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Simcoe County Council seeks input on aging strategy, acquires modular facility for homeless

July 10, 2025   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

County of Simcoe Council has reported highlights from proceedings in June 10 and 24 meetings.

Age-Friendly Community & Positive Aging updates

The County has launched the 2025-30 Simcoe County Positive Aging Strategy that was shaped by the latest community needs assessment which gathered insights from over 2,500 residents and ten focus groups.

Key priorities identified include accessibility, transportation, information and communication access.

As part of this initiative, the County launched the Age-Friendly Activity Calendar in June 2025.

This centralized hub connects residents with local events and programs that promote social inclusion and community engagement.

County response to proposed provincial blue box regulation amendments

The County is responding to proposed changes to Ontario’s Blue Box Regulation and the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act that could impact recycling services.

Key amendments include allowing municipalities to fund recycling for small businesses, removing planned program expansions, and adjusting recovery targets.

Staff recommend entering a one-year agreement with Circular Materials Ontario in 2026 to maintain small business recycling during the transition, pending legislative approval.

Acquisition of a modular facility for unsheltered homelessness response

The County is acquiring a 40-bedroom modular facility in Barrie for up to $1.2 million to support unsheltered individuals, funded through federal, provincial, and reserve sources.

The facility will aid in encampment response and housing programs aligned with national homelessness reduction goals.

HART of Simcoe County officially launches

The Hart of Simcoe County, launched on June 26, 2025, is a new regional program supporting individuals facing homelessness and addiction.

Through a network of care teams and mobile outreach, it offers person-centred, low-barrier access to health, housing, and social services across Barrie and surrounding communities, including Indigenous-specific support.

Simcoe County Museum Digital Strategy

The Simcoe County Museum’s Digital Strategy, developed in response to the Ministry’s 2025-2026 Community Museum Operating Grant requirements, outlines a five-year roadmap to enhance the museum’s digital capabilities and public access.

IT sets out five strategic goals: expanding online learning, modernizing visitor services, increasing digital visibility, digitizing collections, and measuring impact.

Most initiatives are low-cost and will be phased into future budgets, with a digital sing proposed for 2027.

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