Update from MP Doug Shipley
As your federal Member of Parliament, I work to keep you informed on what the federal government is up to in Ottawa. While I am always happy to answer your questions about policy, a significant part of my job is to help constituents navigate federal government programs and services.
My team and I are happy to greet in person visitors and answer phone calls and emails Monday to Friday in my local office. You can find us at 48 Alliance Boulevard Suite 104 in Barrie. You can also reach us by telephone at 705-728-2596.
We can assist with the following matters:
- Passports
- Canada Revenue Agency Inquiries
- Employment Insurance
- Canada Pension Plan and Canada Pension Plan Disability
- OAS and the Guaranteed Income Supplement
- Immigration Refugee Citizenship Canada inquiries
- Any other federal matters
How we can help is determined on a case-by-case basis, so the best thing to do is contact my office by telephone or email and discuss your specific situation. Then we can let you know what steps we might be able to take to assist you.
When contacting my office, you will often reach one of my knowledgeable team members as I am juggling responsibilities both here in Barrie – Springwater – Oro-Medonte and in Ottawa. If you would like to reach me directly to share your concerns around policy, legislation or government service the fastest way to connect with me is by sending an email to Doug.Shipley@parl.gc.ca
With the various demands on my time every day I may not be able to respond immediately. I do review all emails and if I think that you will be best served by a direct conversation with a member of my team then I will ask them to follow up. Otherwise, you will receive a response from me.
‘Deeply honoured’: Springwater library chair wins provincial award
By: Wayne Doyle, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Source: BarrieToday.com, Jan 31, 2025
The award-winning Springwater Public Library has earned yet another feather in its cap.
Adrian Graham, chair of the library’s board, was awarded the James Bain Medallion at the Ontario Public Library Association’s Super Conference Awards Gala last night in Toronto.
The medallion is awarded to a library board member who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in governing a public library in Ontario and is named in recognition of the Ontario Library Association’s first president, who was also the chief librarian of the Toronto Public Library.
“I am deeply honoured and humbled being named the recipient of the James Bain Medallion,” Graham said in an email to BarrieToday. “This recognition is not only a reflection of my individual efforts, but also the hard work and dedication of the entire library board with whom I have had the privilege of working.
“We do everything as a team,” he added.
Graham was nominated for the award by Jodie Delgado, the library’s chief executive officer.
According to the nomination criteria, Graham had to demonstrate significant contributions to at least two of the following categories:
Cohesive leadership in library governance resulting in an effective and responsible library board
Significant accomplishments toward the advancement of library services and the development and implementation of sound policies
Strong advocacy for the significance and importance of the library’s role in community development and for strengthening the image of the library as a contributor to the economic and cultural development of the city, town or county
Awareness of the changing needs of the community and evidence of community partnerships
Good judgment in implementing ideas which have increased service delivery and efficiency
Ability to motivate, inspire and influence civic or provincial leaders to ensure that the library meets the informational, educational and recreational needs of all citizens with adequate financial support
Awareness and vision of innovations and opportunities available within the library sector to meet the needs of their future patrons.
“Adrian fulfilled multiple categories the past year,” Delgado said. “Under his leadership, the board adopted a new strategic plan and financial control was transferred to the board.”
Additionally, Graham has been involved in growing the Friends of the Library group, negotiating the library’s first collective agreement with its newly unionized employees and reviewing the results of a community survey.
While the volume of work has increased for Graham and his fellow board members, he believes it’s well worth the extra effort as it’s improving library services for residents who, Graham admits, can be quite adamant about their needs.
“Our community members were very vocal that they love our library system and staff,” Graham said of the survey. “In a growing community, they also made it clear that they want increased hours, upgraded facilities, more space, more staff, and more resources.
Graham said the library will now focus on the four priorities that have been identified in its strategic plan:
Infrastructure and facilities
Responsible governance and fiscal responsibility
Connection to community
Planning for and managing growth.
“Everything we do moving forward will be tied to these four priorities,” he said. “A good example is planning for the library section of the new community hub. That’s exciting work.”
Delgado described Graham as a calming voice at the board table, a strategic thinker who sees the big picture and makes decisions based on data.
“He embodies the values of equality for all and freedom of speech and is concerned about the library’s standing in the community,” Delgado said. “He is aware of our changing community and how that will impact library services.”
According to Delgado, the award, even though it’s for one member, demonstrates the high level of expertise and knowledge the board provides.
Graham agreed.
“As a board, our goal has been to ensure that our library system remains independent of local politics, is recognized and treated as an independent corporation and is accessible, inclusive and an innovative space for all members of our community,” he said. “I believe that winning this award recognizes and substantiates our efforts at a provincial level.”
Springwater councillors back ‘in-house solution’ amid boundary talks
By: Wayne Doyle, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Source: BarrieToday.com, Feb 06, 2025
Springwater Township council has thrown its unanimous support behind an “in-house solution” for growth, and is prepared to update and expand its Official Plan to make it happen.
At Wednesday night’s meeting, township council backed a motion introduced by Coun. Anita Moore that would have staff investigate what would be needed to consider an expansion of the Midhurst Secondary Plan area to the east of Midhurst to include the Highway 400 corridor.
She said the joint land-needs assessment and study that was done by Hemson Consulting as part of the City of Barrie’s boundary expansion proposal confirmed that Barrie and Springwater are part of the same regional market, and that housing growth in Springwater’s Midhurst Secondary Plan area “may necessitate the expedited designation of employment lands” to maintain balanced community development.
“All of the objectives of the joint land-needs analysis and study can be achieved if Springwater, rather than Barrie, were to approve the proposed annexation land for both residential and employment purposes,” Moore said.
The councillor explained that, under the new Provincial Planning Statement (PPS), a policy document outlining how Ontario will use and develop its land, “major transit station areas have a new section policy and councils can set targets for those areas and protections for those high transportation corridors,” identifying “strategic sites” for investment, as well as pushing for intensification of employment uses.
“We are protecting employment areas near major goods movement facilities and corridors while protecting settlement areas for housing,” she said.
According to Moore, the PPS gives Springwater council the authority to expand settlement area boundaries.
“Specifically, planning authorities, which is what a council would be considered, are to identify strategic growth areas and make them the focus of growth and development with a view to accommodate significant population and employment growth,” she said.
“Councils are to assess and update employment areas and official plans to ensure the designation is appropriate to the planned function of those areas,” Moore added. 
To that end, township council directed staff to:
Report back to council with information regarding the planning process necessary to consider an expansion of the Midhurst Secondary Plan area specifically to the east of Midhurst to include the Highway 400 corridor
Report back regarding the provincially significant employment zones
Report back with the confirmed capacity of the ultimate treatment facility to verify Springwater’s ability to independently service the identified study area and the potential settlement area expansion
Report back with an update on the status of the Growth Management Study that is currently underway
Prioritize and expedite the initial focus of the study to include the Midhurst settlement area expansion over to Highway 400
Return the report no later than June 2025.
Moore’s motion was praised by her fellow councillors.
“Moving forward in this direction gives us the opportunity for Springwater to look at developing both residential and employment lands in line with the province’s mandate,” said Coun. Danielle Alexander. “It allows us to do it ourselves as opposed to having Barrie annex the lands and do it for us.
“It puts us in a place where we can go down that road and do this work ourselves,” she added.
Coun. Phil Fisher said he found the motion “very innovative” and was thrilled that council was forging ahead.
“I think the motion speaks for itself,” he said. “I think many of us have long since thought that Springwater needs to find an in-house solution, a solution for ourselves.
“I think it has amazing potential for not only future growth but future employment,” Fisher added.
According to Doug Herron, Springwater’s interim chief administrative officer and director of planning and development, Moore’s motion is about realizing the growth potential of the township.
“This discussion tonight is largely related to where are we going to grow,” Herron said following council’s decision. “Where are we going to exercise growth?
“We’re going to try and investigate other opportunities where Springwater can basically hold its own fate in its own hands.”