Op-ed / Rant

It’s not every day that ground is broken on something as transformative as Barrie’s new YMCA. This isn’t just a building—it’s a promise, a vision, and a sanctuary for the diverse, vibrant community of Simcoe County. Last week, the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka officially began construction on its highly anticipated facility at 535 Bayview Drive. Set […]

There’s something oddly comforting about a spring sky in Barrie, Ontario. It’s not the sunshine bursting through; it’s that thick, grey blanket of clouds that feels like an old friend dropping by for coffee—uninvited but somehow welcome. Barrie’s spring weather doesn’t just flirt with clouds; it commits to them. This season, we’re looking at a

The icy atmosphere of the rink might be familiar to Canadian figure skating fans, but the challenges our athletes face ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina are as steep as a triple axel. Canada’s figure skating program, celebrated for its storied past and world-class talent, now finds itself at a crossroads. At the

Illegal short-term rentals have long disrupted communities, but Oro-Medonte is saying enough is enough. With a comprehensive plan in motion, the township aims to wrest control back from rogue operators. The serene township of Oro-Medonte, known for its picturesque landscapes and tight-knit community spirit, has found itself battling a modern menace: illegal short-term rentals (STRs).

Call it a Canadian ritual—checking the weather with the same reverence as a hockey game. March 27th in Barrie brings a forecast that even Bob and Doug McKenzie might raise a toast to, eh? “Beauty, eh?” might be their reaction to this rollercoaster day. It kicks off mild with highs reaching 9°C (or 49°F for

The Scotiabank Arena buzzed with electric energy on Tuesday night, as the Toronto Maple Leafs delivered a resounding 7-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. At the heart of this commanding performance was none other than team captain John Tavares, who perfectly embodied the grit and composure that define this team. John Tavares, a player whose

Let’s face it—municipal politics rarely make for gripping dinner-table conversation, but Barrie’s 2024 financial report manages to serve up enough intrigue and eyebrow-raising figures to keep us all entertained. From hefty salaries to expenses that would make even the savviest accountant pause, let’s dive into the numbers and what they reveal about the cost of

Retirement often feels like a horizon — distant and abstract, until it arrives, often with a flurry of financial concerns. For seniors in Barrie, Ontario, recent proposals from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre aim to reshape that horizon, offering a suite of measures designed to ease financial pressures in the golden years. Poilievre’s proposals, unveiled during

Political turbulence south of the border isn’t just fodder for late-night talk shows—it’s reshaping travel trends in profound and unexpected ways. When political storms brew in the United States, the ripple effects often reach far and wide. For some Americans, this unrest has sparked a desire to escape, even if just temporarily, to a place