Jobs and unemployment in Barrie

In March 2026, Statistics Canada named Barrie among the five highest unemployment rates of Canada's twenty largest metropolitan areas. By July the rate had eased to 7.0%. Both facts are true, both are recent, and a campaign will quote whichever one suits — this page carries the whole series so you can check either claim against it.

What is Barrie's unemployment rate, and why is it so high?

The Labour Force Survey's series for the Barrie metropolitan area (three-month moving average, seasonally adjusted) runs from 4.6% in February 2020, the last reading before the pandemic reached the survey, through the 13.3% pandemic peak of January 2021, down to 3.9% in February 2023 — then a choppy rise across 2024 and 2025, sawtoothing rather than climbing smoothly (October 2025's 8.6% was followed by 8.3% in January 2026), to 9.2% in April 2026, easing to 7.0% by July. The 2026 spike came alongside a falling participation rate (69.0% in January to 65.3% in July). Falling participation on its own tends to lower the measured unemployment rate, because people who stop looking for work leave the count — so the rise happened despite that pull, not because of it. The survey does not say why either figure moved, and neither does this page.

Unemployment rate, Barrie CMA, quarterly points from the monthly series, 2019–2026

Unemployment rate, Barrie CMA

Three-month moving average, seasonally adjusted, Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey.

The chart plots every third month for legibility; the full monthly series is committed with the source record and includes the points shown. July 2026 employment: 128,500, participation 65.3%. Small-CMA survey estimates are noisier than national ones.

Sources: Labour force characteristics by census metropolitan area, three-month moving average, seasonally adjusted (Table 14-10-0459-01) — Barrie CMA, Statistics Canada.

Original document. December 2018 through July 2026, monthly. Three-month moving averages, seasonally adjusted, so they cannot be mixed with the annual table or the census figures, which are on different bases. The older table 14-10-0378 is archived and ends in 2024. The Daily — Labour Force Survey, March 2026, Statistics Canada, dated April 10, 2026. Original document. Names Barrie among the five highest unemployment rates of the 20 largest CMAs in March 2026 (8.5%). By July 2026 Barrie had improved to 7.0% and ranked mid-pack — the page states both. All retrieved August 17, 2026.

What industries do people in Barrie work in?

The 2021 census, for the city proper: the biggest employers of Barrie residents were health care and social assistance (10,585 people), retail trade (10,410), manufacturing (8,705), construction (7,385) and educational services (5,365). The census's own labour figures carry a hard caveat: its reference week was May 2–8, 2021, mid-pandemic, which is why its 12.5% unemployment rate must never be quoted beside the survey series above. The annual survey since then shows manufacturing employment in the metropolitan area falling from 19,900 (2023) to 12,600 (2025) — a drop of more than a third, the largest move of any industry — with construction down from 18,100 to 13,100, while education and public administration grew. Small-area annual estimates are noisy; the direction is the claim here, not the last digit.

Source: Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population — Barrie (City and CMA), Statistics Canada, dated May 11, 2021.

Original document. Census day was May 11, 2021. Figures for both the city and the census metropolitan area (CMA), which also takes in Innisfil and Springwater: 147,829 and 212,856 people. Retrieved August 9, 2026.

How many jobs does the City's own business survey count?

The City surveys Barrie's businesses and employers and publishes the results as open data, one directory a year. Its latest directory, 2025, counts 43,263 full-time and 18,425 part-time jobs at 4,389 business locations. These are the businesses that answered, not every job in the city, so a change between years can be a change in who answered as much as in jobs; the Labour Force Survey above counts people, not jobs, over a wider area.

Full-time and part-time jobs counted in the City of Barrie's Business and Employer Directory, by directory

Full-time Part-time

Each bar is the City's own total for one directory, as published on its open-data site; the City's figures by industry add up to the same totals.

Survey responses, not a census: businesses that did not answer are not counted, and the number answering differs from year to year. The year is the one in the City's name for each directory.

Notes to the chart

¹ Undated: The City publishes this directory with no year in its name ("Business Directory Public"). Its layer was last edited February 10, 2023, before the 2022 directory (May 25, 2023), so it is drawn first; which survey year it holds is not stated.

Source: Business and Employer Directory: an undated first directory and the 2022–2025 directories (open-data feature services), City of Barrie.

Original document. Queried by tools/opendata.py; raw copy kept in research/opendata/raw/. Counts and sums only are published; each record is a point, placed in the ward it falls in. Retrieved October 15, 2026.

Which industries employ the most people, by the City's survey?

In the City's 2025 directory, health care and social assistance counts the most jobs, 8,341 full-time and 5,114 part-time, followed by retail trade and manufacturing. Of the eight largest, only accommodation and food services has more part-time than full-time jobs; manufacturing is almost all full-time (6,833 of 7,117). The census figures above count where residents work, including outside Barrie; this counts jobs at Barrie businesses that answered the survey.

Jobs by industry in the City of Barrie's 2025 Business and Employer Directory, full-time and part-time

Full-time Part-time

The City's own job totals for each industry (two-digit North American Industry Classification System sector), eight largest by full- plus part-time jobs; the other sectors are summed in the last bar.

Survey responses, not a census: an industry whose businesses answered less often looks smaller than it is.

Source: Business and Employer Directory: an undated first directory and the 2022–2025 directories (open-data feature services), City of Barrie.

Where are the businesses the City surveyed?

Two wards, Ward 8 and Ward 2, hold 58.64% of the locations in the City's 2025 directory, by this site's arithmetic. This counts locations, not jobs; the City does not publish job figures by ward. The businesses inside the downtown BIA are on downtown Barrie.

Business locations in the City of Barrie's 2025 Business and Employer Directory, by ward

Each location that answered the City's 2025 survey, placed in a 2026 ward by this site from its mapped point.

Survey responses, not every business in the ward. Locations outside the ward boundaries, left out: 1.

Source: Business and Employer Directory: an undated first directory and the 2022–2025 directories (open-data feature services), City of Barrie.

What can a city council actually do about jobs?

Cities do not set interest rates or trade policy. What Barrie's council controls is land and incentives, and it has been using both:

The 2026 annexation was argued substantially on employment land — the province's notice cited Barrie running out of it by the 2040s. See annexation.
The Employment Lands Development Community Improvement Plan, adopted December 2025 and given force by By-law 2026-019 (March 2026), offers six incentive programs — including a five-year tax-increment grant — for industrial development, with residential, office and retail expressly excluded. By-law 2026-077 (June 2026) added two "Sovereign Defence" programs, enacting a mayoral direction issued May 28, 2026 — the direction and the by-law are a month apart, and dates quoted for the change can be either.
In May 2026 the mayor announced a $50 million defence-investment incentive package at the CANSEC defence show, issued by mayoral direction under strong-mayor powers, plus $2.5 million for Canadian Armed Forces training at Georgian College — as reported by Barrie 360, May 28, 2026. A mayoral direction is not a council vote, which is itself a fact worth knowing in an election year.

Source: Employment Lands Development Community Improvement Plan, City of Barrie.

Original document. Adopted December 3, 2025; By-law 2026-019 (March 4, 2026), amended by By-law 2026-077 (June 17, 2026) adding two Sovereign Defence programs. Six incentive programs including a five-year tax-increment grant; residential, office and retail excluded. Retrieved August 17, 2026.

What this page does not claim

No official list of Barrie's largest employers exists in a citable form — the City's employer directory is an interactive dashboard fed by its annual business survey, and no static table is published, so none appears here. The directory's citywide, industry and ward totals, which the City does publish as open data, are charted above. Nor does this page explain the 2026 unemployment spike: the survey records it, coverage noted September 2025's jump as Ontario's largest that month, and no retrieved document apportions the cause. A candidate who attributes it — to the international-student cap, to manufacturing, to council — is going beyond the record this page holds.

Related: housing, education (Georgian College's enrolment squeeze is part of this picture), and population.

What the candidates have said

Verbatim, attributed, dated. Every passage below is copied exactly from an archived copy of its source — a campaign website, a news article, or the candidate's own social media post — and links to it. Nothing is paraphrased by this site and no for-or-against label is applied: read the words, follow the link. Passages from news coverage say whether they are the candidate quoted, the reporter's reported speech, or the reporter's characterisation.

Compiled in a research batch dated October 15, 2026, reviewed by hand before publication on October 15, 2026.

Passages are capped at 60 words and listed newest first; undated campaign pages show and sort by the date archived. A candidate with nothing located on an issue is listed as such, with the date their sources were checked; a race is shown only once every candidate in it has been checked. See methodology.

Mayor

Alex Nuttall

Attract 2,000 new military-related manufacturing jobs to Barrie.

Source: alexnuttall.ca, Commitments page, 'Community, education and jobs', item 08 '2,000 military-related manufacturing jobs'. Page. Undated; archived October 7, 2026. Official site
Designated Barrie as a defence hub to attract jobs supporting members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Source: alexnuttall.ca, Term in Review page, 'Economic Development & Jobs', third item. Page. Undated; archived October 7, 2026. Official site

Show 6 more passages

Nuttall finished by setting three specific targets: bringing 2,000 new manufacturing jobs to the city, building and filling 800 affordable housing units, and "getting our streets back."

Source: As reported by Barrie 360, Barrie mayoral candidates broadly aligned but offer different visions on homelessness, taxes and more, October 7, 2026 (paragraph 42 (photo captions and podcast promo not counted)). Read October 7, 2026. Media coverage reported
Barrie is the easy button for companies looking to invest, expand and grow,

Nuttall said Barrie’s location, available employment lands, skilled workforce, and proximity to Canadian Forces Base Borden position the city well for growth in the defence, aerospace, and dual-use technology sectors.

Source: As quoted in Barrie 360, Barrie unveils defence investment incentives at CANSEC, May 28, 2026 (paragraph 11; paragraph 10). Read October 15, 2026. Media coverage
We have too many people working in Toronto and living on a highway

Nuttall said future economic growth could also be tied to defence-sector investment and private-sector partnerships.

Source: As quoted in CompassNews, Nuttall kicks off re-election campaign in Barrie, May 6, 2026 (paragraph 15; paragraph 16). Read September 10, 2026. Media coverage
Four years from now, I see a Barrie that reduces its reliance on Toronto and build our own sustainable job market, stronger industrial land capacity for a brighter tomorrow

Source: As quoted in BarrieToday, Nuttall announces campaign for second term as Barrie mayor, May 5, 2026 (paragraph 4). Read October 15, 2026. Media coverage

No published statement on this issue located for 3 candidates. Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (October 7, 2026): Tanya Saari.

No campaign website on the City's list: Kay Sayer, Russell Tighe. Indexed news coverage checked October 15, 2026: none quoting any of them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 1

Stefano Agostino

“We need a clear, well-thought-out plan that includes proper infrastructure, meaningful community input, and a strategy for attracting quality businesses, manufacturers and developers that align with the city's long-term vision,” Agostino said.

Source: As quoted in BarrieToday, Ward 1 candidates weigh in on how Barrie should develop 460 hectares of annexed land, October 9, 2026 (paragraph 36). Read October 15, 2026. Media coverage

Brent Bowser

“I would also like to see opportunities for industry and businesses that create good-paying jobs in Barrie.

Source: As quoted in BarrieToday, Ward 1 candidates weigh in on how Barrie should develop 460 hectares of annexed land, October 9, 2026 (paragraph 9, second sentence). Read October 15, 2026. Media coverage

No published statement on this issue located for 4 candidates. Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (October 7, 2026): Shaughna Ainsworth, Hafiz Rahman, Pauline Stevenson.

No campaign website on the City's list: Christian Cadera. Indexed news coverage checked October 15, 2026: none quoting any of them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 2

Frank Casera

At the same time, we shouldn't be afraid to build something new. Responsible economic development can create new opportunities, give people more reasons to visit Barrie and contribute to a city that continues to evolve while maintaining its sense of place.

Source: buildbarriebetter.com, Pride page, paragraph beginning 'At the same time'. Page. Undated; archived October 7, 2026. Official site
We should make it easier for businesses to operate, grow and invest here by creating safe, welcoming places to do business and making thoughtful decisions about how our city develops.

Investment matters too. Responsible development creates jobs, expands the tax base and helps provide the resources a growing city needs to invest in infrastructure and services.

Source: buildbarriebetter.com, Prosperity page, paragraph beginning 'Local businesses are an important part'; Prosperity page, paragraph beginning 'Investment matters too'. Page. Undated; archived September 10, 2026. Official site

Shanicka Edwards

My priority is to help build a downtown that is safe, clean, and economically strong. That means supporting local businesses, reducing unnecessary barriers to investment, improving public safety, and creating an environment where families, students, entrepreneurs, and visitors all feel welcome.

Source: www.voteedwards.ca, Barrie Today Response page, answer, sentences 3-4. Page. Undated; archived September 10, 2026. Official site
By partnering with property owners instead of leaving them to carry the full cost, we can unlock private investment and fill vacant storefronts.

Source: www.voteedwards.ca, Stats & Solutions page, under 'Investing in the Face of our Downtown', first paragraph. Page. Undated; archived September 10, 2026. Official site
Downtown revitalization must go beyond new development. I will advocate for renewed façade and streetscape incentives, stronger support for local businesses, more opportunities for youth, and a downtown that is safe, active and welcoming.

Source: As quoted in BarrieToday, Ward 2 candidate says affordability among 'defining issues' this election, September 3, 2026 (paragraph 10). Read September 11, 2026. Media coverage

Craig Nixon

We have seen success in attracting new businesses in the past few years and must continue our efforts to entice potential employers to choose Barrie as their home.

Now that we have additional employment land available, we will be able to create more higher-paying jobs locally and reduce the need for residents who spend valuable time and money getting to and from work.

The free concerts and events such as the Troubadour Festival and the many Open Air Dunlop events will not only assist our businesses downtown but will attract new businesses to the area.

Source: As quoted in BarrieToday, 'Incredible' work being done to improve downtown, says Ward 2 incumbent, August 29, 2026 (paragraph 3, second sentence; paragraph 4; paragraph 10). Read September 11, 2026. Media coverage

Ajmal Noushahi

By modernizing regulations, we can encourage residents and businesses to invest, grow and contribute to a stronger local economy.

Support home-based businesses. Make it easier for residents to legally operate small businesses from home while meeting all health and safety requirements.

Source: As quoted in BarrieToday, Barrie must find ways to generate more revenue, says Ward 2 candidate, September 23, 2026 (paragraph 6, after 'Review outdated bylaws and reduce unnecessary barriers.'; paragraph 8). Read October 7, 2026. Media coverage

No published statement on this issue located for one candidate. No campaign website on the City's list: Tracy Strohm. Indexed news coverage checked October 15, 2026: none quoting them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 3

Ben Hughes

I want Barrie’s economic growth to include more businesses, employers, industry, investment and good jobs—not simply more residential development.

Efficient, predictable municipal processes matter to people who want to start, expand or invest in a business. I want the City to provide clear expectations and practical service while protecting the public interest.

I believe local business, industry, skilled trades, manufacturing where appropriate and other employers should have room to grow. Barrie benefits when residents have access to a wider range of stable employment close to home.

Source: benhughesbarrie.ca, Jobs & Economic Development position page, first paragraph after the summary; Jobs & Economic Development position page, under 'Conditions That Support Investment'; Jobs & Economic Development position page, under 'Room for Employers and Skilled Work'. Page. Undated; archived October 7, 2026. Official site
Hughes also said he wants to support local businesses and strengthen employment opportunities.

I think a stronger job market helps residents through hard times and makes our community even stronger during good times.

Source: As reported by CompassNews, Candidates vie for newly redrawn Ward 3 council seat in Barrie, October 1, 2026 (paragraph 16; paragraph 17, second quoted sentence). Read October 7, 2026. Media coverage reported

Bryan Jones

More jobs mean more income for Barrie, more infrastructure and more resources. I support Mayor Nuttall’s efforts to build a stronger economy.

He sees major opportunities emerging from future employment lands in Barrie’s annexed area and supports Mayor Alex Nuttall’s efforts to attract defence manufacturing jobs to the city.

Source: As quoted in CompassNews, Ward 3 candidate Bryan Jones sees a bright future for Barrie, June 15, 2026 (paragraph 19 (quote following 'Nobody ever went wrong with getting more jobs'); paragraph 17). Read September 10, 2026. Media coverage

No published statement on this issue located for 2 candidates. Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (October 7, 2026): Amy Courser, Ryan Rijo. Indexed news coverage checked October 15, 2026: none quoting any of them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 4

Lori Galeazza

She wants the city to focus more on attracting good-paying jobs and large employers, saying more businesses are closing while not enough major employers are entering the city.

More and more businesses are closing, and not too many big employers are hiring – that deserves a lot more attention.

Source: As reported by CompassNews, Ward 4 candidates focus on safety, roads, growth and affordability, September 12, 2026 (paragraph 18 (section 'Speaking up about problems'); paragraph 20 (section 'Speaking up about problems')). Read October 7, 2026. Media coverage reported

No published statement on this issue located for 4 candidates. Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (October 7, 2026): Iradat Ahmad, Arif Khan.

No campaign website on the City's list: Matthew Corbett, Patrick Harriott-Stewart. Indexed news coverage checked October 15, 2026: none quoting any of them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 5

Duarte Da Silva

Small-business support is another priority for Da Silva.

For all of the talk around economic development in Barrie, I hear much less about the changing landscape of small businesses that are feeling the pressures of changing markets and corporate consolidation

I would support an expansion of small-business grants coordinated with Invest Barrie.

Source: As reported by CompassNews, Ward 5 race pits experience against change, September 4, 2026 (paragraph 25; paragraph 26; paragraph 27). Read September 11, 2026. Media coverage context

Robert Thomson

✔ Development of a Regional Innovation Centre building on the success of the Sandbox Centre model

Source: thomsonward5.ca, Accomplishments page, 'Downtown Growth and Economic Development', third check item. Page. Undated; archived September 10, 2026. Official site

Ward 6

Nasar George Nader

We need to create more jobs for our future generations in the skilled trades, for first responders, teachers and nurses.

Source: As quoted in BarrieToday, Ward 6 candidate hopes to 'bring residents together' in Barrie, August 27, 2026 (paragraph 18). Read September 11, 2026. Media coverage

Christel Pena

Local businesses play an important role in creating jobs, strengthening neighbourhoods, and building a vibrant community.

I will work with local business owners to understand their challenges and identify practical solutions that support growth and success.

Source: www.votechristel.ca, 'My Vision for Ward 6' page, under 'Supporting Local Businesses', paragraph 1; 'My Vision for Ward 6' page, under 'Supporting Local Businesses', paragraph 2. Page. Undated; archived September 10, 2026. Official site

No published statement on this issue located for one candidate. Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (October 7, 2026): Nigussie Nigussie. Indexed news coverage checked October 15, 2026: none quoting them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 7

Gary Harvey

3,000 jobs created since 2022, with new industrial land driving growth

The record shows: Statistics Canada put Barrie's unemployment rate at 9.2% in April 2026, among the highest of Canada's twenty largest metropolitan areas, easing to 7.0% by July; manufacturing employment in the metropolitan area fell from 19,900 in 2023. The unemployment record.

Record 600,000 sq. ft. of industrial space added in 2025

Source: garyharvey.ca, Home page, under 'THE FIVE POINT PLAN', 'THRIVING COMMUNITY', first bullet; Home page, under 'THE FIVE POINT PLAN', 'THRIVING COMMUNITY', third bullet. Page. Undated; archived September 11, 2026. Official site

No published statement on this issue located for one candidate. No campaign website on the City's list: Michael Lewis. Indexed news coverage checked October 7, 2026: none quoting them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 8

Samina Alim

Support results-oriented investment and responsible development that creates opportunity

Source: saminaalim.ca, Home page, 'My priorities for Ward 8', under '04 Local economy & community character', first bullet. Page. Undated; archived October 7, 2026. Official site

Jim Harris

Attracting businesses and creating jobs closer to home is another priority.

Source: As reported by CompassNews, Ward 8 candidates focus on growth, safety and a changing city, September 25, 2026 (paragraph 14). Read October 7, 2026. Media coverage context
Having a diverse economy that supports a wide range of skilled and high paying jobs is important for any community. In this competitive environment Council must ensure Barrie is ready to support entrepreneurs and businesses that represent the new economy.

This includes having industrial land available to support the growth of both existing and new business.

Source: votejimforward8.ca, Key Issues page, under 'Stronger Local Economy', sentences 1-2; Key Issues page, under 'Stronger Local Economy', last sentence. Page. Undated; archived September 10, 2026. Official site

No published statement on this issue located for one candidate. Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (October 7, 2026): Amanda Fellows. Indexed news coverage checked October 15, 2026: none quoting them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 9

No published statement on this issue located for 4 candidates. Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (October 7, 2026): Norm Costello, Sergio Morales, Asmar Naveed, Dave Weingarten. Indexed news coverage checked October 15, 2026: none quoting any of them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 10

Georgy Kapustin

I also want Barrie to create more opportunities for people to build careers closer to home by supporting small businesses and attracting more professional employment.

Source: As quoted in BarrieToday, Ward 10 candidate wants more thought put into Barrie's rapid growth, September 15, 2026 (paragraph 8). Read October 7, 2026. Media coverage
Barrie should not only be a bedroom community for Toronto or a city limited mostly to warehouse and industrial jobs. The city needs stronger small business support, professional employment, and higher-quality local career opportunities so residents with specialized skills, advanced education, and career ambition can build their future here.

Attract satellite offices and professional employers. Barrie should plan designated employment areas, including future downtown office space, to attract companies that create local career opportunities.

Encourage higher-quality local employment. Barrie should grow opportunities in technology, finance, engineering, health, and trades.

Source: georgyk.com, Priorities page, under 'Small Business and Professional Employment', introductory paragraph; Priorities page, under 'Small Business and Professional Employment', third bullet; Priorities page, under 'Small Business and Professional Employment', second bullet. Page. Undated; archived September 10, 2026. Official site

No published statement on this issue located for 2 candidates. No campaign website on the City's list: William Cadeau.

Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (October 7, 2026): Bryn Hamilton. Indexed news coverage checked October 15, 2026: none quoting any of them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

School board trustees

None of the 19 trustee candidates across 7 races has a located statement on this issue; trustees do not decide it.

Their statements are on the education page, and each candidate's own page says what was checked.

Reporting on this issue

Local reporting on jobs from this site's media index, newest first: 52 stories since 2006.

A story is filed here because it is about this issue, not because it mentions it. The index was built election by election, so reporting between campaigns is thinner, and it is not complete.

October 14, 2026 Young Barrie residents say the city is hard to get around, jobs are tough to find — here's what they want to see changed Simcoe.com · By Rosemary Jaramillo
September 13, 2026 Barrie steps up push to attract defence industry investment Barrie 360 · By Ian MacLennan
May 28, 2026 Barrie unveils defence investment incentives at CANSEC Barrie 360 · By Julius Hern
October 10, 2025 Barrie sees largest month-over-month unemployment increase in Ontario Barrie 360 · By Julius Hern
April 21, 2025 Nuttall uses strong mayor powers for industrial rezoning on Lockhart BarrieToday · By Bob Bruton
April 8, 2025 Barrie mayor thanks local businesses for investing in city BarrieToday
November 9, 2024 Barrie wraps up trade mission in Germany aimed at boosting economic ties Barrie 360
June 25, 2024 City looking for financial bump from province for Sandbox Centre BarrieToday · By Bob Bruton

44 more stories

December 12, 2023 Barrie mayor calls on province for 'shovel-ready' employment land BarrieToday · By Aidan Chamandy and Charlie Pinkerton
November 13, 2023 'You'll get nothing but complaints': Barrie mayor grilled on land needs from Oro-Medonte Simcoe.com · By Janis Ramsay
November 7, 2023 Barrie mayor eyes Oro-Medonte for city employment land expansion Simcoe.com · By Janis Ramsay
November 6, 2023 Mayor presents to Standing Committee on regional governance review Barrie 360
May 9, 2023 'Thrive as we grow': Ground broken on nearly 40-acre ‘state-of-the-art’ industrial subdivision in Barrie’s south end Simcoe.com · By Chris Simon
October 11, 2022 ‘Screaming to the high heavens’: How Barrie’s mayoral candidates plan to help businesses, economy recover from COVID-19 Simcoe.com · By Chris Simon
August 18, 2022 Roads, taxes and jobs top Bray's list of concerns this election BarrieToday · By Shawn Gibson
May 31, 2022 City's economic development report card still coming, but later BarrieToday · By Bob Bruton
December 20, 2021 Barrie, Georgian College seek provincial funding to help solve manufacturing sector labour shortages Simcoe.com · By Chris Simon
December 15, 2021 Barrie mayor touts jobs and construction value at Business Progress Breakfast Simcoe.com · By Shane MacDonald
December 3, 2021 'More jobs to Barrie': Developer proposing 31 industrial units on vacant south-end land Simcoe.com · By Chris Simon
August 6, 2021 Mayor credits restaurant rebound, construction boom for dip in Barrie's jobless rate BarrieToday · By Bob Bruton
April 30, 2021 Barrie council agrees to commit more than $18 million to south-end employment land infrastructure Simcoe.com · By Chris Simon
April 28, 2021 Council approves investing almost $19M in employment land, jobs BarrieToday · By Bob Bruton
April 22, 2021 City investing in south-end employment land to bring more jobs to Barrie BarrieToday · By Bob Bruton
January 13, 2021 City waives buy-back rights for south-end industrial land BarrieToday · By Bob Bruton
October 27, 2020 Councillors cut some of downtown business centre's annual funding BarrieToday · By Bob Bruton
October 20, 2020 Councillors ready to dig deep to cover Sandbox costs BarrieToday · By Bob Bruton
October 9, 2020 ‘That’s almost nothing’: Why Barrie’s mayor says a creeping unemployment rate isn’t the city’s biggest economic issue Simcoe.com · By Chris Simon
May 8, 2020 Job losses 'fewer than feared’: Barrie’s unemployment rate 9.1 per cent, but mayor says numbers lack context Simcoe.com · By Chris Simon
January 29, 2020 Barrie’s state of the union: Mayor provides update on economy, infrastructure projects during annual luncheon Simcoe.com · By Chris Simon
January 9, 2018 Election signs and industrial land sales: Barrie council news bites from Jan. 8 Simcoe.com · By Chris Simon
December 13, 2016 Business leaders pitch 8,000-square-foot Sandbox downtown BarrieToday · By Sue Sgambati
November 29, 2016 South-Barrie deal will help Busch Systems Barrie Examiner · By Bob Bruton
January 20, 2016 Barrie mayor talks about jobs and growth at annual lunch Barrie Examiner · By Bob Bruton
October 30, 2014 Barrie must work to seek out investors Simcoe.com
October 2, 2014 Incumbent Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman plans to lean on province, feds to fulfill election wish list Simcoe.com · By Laurie Watt
December 12, 2013 Rail options vital, Barrie councillor says Simcoe.com · By Laurie Watt
November 12, 2013 Jobless rate falls in Barrie, more struggling Simcoe.com · By Laurie Watt
September 10, 2013 Population-job gap narrowing in Barrie: Lehman Simcoe.com · By Laurie Watt
May 2, 2013 Barrie mayor tells business leaders city needs a vision Simcoe.com
May 2, 2013 We shouldn?t take pride in attracting call centres Simcoe.com
November 14, 2012 City faces tough challenges and choices ahead Simcoe.com
October 30, 2012 Barrie aims for piece of China pie Simcoe.com · By Laurie Watt
August 7, 2012 Barrie gets moving on ways to get jobs Simcoe.com · By Laurie Watt
June 26, 2012 China trip unwarranted Simcoe.com
June 20, 2012 Ideas flow from biz community Simcoe.com · By Laurie Watt
June 19, 2012 Barrie mayor off to China Simcoe.com · By Laurie Watt
April 13, 2012 Mayor's breakfast all about business Simcoe.com · By Laurie Watt
October 6, 2011 Unemployment rate concerns mayor Simcoe.com · By Janis Ramsay
October 1, 2009 Rezoning would help connect Bryne Drive Simcoe.com
January 25, 2008 City council eyes easing development fees Simcoe.com
December 13, 2007 City’s business ambassadors back on the job Simcoe.com
November 8, 2006 Downtown, taxes, jobs and growth - Rob Hamilton Simcoe.com

Boards and committees on this issue

Appointed bodies whose work bears on this issue, with everyone this site has on record as serving on them:

Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce — 4 people on record
Investment Board — 3 people on record
Regional Innovation Board — 2 people on record
transition board of the Regional Innovation Centre — 1 person on record
Sandbox Board of Directors — 2 people on record
Tourism Barrie — 2 people on record
Tourism Working Group — 1 person on record

Common questions

What is the unemployment rate in Barrie?

The Labour Force Survey's series for the Barrie metropolitan area (three-month moving average, seasonally adjusted) reached 9.2% in April 2026 and eased to 7.0% by July 2026. In March 2026 Statistics Canada named Barrie among the five highest rates of Canada's twenty largest metropolitan areas.

What are the biggest industries in Barrie?

By the 2021 census, the biggest employers of Barrie residents were health care and social assistance (10,585 people), retail trade (10,410), manufacturing (8,705), construction (7,385) and educational services (5,365).

Is manufacturing declining in Barrie?

The annual survey shows manufacturing employment in the metropolitan area falling from 19,900 (2023) to 12,600 (2025) — a drop of more than a third, the largest move of any industry. Small-area annual estimates are noisy; the direction is the claim, not the last digit.