Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall spent much of Wednesday highlighting his council’s progress over the last three years, celebrating major city initiatives and partnerships — but stopped short of committing to a re-election bid, even as he touted what he described as a long list of “promises made, promises kept.”
Speaking on the ground floor of the former Barrie Transit Terminal, where construction is now underway for Lakehead University’s new Barrie STEM Hub, Nuttall appeared alongside members of council and other city staff to mark the start of work on the downtown facility of more than 1,100 square metres.
Set to open in fall 2026, the hub will deliver undergraduate and graduate programs in engineering, computer science, mechatronics, and other in-demand technical fields.
“This partnership positions Barrie as an economic hub and home for high-tech research and education,” said Dr. Linda Rodenburg, who spoke on behalf of Lakehead University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Gillian Siddall. “Students will be able to study close to home and access growing opportunities in tech and innovation without having to leave the city they love.”
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Nuttall called the project a cornerstone of the city’s vision to give residents “a Barrie they can live their whole lives in,” with access to local education, employment, amenities, and long-term stability. He noted that when he first took office, he directed staff to pursue a university partner immediately.
“Lakehead understood the vision of this city and is delivering on it in a way we didn’t even dream possible.”
Even with Georgian College already holding a presence in downtown Barrie, and soon to be expanding it, Nuttall clarified that because of Lakehead and Georgian's current relationship, the opportunities for young people will grow further.
"It's a really neat thing to finally have here to go [from] diploma to undergraduate and then eventually into graduate programs," He said. "It's something that we never even really envisioned.
"They don't conflict, they actually support each other."
The event eventually shifted into a broader reflection on council’s accomplishments midway through the current term, with Nuttall referencing his original campaign material and the dozens of commitments he made to residents in 2022.
Aside from one item dealing with recreational user fees — which he said is about 60 per cent complete — he maintained that every other promise has been fulfilled or is actively being delivered. These missions of local government were printed on poster boards set up around the space.
Among the achievements he highlighted were efforts to revitalize downtown, expand police visibility, and address homelessness through services and enforcement. He pointed to the city’s pilot program diverting hundreds of inmate releases from being dropped off downtown, increased funding for the Downtown Barrie BIA, and more.
“We said we would work on revitalizing downtown, and we are getting it done with measurable results,” he said.
Nuttall also touted community safety initiatives, including major park and encampment cleanups, enforcement efforts designed to reclaim public spaces, and expanded traffic-calming measures.
“Safety is the foundation of a strong community,” he said. “Our streets, our parks, our trails belong to families and law-abiding citizens.”
The mayor emphasized the city’s financial record as well, noting that despite inflation pressures, Barrie has delivered four consecutive years of zero per cent property tax increases while maintaining service levels—a first in the city’s history.
“Financial discipline isn’t optional. It’s a responsibility,” Nuttall said. “It puts the fuel in the tank for everything else.”
Despite the extended look back at his council’s work, Nuttall did not announce whether he plans to seek another term in next year’s municipal election.
If he is preparing a campaign launch, Nuttall gave no indication, keeping the focus squarely on partnerships, progress, and what he called a renewed vision of a “city that actually works for the people of Barrie.”
“We want a Barrie where people can start a family, work, study, start a business, retire, and have their families grow up behind them — all without having to leave,” he said. “That’s what we’ve been building for the last three years.”
The campaign and nomination periods for 2026 Ontario municipal elections begin May 1.
Whether he will ask voters for another mandate to continue that work remains unanswered. But, Nuttall made it clear it comes down to whether it aligns with his family's future.
