With an initial $50 million from city funds, this initiative aims to make Barrie a hub for the military defence sector.
Barrie’s ‘sovereign defence’ project has received approval from Ontario’s Land Tribunal (OLT).
The appeal against an amendment to Barrie zoning bylaw 2026-076 has been dropped, and the OLT confirmed that the issue is resolved, according to a release from the city issued today. The OLT’s website indicates that the status is closed.
This decision allows Barrie to proceed with efforts to attract and develop businesses that meet Canada’s defence requirements, as stated by the city, which aligns with Ontario’s defence industrial strategy.
The appeal was filed by Dr. Mackenzie Chown, a physician in Barrie and an organizer with Simcoe County for Palestine. He had raised concerns about ensuring developments get conservation authority approval for protected areas before moving forward, but those concerns have now been addressed.
“I feel confident that the conservation authority will still have to approve plans for development on regulated lands,” Chown told Barrie Today this afternoon.
The City of Barrie had requested that Chown’s appeal be dismissed without needing an OLT hearing. A hearing for this dismissal motion was set for September 23, prior to the withdrawal of the appeal.
This program is aimed at fostering ‘sovereign defence’ investment in Barrie and is supported by an initial $50 million from the city’s tax capital reserve. It seeks to enhance a broader strategy positioning Barrie as a defence-ready city focused on job creation, investment opportunities, and sustainable economic growth.
The OLT resolves land-planning disputes when developers, residents, and local councils cannot reach consensus. It used to be known as the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB).
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