The City of Barrie is trying to position itself to attract more investment in Canada’s growing defence and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Mayor Alex Nuttall announced a new mayoral direction at the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CANSEC) conference on Thursday, aimed at making Barrie more competitive for defence-related business development and job creation.
“In Barrie, we understand that success in the sector comes down to one thing: move at the speed of business,” Nuttall said during the announcement in Ottawa, speaking to a crowd of defence entrepreneurs.
As part of the direction, Barrie plans to update zoning bylaws so defence industries and “sovereign-aligned uses” are clearly defined and permitted within the city. The initiative also includes an initial $50 million incentive package aimed at attracting investment and accelerating development.
The city says the initiative is part of a broader “Team Ontario” effort to support Canada’s military capabilities and expand domestic defence manufacturing.
CANSEC is Canada’s largest defence and security trade show, bringing together companies from across Canada and around the world to showcase military and emerging technologies.
Officials also plan to introduce financial incentives aimed at attracting defence-related investment, including a proposed sovereign defence industry program under the city’s Employment Development Community Improvement Plan. The program would reduce development charges for eligible defence industries.
The city also intends to create a dedicated concierge model designed to move projects through municipal processes more quickly.
“We find ourselves at the precipice of a generational opportunity and only the jurisdictions who move with urgency, nimbleness, and intent will stand to benefit,” said Vic Fedeli, Ontario’s minister of economic development, job creation and trade.
Nuttall said Barrie’s location, available employment lands, skilled workforce, and proximity to Canadian Forces Base Borden position the city well for growth in the defence, aerospace, and dual-use technology sectors.
“Barrie is the easy button for companies looking to invest, expand and grow,” he said.
The city also pointed to investments through the Sandbox Regional Innovation Centre, along with support for Lakehead University’s soon-to-open engineering and STEM hub, as part of its efforts to support defence technology advancement.
Nuttall also announced an additional $2.5 million to support the training of Canadian Armed Forces members at Georgian College’s Barrie campus.
A public meeting on proposed updates to the Employment Lands Development Community Improvement Plan is scheduled for June 17 during the city’s affordability committee meeting. Residents wishing to provide comments must register with the city clerk’s office before noon that day.
Nuttall’s announcement coincided with the Ontario government unveiling its framework for the Ontario Defence Industrial Strategy, which aims to create up to 43,000 jobs in the sector and add $6 billion to the provincial economy.
“With our manufacturing know-how, our cutting-edge research ecosystem and reliable supply chain, Ontario is uniquely positioned to expand our defence and security footprint, secure Canada’s sovereignty, support allies around the world and grow our economy for generations to come,” Premier Doug Ford said.
The urgency in adding more defence industry in Ontario comes after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced in June that Canada was committing to meet NATO's defence spending target of 5 per cent of its GDP by 2035.
