Barrie will get more provincial cash: Wynne

By Laurie Watt Barrie Advance August 13 2014
Ontario will not sideline Barrie as the province examines transportation infrastructure upgrades, post-secondary investments and seeks to address the skills gap, Premier Kathleen Wynne told The Advance last week.

On a tour focusing on creating jobs and building regional economies, Wynne acknowledged Barrie’s role as Central Ontario’s economic engine.
“Absolutely Barrie will feel the effect of our investment,” said Wynne, although the riding no longer has a seat on the government benches, let alone a cabinet minister.
In Ontario’s Places to Grow plan, Barrie is the regional economic hub of Simcoe County and the only urban growth centre north of the GTA.
“I’m acutely aware of Barrie. It’s such an important part of the province and because of its growth, there are lots of opportunities here,” said Wynne.
But this year, transportation investment discussions have been focused on the Toronto area, while Barrie struggles to upgrade interchanges and widen highway.
At the same time, city leaders seek to address an education and skills gap.
“We’ve invested about $2 billion a year in provincial roads and bridges. That kind of investment will continue. We know that kind of infrastructure needs to be upgraded,” she said.
“There have been a lot of investments in infrastructure along the 400. All-day, two-way GO service is one.”
Provincial investment in the $42-million interchange upgrade at Duckworth Street, however, was capped at $19 million, Barrie officials noted.
And there’s a need for $30 million in upgrades at every interchange, as well as possibly two additional ones: one at Big Bay Point/Harvie roads, the other at McKay Road. Both would ease south-end traffic jams, especially serving businesses in the area that rely on just-in-time delivery.
“When we announced the growth (plan), I was so aware of how important that transportation corridor is,” said the premier, who has also served as municipal affairs, transportation and education minister.
Wynne added Barrie keeps coming up as Ontario considers where three new university campuses will be located.
“There’s a conversation going on with the ministry right now. The decision of the placement of these campuses has to be based in the context of demographics and the academic fields that would point to the best decisions for post-secondary education.
“Having said that, Barrie is making a very strong case.”
Barrie is highlighting its relatively young population, the fact the city is in the centre of 750,000 people and has fewer people with degrees than the provincial average. Barrie is advocating for a diverse educational hub for the Barrie Central site.
“I hear the point about the skills gap in Barrie and I understand that. In the whole province, we have people without jobs and jobs without people and we have to match that up. We will continue to work with Barrie and the other sites,” Wynne said.