Barrie stalling: Innisfil mayor

Barrie stalling: Innisfil mayor


Talks between Innisfil and Barrie regarding boundary adjustments and servicing issues have ceased because of "stalling tactics" on the part of Barrie council, says Innisfil Mayor Brian Jackson.

Barrie council passed a resolution Monday night stating it wants clear direction from the province about phosphorous loading limits of Lake Simcoe and more information about membrane technology before it returns to the negotiating table.

"It's a very sad day for Innisfil, Barrie and the county," Jackson said yesterday.
"It's a stalling tactic from their end."

Jackson said raising technical issues at this point in the process is premature until the fundamental elements of an arrangement providing long-term benefits to the city, Innisfil and the county are ironed out between the parties.

After talks broke down earlier this month, provincial development facilitator Alan Wells invited the parties back to the table to resume negotiations on accommodating population growth and future servicing issues on lands adjacent to Barrie.

He said discussions should proceed "in an open and transparent manner" so that both sides will be aware of the details. Wells is currently on vacation, and was not available for comment yesterday. Jackson said Innisfil's proposal would create 25,000 new jobs for city residents and the proposed new employment area in Barrie would generate nearly $8 million in annual economic benefits as a whole, with opportunities in Innisfil.

He would not offer further details of the town's proposal to Barrie. Barrie Coun. Mike Ramsay has been taking part in the talks and has said the city needs about 2,470 acres of land to expand its residential/industrial tax assessment ratio.

"Barrie seems to be under the false impression that a solution imposed by the province would be better," he said. "I know that the province wants us to negotiate our own solution because that's what's in the best interest of both our municipalities."