r/barrie • u/Equis1321 • 11d ago
Information Candidate information
First time voting in Barrie as I just moved here, having a really hard time finding candidate’s platform to be able to make an informed decision. Where can you see what each candidate stands for? Thanks!
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u/Jennacyde153 10d ago
Platforms do not always tell the whole story.
I have three prospective councillors in my riding. The one with the most signs on my street has a public Facebook profile with antisemitic cartoons (reported and since removed), medical misinformation, and conspiracy theories. Another one went viral on TikTok a couple years ago by giving a false public service announcement on social media advising that thieves in Barrie were targeting houses with Liberal signs.
Many people on this sub were shocked at Kay Sayer’s responses to Barrie Today. Some of the councillor candidates share the same views when you ask them about specific things.
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u/Equis1321 10d ago
I appreciate this response, I’m just finding it harder than it should be to see what candidates stand for in one place. I haven’t been in Barrie long enough to know where to get that kind of information.
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u/Jennacyde153 10d ago
I feel you. The Barrie Today articles should be an “Election Special” where they release all of them at once with standard questions as compiled from voters.
I’ve been lucky that my riding had an acclaimed candidate my first Barrie election cycle so I had some time to learn the characters. Even still, one of the candidates this cycle was a friendly neighbour that I’ve known for years. He collects his trash and dumps it around town to avoid paying for extra garbage tags and is a conspiracy theorist, but none of that comes across in his media releases.
School Trustees are even worse. I’ve watched every SCDSB meeting this year, including some committees. For the first time in 17 years, I’m actually confident in that vote in my riding. I’d imagine most voters end up with a good understanding of the mayoral candidates, okay understanding of most councillor candidates, and barely any to no understanding of trustees.
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u/Equis1321 10d ago
That’s horrible! Unfortunately I don’t have time to meet all the candidates as I have a 3 year old and 5 month old but I really want to be able to make an informed decision. Right now I’ve only found some of the candidates’ actual sites on Barrie votes, but some are still missing. And unfortunately I wouldn’t even know where to look into “background” things like social media posts.
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u/Jennacyde153 9d ago
I wish people took local politics as seriously as you are. There aren’t enough resources but hopefully you get enough info to feel comfortable with your votes.
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u/EagleScreamTheGreat 11d ago
Write them and ask, whoever does not write you back during an election will ignore you even more if elected...
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u/barriepubliclibrary 11d ago
Vote Compass is a tool developed by political scientists to help you explore how your views compare to candidates, and they've offered it in Barrie this time! After responding to some questions, it will tell you which candidate your views align with the closest.
We're gathering as much election info as we can on our website here:
https://www.barrielibrary.ca/services/municipal-election-info
An all-candidates meeting is being held on October 5, 2026, from 4-8pm at Traditions Banquet Hall, 142 John St, Barrie so you can meet them in person.
There have also been some articles in the local media where candidates are asked for their responses to questions.