Bill 76, Barrie – Oro-Medonte – Springwater Boundary Adjustment Act, 2025
Chamber
ontario
Stage
Introduced
This Ontario bill annexes portions of Oro-Medonte and Springwater townships into the City of Barrie, effective January 1, 2026.
Key Changes
- Specific lands in Oro-Medonte and Springwater are officially annexed into the City of Barrie as of January 1, 2026
- All public infrastructure (roads, waterlines, sewers) in the annexed areas transfers to Barrie's ownership
- Barrie's by-laws and official plans extend to the annexed areas, replacing those of the townships
- A property tax phase-in is introduced: most properties get a gradual rate increase over 2026–2030; farm/forest properties over 2026–2045
- The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing gains broad regulation-making powers to adjust ward boundaries, compensation amounts, and other transitional details
- Existing township councillors are protected from being disqualified from office solely because of the annexation
Gotchas
- The Minister has the power to override Schedule 1's land description by regulation — meaning the exact boundaries of the annexation can be changed after the bill passes without returning to the legislature.
- The tax phase-in protection ends immediately if a property is sold, rezoned, subdivided, or undergoes certain planning approvals — meaning new owners or developers would pay full Barrie tax rates right away.
- Development Charges Act reserve funds held by the townships are explicitly excluded from the asset transfer to Barrie, which could affect how future development in the annexed area is funded.
- Any legal proceedings related to real property in the annexed areas that were started before the effective date remain the responsibility of the original township or county, not Barrie.
- Regulations made under this Act can be applied retroactively to the effective date, giving the Minister authority to make rules that apply to events that have already occurred.
Who's Affected
- Residents and property owners in the annexed areas of Oro-Medonte and Springwater
- The City of Barrie (gains land, infrastructure, tax base, and service responsibilities)
- Township of Oro-Medonte and Township of Springwater (lose territory and associated assets)
- County of Simcoe (loses some jurisdiction over the annexed lands)
- Farmers and managed forest landowners in the annexed areas (subject to a longer tax phase-in period)
- Businesses and developers operating in the annexed areas
Vibes
0 responses
Gotchas
- The Minister has the power to override Schedule 1's land description by regulation — meaning the exact boundaries of the annexation can be changed after the bill passes without returning to the legislature.
- The tax phase-in protection ends immediately if a property is sold, rezoned, subdivided, or undergoes certain planning approvals — meaning new owners or developers would pay full Barrie tax rates right away.
- Development Charges Act reserve funds held by the townships are explicitly excluded from the asset transfer to Barrie, which could affect how future development in the annexed area is funded.
- Any legal proceedings related to real property in the annexed areas that were started before the effective date remain the responsibility of the original township or county, not Barrie.
- Regulations made under this Act can be applied retroactively to the effective date, giving the Minister authority to make rules that apply to events that have already occurred.
Summary
Bill 76 expands the City of Barrie's boundaries by transferring specific parcels of land from the Township of Oro-Medonte and the Township of Springwater into the city. The annexation takes effect on January 1, 2026 (or the date of Royal Assent if that is later). Once the transfer happens, Barrie takes over ownership of public infrastructure like roads, waterlines, and sewers in the newly added areas, and residents there become subject to Barrie's municipal rules and services. The bill addresses the many practical details that come with a boundary change: which by-laws apply, how official plans carry over, how unpaid property taxes are handled, and how compensation between the municipalities will be determined. Property owners in the annexed areas who would face higher tax rates under Barrie's system are protected by a phase-in period — most properties get a gradual increase over 2026–2030, while farm and managed forest properties get a longer phase-in from 2026 to 2045. The bill was introduced by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Boundary adjustments like this are typically done to accommodate urban growth, ensure efficient delivery of city services, and align municipal boundaries with how communities have actually developed over time.
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Vibes
0 responses
Recorded Votes
| Date | Description | Yeas | Nays | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 9, 2025 | Third Reading of Bill 76, An Act respecting the adjustment of the boundaries between the City of Barrie, the Township of Oro-Medonte and the Township of Springwater . | 70 | 34 | Carried |