Aid; Band-Aids become toxic if worn too long.

Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, Change needed to fix downtown Barrie, says Ward 2 candidate, September 21, 2026 (paragraph 7). Read October 7, 2026. news
Strohm also called for a more comprehensive approach to homelessness, addiction and mental health challenges, including supervised modular washrooms downtown, expanded supportive housing and additional treatment programs.

Source: As reported by CompassNews, Ward 2 race heats up, June 24, 2026 (paragraph 22). Read September 10, 2026. news reported

Ward 3

No published statement on this issue located for 4 candidates. Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (October 7, 2026): Amy Courser, Ben Hughes, Ryan Rijo. No campaign website on the City's list: Bryan Jones. Indexed news coverage checked October 7, 2026: none quoting any of them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 4

Lori Galeazza

I will work hard to be part of the solution, but I won't pretend to be an expert on mental health. I want to sit down with the people who have better ideas about how to help this vulnerable part of our community, and get it right.

Source: lorigaleazza.ca, Home page, quoted paragraph under 'An honest word on homelessness & encampments'. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

Arif Khan

I agree that harmful behaviour must be addressed regardless of someone’s housing status. We can support people who genuinely need help without normalizing conduct that harms residents, particularly children and vulnerable people, local businesses and our community.

Source: arifforward4.ca, Priorities, 01 'Safe Communities and a Safe Downtown', under 'My Plan'. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived October 7, 2026. inferred site

No published statement on this issue located for 3 candidates. Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (October 7, 2026): Iradat Ahmad. No campaign website on the City's list: Matthew Corbett, Patrick Harriott-Stewart. Indexed news coverage checked October 7, 2026: none quoting any of them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 5

No published statement on this issue located for 2 candidates. Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (October 7, 2026): Duarte Da Silva, Robert Thomson. Indexed news coverage checked October 7, 2026: none quoting any of them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 6

Nasar George Nader

Barrie currently has about 600-plus homeless individuals living unhoused. Most of them are living in tents, under bridges, on the street, bus terminal and other places.

Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, Ward 6 candidate hopes to 'bring residents together' in Barrie, August 27, 2026 (paragraph 13). Read September 11, 2026. news

No published statement on this issue located for 2 candidates. Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (October 7, 2026): Nigussie Nigussie, Christel Pena. Indexed news coverage checked October 7, 2026: none quoting any of them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 7

Gary Harvey

Public spaces reclaimed through encampment response

Source: garyharvey.ca, Home page, under 'THE FIVE POINT PLAN', 'COMMUNITY SAFETY', second bullet. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 11, 2026. site

No published statement on this issue located for one candidate. No campaign website on the City's list: Michael Lewis. Indexed news coverage checked October 7, 2026: none quoting them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 8

Samina Alim

Coordinated action on homelessness and addiction

Source: saminaalim.ca, Home page, 'My priorities for Ward 8', under '01 Safety & community well-being', third bullet. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived October 7, 2026. searched site
Work with government and community partners to connect housing with voluntary treatment, counselling and transitional support

Source: saminaalim.ca, Home page, 'My priorities for Ward 8', under '03 Housing, homelessness & addiction', first bullet. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived October 7, 2026. searched site

Amanda Fellows

We cannot solve homelessness simply by moving people somewhere else, and we can’t ignore the concerns residents have about safety in their neighbourhoods. We need to talk honestly about both and address the root causes of these challenges, rather than sweeping them under the rug.

Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, 'Harder questions' must be asked about Barrie’s growth, says Ward 8 newcomer, September 16, 2026 (paragraph 9). Read October 7, 2026. news
Practical, evidence-informed responses to homelessness that recognize both community safety and human dignity.

Source: amandafellows.ca, Home page, 'My Platform', under 'PEOPLE-FIRST LEADERSHIP', second bullet. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

No published statement on this issue located for one candidate. Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (October 7, 2026): Jim Harris. Indexed news coverage checked October 7, 2026: none quoting them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 9

Norm Costello

There is a gap in care for people with mental health and or drug abuse issues.

Source: normcostello.ca, Home page, Platform section, under 'Drug use, homelessness & mental health'. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site
‘Our homeless and out-of-control drug use in our city is a major issue. We need to get it addressed to get our city and beaches back,’ says Ward 9 candidate

Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, Rising taxes, declining core services among top election issues, says Costello, August 26, 2026 (Feed summary (article page not archived)). Read September 11, 2026. news

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People in Ward 9 have told me they won't go downtown or to our beautiful waterfront because of this issue. The solution is not easy but we need to work hand-in-hand with the county, provincial and federal governments to come up with a strategy and a plan for long-term success.

Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, Rising taxes, declining core services among top election issues, says Costello, August 26, 2026 (paragraph 11). Read September 11, 2026. news
He identified homelessness and drug use as the city’s biggest issue, saying it requires a coordinated plan across municipal, county, provincial and federal governments, and that police need stronger legal tools to remove people impaired by drugs from the street.

Source: As reported by Frequency News, Barrie Ward 9: Former New Blue Party Official Costello raises communication gap, police budget in bid to unseat Morales, August 3, 2026 (paragraph 6). Read September 11, 2026. news reported

Dave Weingarten

But I do believe in using the power we have to keep our public spaces safe and welcoming for families, and I will work with police services to do that.

Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, Councillors have power to keep Barrie affordable, says Ward 9 candidate, September 7, 2026 (paragraph 6, third sentence). Read September 11, 2026. news
If councillors work together, we can partner with the province to get funding for proper treatment and rehabilitation centres.

Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, Councillors have power to keep Barrie affordable, says Ward 9 candidate, September 7, 2026 (paragraph 7, first sentence). Read September 11, 2026. news

No published statement on this issue located for 2 candidates. Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (October 7, 2026): Sergio Morales, Asmar Naveed. Indexed news coverage checked October 7, 2026: none quoting any of them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 10

Bryn Hamilton

Reclaimed parks and public spaces through a strengthened encampment response, while connecting individuals experiencing homelessness with available supports

Source: brynforbarrie.ca, Home page, 'Delivering For Barrie' list, tenth item. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

Georgy Kapustin

I also believe Barrie needs to reassess how homelessness and crisis support services are organized and where they are located. Publicly funded programs should be held accountable for measurable outcomes.

Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, Ward 10 candidate wants more thought put into Barrie's rapid growth, September 15, 2026 (paragraph 10, last two sentences). Read October 7, 2026. news
Review downtown service concentration. Barrie should examine how concentrated homelessness and crisis services affect safety, businesses, residents, tourism, public spaces, and downtown function.

Source: georgyk.com, Priorities page, under 'Safe Streets, Real Support', second bullet. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

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Plan better-managed service hub locations. Service hubs need space, transit access, safety, supervision, cleanup, and operating controls that can be properly managed.

Source: georgyk.com, Priorities page, under 'Safe Streets, Real Support', third bullet. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site
Demand measurable support-service results. Support-service funding should be tied to visible outcomes, including shelter transitions, treatment connections, employment placements, public-space cleanup response, and reduced service gaps.

Source: georgyk.com, Priorities page, under 'Safe Streets, Real Support', fifth bullet. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

No published statement on this issue located for one candidate. No campaign website on the City's list: William Cadeau. Indexed news coverage checked October 7, 2026: none quoting them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

School board trustees

None of the 19 trustee candidates across 7 races has a located statement on this issue; trustees do not decide it. Their statements are on the education page, and each candidate's own page says what was checked.

Common questions

How many homeless people are in Barrie?

The City counts 726 people identifying as homeless as of September 28, 2026, from the shared HIFIS system, up from 632 on September 1, 2025. The County of Simcoe's Point-in-Time count found 1,080 people homeless across the County in October 2024, up from 722 in 2022 — a rise the County itself attributes partly to a better count. Each figure and its caveats are on the homelessness page.

Is Barrie's encampment state of emergency still in effect?

As far as the record shows, yes. Barrie's mayor declared a state of emergency over homelessness and addiction on September 9, 2025; on its anniversary, September 9, 2026, it was reported to remain in place, and no report of it being lifted had been found as of this page's last check, October 7, 2026. The City's own page, linked below, is where a lifting would first appear.

Who is responsible for homelessness services in Barrie?

Housing and homelessness services here are delivered by the County of Simcoe as service manager, not by the City; health and addiction treatment are provincial. The City controls its own land, by-law enforcement, parks, and its contribution to partner budgets.