A row of tents from a homeless encampment lines a street in Barrie, Ont. CTV
The mayor of Barrie, Ont., has declared a state of emergency. He said the city faces rising encampments and a surge in crime. “Barrie residents have had enough,” Mayor Alex Nuttall said Tuesday. He explained that tents cannot remain in public spaces when supports already exist.
Encampments Linked to Safety Concerns
Nuttall said crime has grown around expanding encampments. He argued that delays in addressing the issue forced stronger measures. He said the goal is to reclaim public areas and restore safety. “These actions are necessary due to the increase in severity of lawlessness,” Nuttall said.
Emergency Powers in Place
The emergency declaration gives the city new authority. Staff can create a task force, hire contractors, and enforce rules more aggressively. The mayor said the first priority is clearing the encampment near the courthouse. He promised help for people seeking housing but warned that tents will be removed.
Province Supports Tougher Approach
In June, Ontario passed the Safer Municipalities Act. The law gives cities and police stronger tools to clear encampments. It also allows tickets or arrests when people refuse to leave public spaces or use drugs illegally in those areas. Nuttall has not confirmed whether Barrie will use those powers.
Housing Shortage Remains a Barrier
Some advocates warn that homelessness and crime are separate problems. Sara Peddle, head of the David Busby Centre, said most homeless people follow the law. She added that encampments continue because there is not enough housing. She pointed to county data showing about 2,000 people homeless in Simcoe County, but nowhere near enough housing units to match that need.
Balancing Safety and Shelter
Nuttall believes the rise in encampments connects to rising crime. “If you see a growth in encampments and then you see a growth in crime exactly around that encampment, I don’t see any other major issues that have influenced that,” he said.
County and Province Offer Help
Simcoe County Warden Basil Clarke said the county will support Barrie with housing efforts. He said the county will use provincial funding to create new housing options. “Today’s announcement by Mayor Nuttall reinforces our shared goal: to ensure everyone who wants a roof over their head has access to one,” Clarke said.
The province also signalled support. Alexandra Sanita, press secretary for Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack, said Ontario will continue to work with municipalities. She added the government is making record investments in supportive housing while protecting public spaces.
