Barrie one step closer to expanding city limits after Oro-Medonte vote

Oro-Medonte council made a reluctant vote on Barrie's boundary proposal at Tuesday's meeting.

It was more of a formality than anything at Oro-Medonte council Tuesday night, as councillors reluctantly voted in favour of the City of Barrie’s proposed boundary adjustment — a move many said was inevitable.

Despite hesitation, council approved the annexation agreement that would see Barrie’s borders expand into Oro-Medonte. The decision follows lengthy negotiation involving the township, the City of Barrie, and the Ontario government.

At the meeting, several councillors expressed frustration, saying they were told the province planned to approve the boundary change regardless of how councils voted.

Still, Oro-Medonte put forward several recommendations to Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, aiming to influence how the land is developed once transferred.

The township is asking the annexed lands remain designated strictly for residential use — not for industrial purposes — and that any wetlands included in the area remain under Oro-Medonte’s jurisdiction. However, final decisions rest with the minister.

The annexation proposal, part of Barrie’s long-term growth plan, has faced pushback from those in Oro-Medonte, who fear it will alter the township’s rural character.

“We should be given a condition that developable land will never ever be used for industrial purposes,” said Jane Voorheis of the West Oro Ratepayers’ Association. “I’m very disheartened by tonight, because that condition was not put in place.”

Oro-Medonte Mayor Randy Greenlaw acknowledged the compromise, saying the township did what it could.

“There are not necessarily home runs in negotiations,” Greenlaw said. “Did we get everything we want? No, maybe not. But at the end of the day, I’m proud of how the team conducted themselves professionally, and we made the best of a challenging situation.”

The province has given affected municipalities until Friday to vote on the proposed boundary adjustment. Springwater Township is expected to make its decision Wednesday night. Legislation to formalize the boundary changes could be introduced before the end of the year.