Long-time councillor Barry Ward officially launches mayoral campaign
The mayoral race in Barrie is heating up as the city's longest-serving councillor opened up his campaign office for mayor Sunday.
Ward 4 councillor and deputy mayor Barry Ward officially kicked off his campaign. Ward, who has served on council since 2000, is now angling for the top job as current mayor Jeff Lehman is not seeking re-election.
"I think I've got the experience. Over the years, I think I've earned the respect of other councillors because I don't judge them. I don't preform my opinions of them. I'll see what they bring," says Ward. "I'm willing to listen to what their concerns are; I'm willing to learn about the best path forward and then lead with their help."
Ward puts addressing the affordable housing crisis at the top of his agenda. However, while acknowledging more roads need to be improved, and city hall services can always be expanded, he believes the city is currently on the right path.
"I think we have made a lot of improvements, and let's just continue on that path," says Ward. "People don't want their lives disrupted. Basically, people want to live their lives without any hassle from city hall, and that's what I'm hoping to give them."
Ward is one of several candidates running for mayor. The race includes two-term councillor Mike McCann, former Penetanguishene mayor Gerry Marshall, and former MP and city councillor Alex Nuttall amongst other newcomers.
"I think I can get people to work together, says Ward. "I think I'm the one that can work with diverse groups on council, people from the left, people from the right, people with various backgrounds; I think I've shown that I can work with them all."
The city, which currently has a population estimated at 150,000, is expected to nearly double in size to just shy of 300,000 over the next 20 years, says Ward. The growth of the city is also something that is on his radar.
"We've really got to be careful that growth doesn't have too much of an impact on people's lives," says Ward. "It's going to have an impact; there's going to be more traffic on our streets, there's going to be bigger buildings, but the important thing is to preserve the way of life for residents there as much as possible."
The municipal election will be held on October 24.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
"It's a bit of a complicated pattern; we've got a lot going on," said Jennifer Smith of the Meteorological Service of Canada in an interview with CTVNews.ca on Wednesday. "[As is] typical with weather, all of these things are related."
Boeing's financial woes continue, while families of crash victims urge U.S. to prosecute the company
Boeing said Wednesday that it lost US$355 million on falling revenue in the first quarter, another sign of the crisis gripping the aircraft manufacturer as it faces increasing scrutiny over the safety of its planes and accusations of shoddy work from a growing number of whistleblowers.
Police tangle with students in Texas and California as wave of campus protest against Gaza war grows
Police tangled with student demonstrators in Texas and California while new encampments sprouted Wednesday at Harvard and other colleges as school leaders sought ways to defuse a growing wave of pro-Palestinian protests.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.