MAKE A SUGGESTION
We want to hear from you.
We’re sure that Barrie residents have many great ideas for their City. This is the best place to express and share those ideas with your community. Let’s get the conversations started!
| HOW IT WORKS: | |
| Step 1 | Enter your idea below and check to see if your suggestion has already been made; if it has, give it your vote and/or comment. |
| Step 2 | If your suggestion has not already been added to this forum, post it! |
| Step 3 | Once a suggestion reaches 500 votes, it will be noted as Under Review. |
23 results found
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Establish a Barrie Transit Advisory Committee
Barrie Riders urges Barrie City Council to establish a Barrie Transit Advisory Committee (BTAC) to enhance community engagement and improve our transit services. Currently, Barrie stands out as one of the few larger municipalities in Ontario without a dedicated advisory committee for its transit system, despite having an Active Transportation and Sustainability Advisory Committee. Especially given the recent concerns regarding the New Transit Network and more specifically, Transit On-Demand, riders must be at the table informing Council on Barrie’s transit system.
At least 16 Ontario municipalities, including Toronto, Guelph, Windsor, Peterborough, and Orillia, have successfully implemented transit advisory committees. These…
131 votes -
Legalize Backyard Chickens In Barrie
This topic was brought to council in 2023 due to 500 voted on the first suggestion, and was brought to council for discussion, it was then approved for an investigation but was quickly withdrawn due to the council being too low in staff
Let’s bring this topic back to 500 and votes so it can be brought to council for discussion.58 votes -
Windrow snow clearing
Provide clearing of windrow snow from the end of the driveways. Other cities such as Vaughan, toronto, and mississauga provide this to all residents.
If it is a budgetary concern, then only provide this service for senior residents. The elderly should not be clearing the heavy, icy snow left over by the snow plows
57 votes -
Re-instate flashing lights during reduced speed hours
With the new speed enforcement cameras being installed, the lights warning when the reduced speed hours are active have been covered in black plastic.
As a former police officer, if I was to do this while conducting speed enforcement, this would constitute police trickery which would result in the case being tossed immediately.
Expecting someone to read a sign when entering a school zone only causes drivers to become distracted by trying to read the hours on the scene and not pay attention to pedestrians walking in the area.
Therefore I am requesting it to be mandatory that in areas…
93 votesThank you for participating in the City of Barrie's Suggestion Forum.
The sign indicating how the speed limit can differ depending on the time of year, the day, and time of day—related to times when children are travelling to and from schools—temporarily replaces the flashing lights to warn of a 40 km/h zone, which must be covered when cameras are active. The Government of Ontario doesn't permit speed limits that vary and flashing lights to be posted at the same time. A static speed limit sign allows a provincial offences officer to be 100% confident that the accurate speed limit was posted to advise drivers of the maximum speed, which helps ensure that the ASE regulation under the Highway Traffic Act (Regulation 398/19 Sec 3.1.6) can be fully met and that tickets can be issued.
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allow ball python and boa snakes
change exotic animal by law to allow ball python and boas in to Barrie
148 votes -
2 votes
The City currently maintains three web cams at Barrie City Hall (70 Collier Street) that are updated every two minutes: barrie.ca/CityHall
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Create an off-leash dog part in the unused portion of Holly park
South West Barrie does not have a dog park, and with the growing traffic, getting to the other dog parks takes 10-15 minutes. There is a portion of the Holly park that is currently green space and is almost always unused which would make a great spot for neighbourhood dog owners to congregate. Additionally, it would reduce the use of neighbourhood schools as off leash areas, reducing the chance of dog related incidents and possible messes. See the attached screenshot for location
10 votes -
build a public sauna and hot tub facility
Barrie would benefit from offering pay-to-access spa, meaning a hot tub, steam room and sauna facility. The former YMCA had two programs for men and women, offering access to these amenities. It has been four years in Barrie with no sauna, steam room or spa hot tub. These are great for attracting visitors to our city, and offer relaxation at the end of a busy day. A fee for use would bring in money.
2 votes -
Transit On Demand Improvements
I have a few questions, comments, suggestions, and even an anecdote about one of my most recent bus ride that I wanted to share. And for simplicity sake I thought it would be easiest if I simply provide a list of my questions and suggestions regarding the transit on demand program or atleast regarding my experiences with it to this point.
Regular schedule with small buses is more efficient
Giving names to book and board the bus has almost turned the bus into a vip club and the poor driver into a doorman that won't let you and your registered…
3 votes -
Open a fenced, off-leash dog park in downtown Barrie
I saw the previous suggestion from 4 years ago regarding a waterfront dog park. I wanted to renew the subject with a new post. My suggestion is a dog park in the downtown area. Doesn’t necessarily need to be a beach, just a fenced area that is safe for both our dogs and the people passing by. Maybe a part of the Sam Cancilla Park? That, I would of course leave up to the city planners.
I am sure you would know the numbers, but from what I observed; there is a large number of dog owners living in the…1 vote -
Create more public saunas
I think we need to have more public saunas at our community centres. The only available public sauna outside of the large chain gyms (which would require a regular priced monthly membership to access), is at Allandale Rec Centre. There is much emerging scientific research demonstrating that 20 min in a sauna at least 4x/week has significant positive impact on cardiovascular health as it mimics moderate aerobic exercise. It also reduces anxiety and has brain benefits as well. So, for folks who are not as active as they’d like to be or perhaps have a disability or injury such that…
1 vote -
Instead of hot spot, do presto? Or at least discount
The HotSpot app is not reliable. There has been too many issues. Why not switch to presto so buying passes are easier with no bugs and we aren't relying 100% on our phones if the app isn't working. Plus it will be easier to use one pass between Barrie and the Toronto area.
Or if that is not to be, why not do discounts if you buy the Hotspot pass? You are already saving money by not printing cards and paying someone for me to purchase from.
6 votes -
Deal with the rats.
The rat problem here is out of control, causing damages to homes and properties in the city. We’ve had green bins chewed through, trash cans, siding… etc. Killed 5 in an hour the other week with snaps, during the day. The bait boxes don’t work effectively enough to deal with the population the city is dealing with. Something needs to be implemented so residents can have some peace of mind. I’ve witnessed this throughout the city as I’m sure many others have. I will refrain from uploading the images I have at this time.
5 votes -
Put a splash pad near Catherine park we need more things for kids in summer on this end
Put splash pad near Catherine park we need more splash pads in this area
3 votes -
400 and mapleview
The congestion around 400 and mapleview is insane. There are too many access points for businesses with lack of ease of accessibility.
Could it be possible to move the access to the go southbound on 400 from Mapleview to Lockhart road maybe. Even an on ramp too ?
7 votes -
Allow Backyard Hens in Barrie to support a Healthier Community!
It is understood that until December 2001, when council passed a by-law to ban the birds, a resident could have up to 20 hens on a property.
Many local and comparable municipalities have permitted backyard hens in recent years including Orillia, Newmarket, Georgina and Toronto.
Generally, the number of hens are limited for each residential property and there are coop/enclosure size and setback requirements clearly set out through the application or by-law to ensure there are no negative impacts. As an example, roosters are not permitted.
Backyard hens were brought forward in 2020 to General Committee as an Item for…
37 votesThe City of Barrie is in the process of creating a new comprehensive Zoning By-law, which will be designed to implement the vision and policies of Barrie’s recently adopted Official Plan.
Due to public interest, the new Zoning By-law proposes to establish zoning standards for chicken enclosures and use provisions for backyard chickens (see section 4.9).
To download the first draft of the new Zoning By-law and for full information, please visit BuildingBarrie.ca/zoning.
The first draft of the new Zoning By-law is open for public feedback online until April 28, 2023. Public meetings are also being held to gather feedback:
In-person Public Information CentreApril 19, 4pm–7pm
Barrie City Hall Rotunda (70 Collier Street)
No pre-registration required
Virtual Public Information CentreApril 20, 2–3pm
Please register in advance
City staff will collect public and stakeholder feedback from the first draft of the Zoning By-law and incorporate this into…
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Create another disc golf course
The current disc golf course is one of the most used courses in all of Canada. It is frequently busy and often has out of town visitors as well.
It would be amazing if the town could add an additional course as it would reduce the traffic on the current course and allow for more options when playing disc golf in Barrie.
3 votes -
Preserve our Allandale Train Station and Turn it into a Heritage Museum that includes honoring the indigenous roots
It would be amazing to see the Allandale Train Station turned into a heritage museum that features past photos of our city and how much it has evolved over the years along with a museum dedicated to and honoring the indigenous roots of our community.
The station can also have a cafe, souvenir shop, and room designated for guest speaking events, crafts and workshops. Profits from the souvenir shop can go towards the heritage society or downtown BIA to help us continue to preserve any historical landmarks petitioned to be saved.11 votes -
Build an outdoor pool so citizens of all ages can cool off
Beaches are way too overcrowded in the summer months. The current population and the tourist population has become so vast that it is impossible to find parking or beach area to sit. Due to the risks involved in contracting COVID, many residents prefer to be outside instead of using indoor pools. The recreation centre's also limit the use of public swim times that are available to residents.
15 votes -
Promote this site so more people are aware of it
This is a great site, but could be better if more people knew about it. I found out from a stranger on a Facebook group. Every tax payer/ barrie resident should be apart of this group.
8 votes
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