For the first time since a major land deal, Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall and Springwater Mayor Jennifer Coughlin met face to face Wednesday, after the province transferred more than three thousand acres of township lands to the city. Annexation talks began three years ago and have faced some controversy. Nuttall said Barrie needs the land to grow for industrial development north of the city. “More support for seniors, more jobs in the city of Barrie, more land set aside for conservation over at Little Lake,” said Nuttall. There was push back from other members of Springwater council, ultimately coming to accusations of backroom deals and threats of lawsuits. Some are still pushing for a judicial review of Coughlin’s use of strong mayor’s powers to accept the final deal. The province legislated the annexation late in 2025. Barrie officially took over the lands at the beginning of 2026. The city and township signed a provincially mandated $23 million compensation agreement two weeks ago, paying out over the next five years. “Through this compensation package, it’s work that I don’t know when Springwater would have been able to do it,” said Coughlin. “We’re moving forward with our economic development strategy, and that’s really the top priority.” Nuttall said it also includes $100 million in water and wastewater infrastructure to serve parts of Springwater. “It means a greater relationship between the City of Barrie and Springwater Township,” said Nuttall. “One that is, I think, blossoming, especially on the economic development front.” Notably absent from these discussions is Oro-Medonte Mayor Randy Greenlaw. Barrie has not yet announced the details of the compensation agreement for that municipality. Nuttall said they will be handing over the $10 million directed by the province in the annexation bill, but it’s not clear when that’s going to happen.
