BarrieVotes.ca 2026 municipal election

Jobs

In March 2026, Statistics Canada named Barrie among the five highest unemployment rates of Canada's twenty largest metropolitan areas. By July the rate had eased to 7.0%. Both facts are true, both are recent, and a campaign will quote whichever one suits — this page carries the whole series so you can check either claim against it.

What is Barrie's unemployment rate, and why is it so high?

The Labour Force Survey's series for the Barrie metropolitan area (three-month moving average, seasonally adjusted) runs from 4.6% in February 2020, the last reading before the pandemic reached the survey, through the 13.3% pandemic peak of January 2021, down to 3.9% in February 2023 — then a choppy rise across 2024 and 2025, sawtoothing rather than climbing smoothly (October 2025's 8.6% was followed by 8.3% in January 2026), to 9.2% in April 2026, easing to 7.0% by July. The 2026 spike came alongside a falling participation rate (69.0% in January to 65.3% in July). Falling participation on its own tends to lower the measured unemployment rate, because people who stop looking for work leave the count — so the rise happened despite that pull, not because of it. The survey does not say why either figure moved, and neither does this page.

Unemployment rate, Barrie CMA

Unemployment rate, Barrie CMA, quarterly points from the monthly series, 2019–2026 0% 5% 10% 15% Jan 19 Jul 19 Jan 20 Jul 20 Jan 21 Jul 21 Jan 22 Jul 22 Jan 23 Jul 23 Jan 24 Jul 24 Jan 25 Jul 25 Jan 26 Jul 26
Unemployment rate, Barrie CMA, quarterly points from the monthly series, 2019–2026 Jan 19 Apr 19 Jul 19 Oct 19 Jan 20 Apr 20 Jul 20 Oct 20 Jan 21 Apr 21 Jul 21 Oct 21 Jan 22 Apr 22 Jul 22 Oct 22 Jan 23 Apr 23 Jul 23 Oct 23 Jan 24 Apr 24 Jul 24 Oct 24 Jan 25 Apr 25 Jul 25 Oct 25 Jan 26 Apr 26 Jul 26 15%
Three-month moving average, seasonally adjusted, Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey. The chart plots every third month for legibility; the full monthly series is committed with the source record and includes the points shown. July 2026 employment: 128,500, participation 65.3%. Small-CMA survey estimates are noisier than national ones.

Sources: Labour force characteristics by census metropolitan area, three-month moving average, seasonally adjusted (Table 14-10-0459-01) — Barrie CMA, Statistics Canada. Original document. December 2018 through July 2026, monthly. Three-month moving averages, seasonally adjusted, so they cannot be mixed with the annual table or the census figures, which are on different bases. The older table 14-10-0378 is archived and ends in 2024. The Daily — Labour Force Survey, March 2026, Statistics Canada, dated April 10, 2026. Original document. Names Barrie among the five highest unemployment rates of the 20 largest CMAs in March 2026 (8.5%). By July 2026 Barrie had improved to 7.0% and ranked mid-pack — the page states both. All retrieved August 17, 2026.

What industries do people in Barrie work in?

The 2021 census, for the city proper: the biggest employers of Barrie residents were health care and social assistance (10,585 people), retail trade (10,410), manufacturing (8,705), construction (7,385) and educational services (5,365). The census's own labour figures carry a hard caveat: its reference week was May 2–8, 2021, mid-pandemic, which is why its 12.5% unemployment rate must never be quoted beside the survey series above. The annual survey since then shows manufacturing employment in the metropolitan area falling from 19,900 (2023) to 12,600 (2025) — a drop of more than a third, the largest move of any industry — with construction down from 18,100 to 13,100, while education and public administration grew. Small-area annual estimates are noisy; the direction is the claim here, not the last digit.

Source: Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population — Barrie (City and CMA), Statistics Canada, dated May 11, 2021. Original document. Census day was May 11, 2021. Figures for both the city and the census metropolitan area (CMA), which also takes in Innisfil and Springwater: 147,829 and 212,856 people. Retrieved August 9, 2026.

What can a city council actually do about jobs?

Cities do not set interest rates or trade policy. What Barrie's council controls is land and incentives, and it has been using both:

Source: Employment Lands Development Community Improvement Plan, City of Barrie. Original document. Adopted December 3, 2025; By-law 2026-019 (March 4, 2026), amended by By-law 2026-077 (June 17, 2026) adding two Sovereign Defence programs. Six incentive programs including a five-year tax-increment grant; residential, office and retail excluded. Retrieved August 17, 2026.

What this page does not claim

No official list of Barrie's largest employers exists in a citable form — the City's employer directory is an interactive dashboard fed by its annual business survey, and no static table is published, so none appears here. Nor does this page explain the 2026 unemployment spike: the survey records it, coverage noted September 2025's jump as Ontario's largest that month, and no retrieved document apportions the cause. A candidate who attributes it — to the international-student cap, to manufacturing, to council — is going beyond the record this page holds.

Related: housing, education (Georgian College's enrolment squeeze is part of this picture), and population.

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

  • Attract 2,000 new military-related manufacturing jobs to Barrie.

    Source: alexnuttall.ca, Commitments page, 'Community, education and jobs', item 08 '2,000 military-related manufacturing jobs'. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived October 7, 2026. inferred site

  • Designated Barrie as a defence hub to attract jobs supporting members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

    Source: alexnuttall.ca, Term in Review page, 'Economic Development & Jobs', third item. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived October 7, 2026. inferred site

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No published statement on this issue located for 3 candidates. Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (October 7, 2026): Tanya Saari. No campaign website on the City's list: Kay Sayer, Russell Tighe. Indexed news coverage checked October 7, 2026: none quoting any of them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 1

No published statement on this issue located for 6 candidates. Campaign website did not answer when checked (October 7, 2026): Stefano Agostino. Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (October 7, 2026): Shaughna Ainsworth, Brent Bowser, Hafiz Rahman, Pauline Stevenson. No campaign website on the City's list: Christian Cadera. Indexed news coverage checked October 7, 2026: none quoting any of them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 2

Frank Casera

  • At the same time, we shouldn't be afraid to build something new. Responsible economic development can create new opportunities, give people more reasons to visit Barrie and contribute to a city that continues to evolve while maintaining its sense of place.

    Source: buildbarriebetter.com, Pride page, paragraph beginning 'At the same time'. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived October 7, 2026. site

  • We should make it easier for businesses to operate, grow and invest here by creating safe, welcoming places to do business and making thoughtful decisions about how our city develops.

    Source: buildbarriebetter.com, Prosperity page, paragraph beginning 'Local businesses are an important part'. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

  • Investment matters too. Responsible development creates jobs, expands the tax base and helps provide the resources a growing city needs to invest in infrastructure and services.

    Source: buildbarriebetter.com, Prosperity page, paragraph beginning 'Investment matters too'. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

Shanicka Edwards

  • My priority is to help build a downtown that is safe, clean, and economically strong. That means supporting local businesses, reducing unnecessary barriers to investment, improving public safety, and creating an environment where families, students, entrepreneurs, and visitors all feel welcome.

    Source: www.voteedwards.ca, Barrie Today Response page, answer, sentences 3-4. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

  • By partnering with property owners instead of leaving them to carry the full cost, we can unlock private investment and fill vacant storefronts.

    Source: www.voteedwards.ca, Stats & Solutions page, under 'Investing in the Face of our Downtown', first paragraph. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

  • Downtown revitalization must go beyond new development. I will advocate for renewed façade and streetscape incentives, stronger support for local businesses, more opportunities for youth, and a downtown that is safe, active and welcoming.

    Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, Ward 2 candidate says affordability among 'defining issues' this election, September 3, 2026 (paragraph 10). Read September 11, 2026. news

Craig Nixon

  • We have seen success in attracting new businesses in the past few years and must continue our efforts to entice potential employers to choose Barrie as their home.

    Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, 'Incredible' work being done to improve downtown, says Ward 2 incumbent, August 29, 2026 (paragraph 3, second sentence). Read September 11, 2026. news

  • Now that we have additional employment land available, we will be able to create more higher-paying jobs locally and reduce the need for residents who spend valuable time and money getting to and from work.

    Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, 'Incredible' work being done to improve downtown, says Ward 2 incumbent, August 29, 2026 (paragraph 4). Read September 11, 2026. news

  • The free concerts and events such as the Troubadour Festival and the many Open Air Dunlop events will not only assist our businesses downtown but will attract new businesses to the area.

    Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, 'Incredible' work being done to improve downtown, says Ward 2 incumbent, August 29, 2026 (paragraph 10). Read September 11, 2026. news

Ajmal Noushahi

  • By modernizing regulations, we can encourage residents and businesses to invest, grow and contribute to a stronger local economy.

    Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, Barrie must find ways to generate more revenue, says Ward 2 candidate, September 23, 2026 (paragraph 6, after 'Review outdated bylaws and reduce unnecessary barriers.'). Read October 7, 2026. news

  • Support home-based businesses. Make it easier for residents to legally operate small businesses from home while meeting all health and safety requirements.

    Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, Barrie must find ways to generate more revenue, says Ward 2 candidate, September 23, 2026 (paragraph 8). Read October 7, 2026. news

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

Ward 3

Ben Hughes

  • I want Barrie’s economic growth to include more businesses, employers, industry, investment and good jobs—not simply more residential development.

    Source: benhughesbarrie.ca, Jobs & Economic Development position page, first paragraph after the summary. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived October 7, 2026. site

  • Efficient, predictable municipal processes matter to people who want to start, expand or invest in a business. I want the City to provide clear expectations and practical service while protecting the public interest.

    Source: benhughesbarrie.ca, Jobs & Economic Development position page, under 'Conditions That Support Investment'. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived October 7, 2026. site

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  • I believe local business, industry, skilled trades, manufacturing where appropriate and other employers should have room to grow. Barrie benefits when residents have access to a wider range of stable employment close to home.

    Source: benhughesbarrie.ca, Jobs & Economic Development position page, under 'Room for Employers and Skilled Work'. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived October 7, 2026. site

  • Hughes also said he wants to support local businesses and strengthen employment opportunities.

    Source: As reported by CompassNews, Candidates vie for newly redrawn Ward 3 council seat in Barrie, October 1, 2026 (paragraph 16). Read October 7, 2026. news reported

  • I think a stronger job market helps residents through hard times and makes our community even stronger during good times.

    Source: As quoted in CompassNews, Candidates vie for newly redrawn Ward 3 council seat in Barrie, October 1, 2026 (paragraph 17, second quoted sentence). Read October 7, 2026. news

Bryan Jones

  • More jobs mean more income for Barrie, more infrastructure and more resources. I support Mayor Nuttall’s efforts to build a stronger economy.

    Source: As quoted in CompassNews, Ward 3 candidate Bryan Jones sees a bright future for Barrie, June 15, 2026 (paragraph 19 (quote following 'Nobody ever went wrong with getting more jobs')). Read September 10, 2026. news

  • He sees major opportunities emerging from future employment lands in Barrie’s annexed area and supports Mayor Alex Nuttall’s efforts to attract defence manufacturing jobs to the city.

    Source: As reported by CompassNews, Ward 3 candidate Bryan Jones sees a bright future for Barrie, June 15, 2026 (paragraph 17). Read September 10, 2026. news reported

No published statement on this issue located for 2 candidates. Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (October 7, 2026): Amy Courser, Ryan Rijo. 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

  • She wants the city to focus more on attracting good-paying jobs and large employers, saying more businesses are closing while not enough major employers are entering the city.

    Source: As reported by CompassNews, Ward 4 candidates focus on safety, roads, growth and affordability, September 12, 2026 (paragraph 18 (section 'Speaking up about problems')). Read October 7, 2026. news reported

  • More and more businesses are closing, and not too many big employers are hiring – that deserves a lot more attention.

    Source: As quoted in CompassNews, Ward 4 candidates focus on safety, roads, growth and affordability, September 12, 2026 (paragraph 20 (section 'Speaking up about problems')). Read October 7, 2026. news

No published statement on this issue located for 4 candidates. Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (October 7, 2026): Iradat Ahmad, Arif Khan. 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

Duarte Da Silva

  • Small-business support is another priority for Da Silva.

    Source: As reported by CompassNews, Ward 5 race pits experience against change, September 4, 2026 (paragraph 25). Read September 11, 2026. news context

  • For all of the talk around economic development in Barrie, I hear much less about the changing landscape of small businesses that are feeling the pressures of changing markets and corporate consolidation

    Source: As quoted in CompassNews, Ward 5 race pits experience against change, September 4, 2026 (paragraph 26). Read September 11, 2026. news

  • I would support an expansion of small-business grants coordinated with Invest Barrie.

    Source: As quoted in CompassNews, Ward 5 race pits experience against change, September 4, 2026 (paragraph 27). Read September 11, 2026. news

Robert Thomson

  • ✔ Development of a Regional Innovation Centre building on the success of the Sandbox Centre model

    Source: thomsonward5.ca, Accomplishments page, 'Downtown Growth and Economic Development', third check item. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

Ward 6

Nasar George Nader

Christel Pena

  • Local businesses play an important role in creating jobs, strengthening neighbourhoods, and building a vibrant community.

    Source: www.votechristel.ca, 'My Vision for Ward 6' page, under 'Supporting Local Businesses', paragraph 1. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

  • I will work with local business owners to understand their challenges and identify practical solutions that support growth and success.

    Source: www.votechristel.ca, 'My Vision for Ward 6' page, under 'Supporting Local Businesses', paragraph 2. 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): Nigussie Nigussie. Indexed news coverage checked October 7, 2026: none quoting them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 7

Gary Harvey

  • 3,000 jobs created since 2022, with new industrial land driving growth

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

    The record shows: Statistics Canada put Barrie's unemployment rate at 9.2% in April 2026, among the highest of Canada's twenty largest metropolitan areas, easing to 7.0% by July; manufacturing employment in the metropolitan area fell from 19,900 in 2023. The unemployment record.

  • Record 600,000 sq. ft. of industrial space added in 2025

    Source: garyharvey.ca, Home page, under 'THE FIVE POINT PLAN', 'THRIVING COMMUNITY', third 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

  • Support results-oriented investment and responsible development that creates opportunity

    Source: saminaalim.ca, Home page, 'My priorities for Ward 8', under '04 Local economy & community character', first bullet. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived October 7, 2026. searched site

Jim Harris

  • Attracting businesses and creating jobs closer to home is another priority.

    Source: As reported by CompassNews, Ward 8 candidates focus on growth, safety and a changing city, September 25, 2026 (paragraph 14). Read October 7, 2026. news context

  • Having a diverse economy that supports a wide range of skilled and high paying jobs is important for any community.   In this competitive environment Council must ensure Barrie is ready to support entrepreneurs and businesses that represent the new economy.

    Source: votejimforward8.ca, Key Issues page, under 'Stronger Local Economy', sentences 1-2. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

  • This includes having industrial land available to support the growth of both existing and new business.

    Source: votejimforward8.ca, Key Issues page, under 'Stronger Local Economy', last sentence. 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): Amanda Fellows. Indexed news coverage checked October 7, 2026: none quoting them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 9

No published statement on this issue located for 4 candidates. Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (October 7, 2026): Norm Costello, Sergio Morales, Asmar Naveed, Dave Weingarten. Indexed news coverage checked October 7, 2026: none quoting any of them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 10

Georgy Kapustin

  • I also want Barrie to create more opportunities for people to build careers closer to home by supporting small businesses and attracting more professional employment.

    Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, Ward 10 candidate wants more thought put into Barrie's rapid growth, September 15, 2026 (paragraph 8). Read October 7, 2026. news

  • Barrie should not only be a bedroom community for Toronto or a city limited mostly to warehouse and industrial jobs. The city needs stronger small business support, professional employment, and higher-quality local career opportunities so residents with specialized skills, advanced education, and career ambition can build their future here.

    Source: georgyk.com, Priorities page, under 'Small Business and Professional Employment', introductory paragraph. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

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  • Attract satellite offices and professional employers. Barrie should plan designated employment areas, including future downtown office space, to attract companies that create local career opportunities.

    Source: georgyk.com, Priorities page, under 'Small Business and Professional Employment', third bullet. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

  • Encourage higher-quality local employment. Barrie should grow opportunities in technology, finance, engineering, health, and trades.

    Source: georgyk.com, Priorities page, under 'Small Business and Professional Employment', second bullet. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

No published statement on this issue located for 2 candidates. No campaign website on the City's list: William Cadeau. Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (October 7, 2026): Bryn Hamilton. Indexed news coverage checked October 7, 2026: none quoting any of 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

What is the unemployment rate in Barrie?

The Labour Force Survey's series for the Barrie metropolitan area (three-month moving average, seasonally adjusted) reached 9.2% in April 2026 and eased to 7.0% by July 2026. In March 2026 Statistics Canada named Barrie among the five highest rates of Canada's twenty largest metropolitan areas.

What are the biggest industries in Barrie?

By the 2021 census, the biggest employers of Barrie residents were health care and social assistance (10,585 people), retail trade (10,410), manufacturing (8,705), construction (7,385) and educational services (5,365).

Is manufacturing declining in Barrie?

The annual survey shows manufacturing employment in the metropolitan area falling from 19,900 (2023) to 12,600 (2025) — a drop of more than a third, the largest move of any industry. Small-area annual estimates are noisy; the direction is the claim, not the last digit.

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