Op-ed / Rant

The allure of European islands has long enchanted travellers, but the misconception that these escapes demand a fortune often keeps prospective visitors at bay. For Canadians, particularly those dreaming of a journey ‘From Barrie to Europe,’ there lies a treasure trove of affordable island experiences waiting to be uncovered. Take Crete, a Greek island of […]

Barrie’s ice storm didn’t just glaze the city in a glistening sheen of ice—it froze daily life in its tracks, leaving residents grappling with power outages, fallen branches, and disrupted routines. This past weekend, Barrie residents faced one of the harshest ice storms in recent memory, a storm so fierce it left entire neighbourhoods without

The corridors of the University of California, San Francisco’s renowned medical centre were set to welcome a new leader this year — Ottawa’s celebrated cardiac surgeon Marc Ruel — until geopolitics intervened. In a decision that has captured headlines, Ruel declined the prestigious role to remain in Canada. His reasoning? Patriotism. “Canada is under duress

A quiet Saturday morning in Simcoe County turned into a harrowing spectacle of nature’s raw power as a relentless ice storm swept through the region, leaving tens of thousands without power and disrupting life as residents knew it. On March 30, 2025, the storm’s impact was immediate and overwhelming. Roads were blocked by fallen branches

Bali’s bustling beaches might be the headline act, but the unsung verses of Indonesia’s hidden gems are where the real magic lies. For families venturing from Barrie, Ontario, these treasures offer an unmatched blend of adventure, serenity, and safety. Imagine stepping away from the overrun tourist tracks to explore spots untouched by the chaos of

If your meals could talk, they’d probably beg for a trip to Popeyes. Thankfully, the Louisiana-born fried chicken chain is about to bring its unmistakable flavours straight to your pantry. From March 15, the beloved Popeyes sauces Blackened Ranch and Sweet Heat are making their much-anticipated debut in grocery stores across Canada. Fans of bold

The concept of being middle class once came with a promise: security, opportunity, and the chance to build a better life. Yet, in communities like Barrie, Ontario, that promise seems to be slipping through the cracks of rising rents, stagnant wages, and an increasingly elusive housing market. For decades, the Canadian middle class symbolized stability—a

The spring real estate season always brings excitement and a tinge of uncertainty, and in Simcoe County, 2025 is no exception. With a market that balances the good, the bad, and the ugly, buyers and sellers alike are navigating shifting trends. This past February, the Simcoe County real estate market saw a slight decline in

Ontario’s Sunshine List—a symbol of transparency for public sector salaries—has ballooned into controversy, with experts questioning its relevance in today’s economic climate. When it was introduced in 1996, Ontario’s Sunshine List set out to expose and scrutinize public sector salaries exceeding $100,000. Back then, such a figure represented a mark of affluence, a salary worthy

As freezing rain threatens to blanket Barrie in ice, local businesses must act swiftly to protect their operations and ensure safety during severe weather conditions. Winter is no stranger to Barrie, but the spring season brings an icy reminder of the havoc storms can wreak. With forecasts predicting up to 10 millimetres of ice accumulation,