Barrie, ON – Statement from the Downtown Barrie BIA Board of Management

The Downtown Barrie BIA, representing over 400 locally owned businesses and property owners, recognizes the recent state of emergency declared by Mayor Alex Nuttall regarding homelessness, drug use, and related crime in our community. This declaration has drawn national attention, underscoring the seriousness of the challenges faced in our city’s core.

Downtowns are the heart of a community. For more than 200 years, Downtown Barrie has served as a place where people gather, celebrate, and support one another. It is where history, culture, and commerce come together, and it remains vital that our downtown continues to be a safe, welcoming environment for residents, visitors, and businesses alike.

As compassionate community members, we believe that all people, regardless of their circumstance, deserve access to the supports they need to live with dignity, health, and opportunity. The declaration of a state of emergency provides a pathway to secure additional resources, partnerships, and actions to ensure those supports are in place.

The Downtown Barrie BIA has long been proactively initiating, collaborating, and partnering with representatives across all levels of government, local enforcement and social services. Whether through ongoing dialogue, joint initiatives, or direct support for community-led strategies, the BIA is committed to being part of the solution and helping to create a downtown that works for everyone.

The Downtown Barrie BIA Board commends local leadership for taking decisive action to address this urgent and complex situation. By prioritizing safety, compassion, and solutions, we can ensure that our downtown remains not only a vibrant economic engine but also a gathering place where every member of our community feels safe and welcome.

Downtown  Barrie BIA Board of Management