What does an upstart wrestling promotion do in the wake of its first successful event We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentThat’s easy – host another bigger, wilder, and more chaotic than the last.   Promoter Adam Martin is doing just that as he brings Norfolk County Championship Wrestling’s (NCCW) Stomping Grounds 2 to Simcoe on May 11.   Almost 12 months ago to the day of their maiden voyage, the NCCW is looking to pack the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 79 for an afternoon of fast-paced, high-flying family fun.   “With it being our one-year anniversary event, it felt right to come back to Simcoe and kick off 2025 with a bang,” Martin said.   “It will be licensed, but we do have all ages availability because we want this to be family-oriented. We don’t want anyone to feel excluded. On a Sunday afternoon, there’s nothing better than to come out for a couple of hours and enjoy economical entertainment.”   The card is jam-packed with the region’s rising stars like the tag team of Luke Kaiden and Robbie Hollywood, Jay Blast, ‘The Wanderer” Wade Allen vs. a mystery opponent and the main event of NCCW heavyweight champ Hayden Backlund of Buffalo taking on ‘The Brantford Bandit’, Pretty Ricky Willdy.   “We try to showcase a lot of younger talent,” said Martin. “We give them an opportunity to feel comfortable on our stage to prepare them for the future.”   Growing up in Norfolk County, Martin got hooked on wrestling at a young age thanks to the likes of ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.  He cherishes the opportunity to bring the same excitement he felt to local audiences without breaking the bank.   “This just gives an outlet for them to get out and enjoy something they truly love,” he said. “It’s hard to get to the bigger stadiums like in Toronto and paying all that money for a family – parking costs more than a ticket for one of our events. It feels great to look around throughout the audience and see the enjoyment on everyone’s faces, especially the kids who may have never been able to experience it live.”   Thanks to promotions such as WWE, All Elite Wrestling (AEW), Total Nonstop Action (TNA), Ring of Honour (ROH), New Japan (NJPW) and others, one could argue that professional wrestling is experiencing a renaissance that is crossing over with popular culture for the first time in two decades. The WWE and AEW are both producing three shows per week. In 2024, WWE’s parent company TKO reported its profits were almost $1.4 billion.   That’s been great news for everyone involved in the business.   “Within the last 10 years there’s a flux of talent, a flux in opportunity with promotions which benefits everybody – it always starts from the top and trickles down,” said Martin.   “It creates a canvas for these artists to paint their picture and tell their story, which benefits everybody in a positive way.”   Tickets for the event, which runs 2-5 p.m., can be found online by searching Stomping Grounds 2 or NCCW on eventbrite.ca or in person at Max Convenience (21 Colborne St. S) or 1 Stop Cannabis (36 Norfolk St.).  transmission or republication strictly prohibited This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Sign in Join now, it's FREE! OrilliaMatters welcomes letters to the editor at [email protected] or via the website daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship The health of Lake Simcoe is at serious risk from the proposed annexation of land from Oro-Medonte for industrial development by the City of Barrie along with a range of other environmental and community concerns At the Barrie Ward 1 town hall meeting Tuesday, residents heard Mayor Alex Nuttall’s justification for placing industry along Penetanguishene Road citing the proximity of a pumping station and wastewater pipes at the east end of Grove Street While I understand that economic growth is important this annexation threatens to cause lasting harm to one of our region’s most valuable natural resources and to the well-being of our community This proposed annexed land of Oro-Medonte drains directly into the Lake Simcoe watershed which is already under pressure from nutrient pollution Adding industrial operations pushed by Mayor Nuttall — especially if they involve industry or manufacturing — would mean adding phosphate discharge a key contributor to algae blooms and declining water quality Barrie’s wastewater facility is advanced and has been upgraded recently but it wasn’t designed to handle heavy unplanned industrial discharge from annexed land connecting new infrastructure and enforcing strict pre-treatment requirements will be costly to taxpayers and difficult to guarantee Let’s not forget: The Lake Simcoe Protection Plan was put in place to prevent exactly this kind of expansion smarter land use and environmental restraint — not industrial sprawl into previously rural buffer zones Barrie should focus on sustainable development within its existing footprint in particular their south-end annexed lands from Innisfil Annexation of active farmland in Oro-Medonte for industrial use is a short-sighted move that risks long-term environmental degradation and undermines the commitments we’ve made to protect Lake Simcoe More Spotlight > These highway closures are scheduled for short-term or emergency repairs and maintenance Plan your trip before you’re in your car — 71 closures are scheduled for roadwork on provincial highways in Simcoe on May 5 Highway 400 northbound off-ramp at Highway 12 North Jct Tay: all lanes closed from May 7 at 10 p.m Highway 400 southbound between Severn River Bridge Springwater: one right lane closed from May 4 at 7 p.m Highway 93 southbound between Highway 12 / Angela Schmidt Foster Road Springwater: one right lane closed from May 4 at 8 p.m Highway 89 westbound between Highway 400 and Mono-adjala Townline Road Essa: one alternating lane closed from May 5 at 9 a.m Highway 400 northbound between Highway 11 Jct Tay: one right lane closed from May 4 at 7 p.m Highway 400 northbound between 5th Line and 9th Concession Bradford: two alternating lanes closed from April 22 at 7 p.m Highway 12 northbound between Harvey Settlement Road / Fairgrounds Road Oro Medonte and Highway 93 / Simcoe Road 93 Midland: one alternating lane closed from May 4 at 8 p.m Springwater: one alternating lane closed from May 20 at 8 p.m Springwater: one alternating lane closed from May 11 at 7 p.m Highway 400 northbound on-ramp at Canal Road Bradford: all lanes closed from June 10 at 12 a.m Highway 11 northbound between Line 14 and Line 15 / Memorial Avenue / Simcoe Road 49 Oro Medonte: one right lane closed from April 27 at 8 p.m Highway 400 southbound on-ramp at Canal Road Tay: one alternating lane closed from May 11 at 7 p.m Highway 11 southbound between Severn River Bridge / West Branch Oro Medonte: one right lane closed from May 4 at 8 p.m Highway 400 southbound between 9th Concession and 5th Line Bradford: two alternating lanes closed from April 22 at 6 p.m Clearview: one alternating lane closed from May 4 at 8 p.m Barrie: one right lane closed from May 4 at 10 p.m Highway 12 southbound between Highway 93 / Simcoe Road 93 Midland and Harvey Settlement Road / Fairgrounds Road Oro Medonte: one alternating lane closed from May 5 at 9 a.m Oro Medonte: one alternating lane closed from May 11 at 8 p.m Essa: one alternating lane closed from May 11 at 7 p.m Springwater and Highway 12 / Angela Schmidt Foster Road Tay: one alternating lane closed from May 4 at 8 p.m Highway 26 eastbound between Lakeview Avenue Springwater: one alternating lane closed from May 11 at 8 p.m Highway 400 northbound off-ramp at Canal Road Midland: one alternating lane closed from May 11 at 8 p.m Barrie: one alternating lane closed from May 20 at 8 p.m Barrie: one alternating lane closed from May 11 at 10 p.m Highway 26 eastbound between Poplar Sideroad Springwater: one alternating lane closed from May 5 at 9 a.m Tay: one right lane closed from May 8 at 9 a.m Highway 400 southbound between Innisfil Beach Road - Simcoe Road 21 and Innisfil Beach Road - Simcoe Road 21 Innisfil: two right lanes closed from May 7 at 10 p.m Essa: one alternating lane closed from May 20 at 7 p.m Essa: one right lane closed from May 4 at 7 p.m Highway 400 southbound between Highway 11 Jct Barrie: one right lane closed from May 4 at 8 p.m Bradford: two alternating lanes closed from May 6 at 6 p.m Tay: one alternating lane closed from May 20 at 8 p.m Bradford: two alternating lanes closed from May 6 at 7 p.m Highway 400 northbound between 5th Line and 11th Concession Bradford: two left lanes closed from May 11 at 10 p.m Highway 12 southbound between Harvey Settlement Road / Fairgrounds Road Orillia: one alternating lane closed from May 20 at 10 p.m Springwater: one alternating lane closed from May 20 at 7 p.m Midland: one alternating lane closed from May 5 at 9 a.m Highway 400 southbound between Quarry Road / Simcoe 59 and Highway 12 North Jct Tay: one left lane closed from April 26 at 7 a.m Springwater: one alternating lane closed from May 4 at 8 p.m Tay: one alternating lane closed from May 20 at 7 p.m Orillia: one alternating lane closed from May 11 at 10 p.m Barrie: one alternating lane closed from May 11 at 8 p.m Clearview: one alternating lane closed from May 5 at 9 a.m Tay: one alternating lane closed from May 5 at 9 a.m Orillia: one alternating lane closed from May 4 at 10 p.m Highway 12 southbound between Highway 400 and Highway 400 Oro Medonte: one right lane closed from May 5 at 9 a.m Oro Medonte: one alternating lane closed from May 4 at 8 p.m Highway 400 southbound off-ramp at Canal Road Oro Medonte and Severn River Bridge / West Branch Severn: one right lane closed from May 4 at 8 p.m Severn: one alternating lane closed from May 20 at 8 p.m Tay: one alternating lane closed from May 11 at 8 p.m Clearview: one alternating lane closed from May 20 at 8 p.m Barrie: one alternating lane closed from May 20 at 10 p.m Highway 12 northbound between Durham Road 50 Orillia: one alternating lane closed from May 5 at 9 a.m Orillia: one right lane closed from May 5 at 9 a.m Oro Medonte: one alternating lane closed from May 20 at 8 p.m Highway 400 southbound between Highway 12 North Junction and Highway 12 North Jct Tay: one right lane closed from May 7 at 10 p.m Severn: one alternating lane closed from May 11 at 8 p.m Highway 9 westbound between Coolihans Sideroad and Connor Road / Concession Road 3 Caledon: all lanes closed from May 5 at 12 a.m Midland: one alternating lane closed from May 20 at 8 p.m Clearview: one alternating lane closed from May 11 at 8 p.m Have further to travel? Find scheduled highway closures outside Simcoe This story was automatically generated using open data from Ontario 511 The closures are scheduled by the Ministry of Transportation for short-term or emergency repairs and maintenance The disruptions may be intermittent or ongoing and can change due to weather The Torstar Open Data Team produces articles using data and automation beach water quality reports and election results The team is Lucas Timmons and Cody Gault with support from the Star and Metroland’s editorial and technical teams Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account BarrieNewsSimcoe Muskoka Votes: Here are the federal election results By Kim PhillipsUpdated: April 29 Federal election roundup: Local winners reaction ADVERTISEMENT Twitter feed ©2025 BellMedia All Rights Reserved You will also start receiving the Star's free morning newsletter Simcoe—Grey 2025 federal election live results. Browse live results for all 343 ridings 221 of 221 polls are reporting as of 4:21 p.m. Follow our full coverage of the 2025 federal election 221 of 221 polls are reporting as of 4:21 p.m. Follow our full coverage of the 2025 federal election is projected to be re-elected in Simcoe—Grey Dowdall has 35,385 of 68,433 votes (51.71%) is in second place with 29,931 votes (43.74%) and Jasleen Bains Dowdall has represented the riding since 2019 29,777 voters cast ballots at advance polls Looking for another riding? Here are the full results for the 2025 federal election. The Liberals have 169 races called in their favour They have 8,535,128 votes and 43.69 per cent of the popular vote The Conservatives have 144 races called in their favour They have 8,059,938 votes and 41.26 per cent of the popular vote The Bloc Québécois have 22 races called in their favour They have 1,232,095 votes and 6.31 per cent of the popular vote The New Democrats have seven races called in their favour They have 1,231,198 votes and 6.3 per cent of the popular vote The Greens have one race called in their favour They have 243,471 votes and 1.25 per cent of the popular vote There were three independents and four vacancies in the 338-seat Commons the Commons has grown by five ridings starting with this election This article was automatically generated using data provided by Canadian Press and will update as riding results become available Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Simcoe-Grey MP Terry Dowdall has been elected for a third term at Parliament Hill but first he’ll have to work to collect 1,800 lawn signs Dowdall entered his election night party at Bear Estate in Collingwood to applause at about 9:15 p.m to watch the result trickle in alongside about 50 supporters Dowdall delivered a speech to celebrate his win 160 out of Simcoe-Grey’s 221 polls were reporting with Dowdall receiving 53 per cent of the vote Liberal Bren Munro had 42 per cent of the votes Allan Kuhn of the Greens with 1.62 per cent and the People’s Party’s Giorgio Mammoliti with 0.85 per cent of the vote Dowdall thanked his wife Colleen and his campaign team specifically Jennifer Armstrong and Dwayne McNabb “It’s been an interesting election,” said Dowdall to laughs from his supporters the Liberals under Mark Carney would form a minority government “We’ll have an opportunity to expose them and we’re going to hold their feet to the fire as we always do.” Dowdall mused about the issues he heard while door-knocking “We can’t forget people who have a dream...of working hard and buying a home That’s what’s been lost,” he said Dowdall said his campaign delivered 1,800 lawn signs this year – about 600 more than ever before despite New Tecumseth being moved into another riding this time – which he believes spoke to how much more engaged voters were in this election “To each and every one of you – we couldn’t have won this without you,” he said “I’ve been in a lot of elections This is the first time I didn’t really know what the outcome would be.” “It’s because there were so many new people who voted this time In 2021 there were 77,046 votes cast in Simcoe-Grey out of 121,333 eligible electors Adam Minatel of the People's Party had 5,550 votes Nicholas Clayton of the Green Party had 2,969 votes and Ken Stouffer of the Christian Heritage Party had 382 votes More Spotlight > If you’re among the ever-growing number of folks who have opted to "buy Canadian" in the face of the shifting global economy you may want to consider adding a farmers' market to your regular shopping mix brings the concept of "made in Canada" closer than most would imagine — virtually everything that’s offered at the market is made in Simcoe County fresh produce and a wide variety of handmade crafts “Most people have no idea of how many flowers and plants are imported to this country,” said Katie Goulbourne “I think it’s fantastic that everything in the Elmvale Farmers’ Market is local and I think it’s making an impact on how people buy.” who’s committed to being a part of the market again this season the "buy Canadian" movement in the flower sector is almost as strong as it is in the food sector.  She said she’s noticed more and more brides looking for local flowers for their weddings and they’ve adopted the same attitude as those who got behind the "100-mile diet," a philosophy that championed consuming products that were grown within a 100-mile radius .. “It’s called the Slow Flower Movement and it shares the same belief as the slow food or 100-mile diet,” Goulbourne said “People are looking for products that are local Beamish Honey producer Kevin Beamish agreed and offered another reason why locally produced foods are gaining traction with consumers — they can get face-to-face with the person who made it “When you buy something that’s imported you don’t really know where it came from or how it was made or “When you buy local and deal with a local producer know their product — how it’s grown and cared for — and can deal with them one-on-one “I know it’s important to me and I’ve seen an increase in its importance to others,” Beamish added of Valley Farm Market just outside of Elmvale, has been a vendor at the market since Day 1 and he's committed to being a part of it this season He said the market has changed over the years but the one constant is the personal relationships the market facilitates "The market gives us the opportunity to directly sell some of our produce and baking to the local community," he said adding he's growing crops specifically for the Elmvale market because folks have been asking for them "It's a great addition to our own farm market and a great way to promote our business to folks who can't come out to our farm," Linde said In an effort to increase the breadth of its offering and add value to the market and increase its appeal market organizers are always looking to add new vendors.  A booth at the market costs $300 for the season — June 12 to Sept 18 — or $25 for a week and the vendor must live in Simcoe County All fruits and vegetables must be produced and processed within Simcoe County or within a 100-kilometre radius of Elmvale and Springwater Township producers will be given priority.  etc.) must follow the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit regulations and all arts and crafts items must be 100 per cent original and hand-produced organizers moved the Farmers’ Market to Thursday nights a move organizers hope will increase traffic we’re moving to a brand-new time — Thursdays from 3 to 7 p.m.,” Crystal Graveson president of the Elmvale Business Improvement Area which organizes the Elmvale Farmers’ Market said in a news release announcing the launch of the farmers’ market “We believe this change will provide more families and visitors with the chance to enjoy and experience all that our community has to offer.” who sits as the township representative on the Elmvale BIA the market has become the village’s social hub “Through countless conversations with local business owners it's clear that the farmers’ market plays a key role in attracting visitors to our downtown core and driving economic growth within Elmvale,” Garwood said in a news release “It serves as a lively gathering space for artisans More Spotlight > For a full list of waste facility locations and hours, please click here Compost is a soil amendment used in gardens to add nutrients, or as top dressing for lawns to help retain moisture, and is produced in house using leaf and yard waste material generated throughout the County of Simcoe. Learn more about how the county uses your leaf and yard waste to make compost and residents should bring their shovels to load bins Cost is $5 per carload or $20 per truck or trailer load Mulch is also available free of charge while quantities last at county waste facilities and as top dressing for flower and vegetable gardens The United Way of Haldimand and Norfolk has announced its funding allocations for 2025-2026 to eight organizations delivering unique programs We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentThe funding focus remains on social issues linked to overcoming poverty, supporting youth and creating thriving, strong communities, said George Araujo, executive director of the United Way.   “The United Way of Haldimand and Norfolk continues its mission of supporting local agencies and organizations that work hard helping everyone in our communities,” said Araujo.   David Sykes, United Way president, said the community, including companies and businesses, “provided generous support allowing United Way to continue funding unique programs that are available to everyone.”  “Thank you to our donors and community volunteers on the allocations committee who make this possible,” said Sykes.  Funding is distributed under three pillars – All that Kids Can Be; Healthy People and Strong Communities; and From Poverty to Possibility.  The County of Simcoe has extended operations at three temporary brush dropoff locations until May 3 with possible further extensions based on ongoing needs chipper trucks will continue to service the hardest hit communities in the coming weeks Following last month’s ice storm, temporary drop-off sites were established in Coldwater, Midhurst, and Innisfil to help residents dispose of storm debris. Additionally, brush drop-off fees have been waived at all county waste facilities until the end of May. Click here for locations curbside brush collection has been ongoing prioritizing the hardest-hit communities of OroMedonte though the large volume of debris will continue to require extended processing time Chipper trucks will be processing brush in these affected communities over the coming weeks based on priority needs Residents must place all brush materials at their curbs by May 19. While collection timing will vary, all properly placed materials will eventually be collected. Residents can utilize this interactive map to see if their home address falls into one of the highly impacted areas currently receiving collection and/or chipper crews If you are not in one of the highly impacted areas the county will still be doing a one-time collection of larger storm brush in the near future More information on this one-time collection for the remaining areas will be shared soon BarrieNewsSimcoe North incumbent Adam Chambers wins tight race to keep riding blueBy Mike ArsalidesUpdated: April 29, 2025 at 4:45PM EDT Conservative incumbent John Brassard speaks to volunteers and supporters after his re-election win was declared Conservative candidate Adam Chambers (right) is congratulated by a young supporter after being declared the winner in Simcoe North Terry Dowdall speaks to supporters after his election win in Simcoe-Grey Conservative candidates were elected in ridings of Simcoe-Grey Barrie South—Innisfil and New Tecumseth—Gwillimbury While the Liberals will form the next federal government all five of Simcoe County’s ridings will be represented by Conservatives in the upcoming Parliament John Brassard retained his Barrie South—Innisfil seat a Conservative stronghold riding he’s held since its creation in 2015 The riding’s runner-up was John Olthuis of the Liberal party Brassard said he was proud of the campaign he and his party ran this election but was disappointed in the national result he says he will be focused on working with the Liberal government to address affordability in Canada “We can’t keep on the trajectory that we’re on,” he said Otherwise we’re going to be in bad shape as a nation.” Brassard has previously served as deputy whip and opposition house leader under the Conservatives Brassard was a three-term Barrie city councillor Continuing a Conservative sweep of the Barrie area Doug Shipley was elected for a third time in his home riding of Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte Simcoe.com reached out to Shipley for comment after election night results came in the incumbent could not be reached at the phone number provided by his campaign office Shipley has served as his party’s associate shadow minister for public safety and most recently as vice-chair of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security Liberal candidate Rose Zacharias came in second Conservative Scot Davidson was elected in the new riding of New Tecumseth—Gwillimbury unofficial results had Davidson with about 59 per cent of the vote The riding used to be York-Simcoe but was changed when boundaries were updated for the 2025 election Davidson’s campaign did not return Simcoe.com’s request for comment Conservative Terry Dowdall was once again elected to represent Simcoe-Grey in Ottawa With 195 of 221 polls reporting as of press time, Simcoe.com declared Dowdall the winner with 52.5 per cent of the votes This marks the third federal election win for Dowdall a former Mayor of Essa Township and warden of County of Simcoe his supporters and volunteers who put up more than 1,800 signs during the campaign the night was bittersweet as the Conservative Party won’t form the next government “I kind of feel a bit like getting the MVP Award and you didn’t win the Stanley Cup,” he said Dowdall was pleased with the numbers for the party “We are going to hold their feet to the fire as we always do,” he said Voters in Simcoe North have sent a Conservative to the House of Commons for the seventh straight election had a lead of more than 1,200 votes over his Liberal rival Melissa Lloyd of the NDP was a distant third Stephen Makk of the People’s Party of Canada and Russ Emo of the Christian Heritage Party celebrating his victory at the Bonaire Golf Club in Coldwater said while he had been watching national polling numbers that favoured the Liberals he generally ran into a positive reception while going door-to-door “We knocked on thousands of doors,” he said noting there were challenges with the ice storm “We were hearing people are concerned about the economy the housing question is still very much to be resolved and we need to do a lot better on housing.” Rocca said that while on the campaign trail he heard from people who generally voted Conservative that they would be voting Liberal due to what was happening south of the border “They really felt the right person for the job is Prime Minister Mark Carney,” he said Chambers acknowledged the Conservative Party will have to go through some introspection but was buoyed by the party’s improved results from 2021 “There are more people voting for the party than did last time,” he said “There’s some positive things to take from this “Everybody said there was a red wave coming and everyone was flocking to the Liberal party They were not given a majority tonight and there were these other issues I was hearing about at the door.” You can also follow our coverage of the 2025 federal election and click through our interactive map for real-time results after the polls close. Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account. The Port Dover Lions are hosting their annual Month of May Food Drive for the Port Dover Lifeline Food Bank We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentWith a goal of $4,500 There are numerous ways the community can donate – cash or cheques can be brought to the Port Dover Scotiabank branch or Lions Silver Lake Market on Saturdays The Lions will also have their firetruck in the Roulston’s Pharmacy parking lot every Saturday and Sunday in May accepting non-perishable food and money donations in cash or tap.   A bottle drive will take place May 31 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Lions Silver Lake Market upper parking lot.    The Lions will also kick off their Show & Shine car show season with a gate collection on May 19 and 26.    Special non-perishable food donation boxes will be available at the Port Dover Community Center, Lions Silver Lake Market, and No Frills. Cash donations can be made at, Dover Dairy Bar, Stoney’s Home Hardware, Lions Silver Lake Market and Lakeside Savings, Beer Store and LCBO.   The Port Dover Lifeline Food Bank has served over 1,500 clients in the past year with a team of 30 volunteers. Usage by new clients has increased by 31 percent since September 2024.  The polls are set to close in Ontario at 9:30 p.m with the first polls closing in Newfoundland at 8:30 p.m. NDT (7 p.m EDT) and the last polls closing in the west at 7:00 p.m. PDT (10 p.m incumbent Adam Chambers (Conservative) is seeking re-election Stephen Makk (People's Party of Canada) Russ Emo (Christian Heritage Party) and Melissa Lloyd (NDP) The candidates in Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte (BSOM) are incumbent Doug Shipley (Conservative), Michael Speers (Communist) According to preliminary figures from Elections Canada 7.3 million people voted in advance polls — a 25 per cent increase from 2021 Liberal Leader Mark Carney triggered the election on March 22 after serving as prime minister for just over a week he has positioned himself as the best person to take on U.S President Donald Trump and lead the country through an economic crisis Carney said the question voters must answer is this: "Who's going to be negotiating with President Trump and who's going to be managing the finances of this country?" Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has run on a platform of change asking voters to deny the Liberals four more years in power change," he said in Hamilton last week "Change so you can afford food and housing Change so we can bring home our jobs and strength Public polling shows that the Liberals opened up a lead over the Conservatives at the outset of the campaign Those polls have not been kind to Jagmeet Singh's New Democratic Party which has been polling in a distant third place Singh has been urging voters to rally around NDP incumbents and send them back to Ottawa to hold what he expects to be a Liberal government accountable The Green Party and its co-leaders, Jonathan Pedneault and Elizabeth May are hoping to protect the party's incumbents May in Saanich—Gulf Islands and Mike Morrice in Kitchener Centre and re-elect former MP Paul Manly in Nanaimo—Ladysmith The party has also singled out Pedneault's riding of Outremont as well as Fredericton—Oromocto and Guelph Meanwhile, Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet recently made headlines for riling up his sovereigntist base for calling Canada "an artificial country with very little meaning." You can follow the results of the election as they come in here, and on our Canada Votes home page Burning Kiln Winery is turning up the heat this summer with the return of Concerts in the Vineyard — a five-night outdoor concert series Opening acts and supporting talent will be announced soon. said the release. Tickets are now on sale with a limited number of VIP tickets available.   Adam Chambers has stretched his lead over Liberal rival Ryan Rocca as of of 11:25 p.m NDP candidate Melissa Lloyd is in third place with 637 votes Chambers is looking for his second term as MP of Simcoe North is in second place with 1,568 ballots cast in his favour NDP candidate Melissa Lloyd is a distant third with just 175 votes It's also not yet clear who will be the MP for Simcoe North Early results show a clear two-horse race between incumbent Adam Chambers (Conservative) and first-time candidate Ryan Rocca of the Liberals And part of the reason the two are in a tight race is the absence of a credible NDP candidate in the riding NDP candidate Melissa Lloyd has garnered just 61 votes so far the NDP finished either second or third and Other candidates on the ballot include Ray Little (Green Party) Stephen Makk (People's Party of Canada) and Russ Emo (Christian Heritage Party) OPP have charged one person with second-degree murder in connection with a sudden death in Simcoe Norfolk OPP were called to address Tuesday for a well-being check when they found deceased person Ontario Provincial Police have charged a person with second-degree murder in connection with a sudden death in Simcoe Norfolk County OPP were sent to a residence on Norfolk Street for a well-being check shortly before 3 p.m one person was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and two counts of failing to comply with a probation order nor the victim have been identified by police Detectives believe the homicide was an isolated incident and do not believe there is a threat to public safety The accused appeared in court in Simcoe Friday and remains in custody While final results have not yet been tabulated it appears Conservative Adam Chambers will secure another term as the Member of Parliament for Simcoe North.  Chambers was celebrating the results Monday night surrounded by supporters at Bonaire Golf in Coldwater as the results trickled in on large television screens but incrementally grew a lead as the night wore on NDP candidate Melissa Lloyd was a distant third with just 746 votes tonight's election in Simcoe North was a two-party contest The implosion of the NDP has been a significant factor in the results locally and nationally the NDP ran a candidate — Melissa Lloyd — who was a non-entity in the election Not only have reporters not been able to track her down the federal party could not provide any biographical information At the only candidates' forum of the election in Simcoe North OrilliaMatters reached out to the past local NDP candidate the riding association and the press secretary of the party to find out more about Lloyd The former candidate and the local riding association did not even respond to emails responded to our initial request with a link to photos of the party's candidates but it’s updated regularly," Elming said in an April 15 email Lloyd's photo still is not on the lineup of NDP candidates OrilliaMatters requested a biography of the candidate and contact information "I'll see what I can do," Elming replied Reporter Tyler Evans is at Bonaire and will have much more on Chambers' victory later tonight Andrew Philips is with Ryan Rocca's campaign at the Coldwater Legion and will also have much more later tonight Barrie WatchSimcoe Muskoka weather details: Fri. May 2Here are the latest weather details, plus the long-range forecast for York Region, Simcoe County and Muskoka. Brantford police have one suspect in custody and are searching for another following an April 24 break in to a Sheridan Street home. Officers were sent to the Sheridan Street and Stanley Street area at about 11 a.m. Thursday to investigate a report of a man with a firearm. Two nearby schools were temporarily placed in hold and secure out of an abundance of caution, police said. Police determined that a break and enter had occurred at a Sheridan Street home. The resident, who had a firearm, chased the suspect away, police said. During a search for the two suspects, officers encountered a male who matched the description of the armed suspect. The individual was detained briefly and released after his identity was confirmed. A description of the second suspect wanted in connection with the break-in is not available at this time and no charges have been laid at this time, police said. This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy BarrieNewsHummingbirds return to Simcoe County after Spring migration By Julianna BalsamoPublished: May 01, 2025 at 11:34AM EDT This will be the last election for Simcoe-Grey Liberal candidate Bren Munro who was proud to see Mark Carney elected Prime Minister of Canada and to see more votes for the Liberals in her riding.  Munro said the Liberals are building a base in Simcoe-Grey and she's been part of that for the last two federal elections.  After thanking the volunteers and her campaign team at a party at Black Bellows in Collingwood Munro said the local riding results were "respectable" for the Liberals.  Munro and incumbent MP Terry Dowdall were only a couple hundred votes away from each other on April 28 had Dowdall win with 31,884 votes (51.7 per cent) and Munro in second with 26,767 votes (43.7 per cent).  "It's respectable," said Munro of the increase in Liberal votes in Simcoe-Grey Munro won 21,320 votes to Dowdall's 36,249.  While the final results for national seats wasn't confirmed yet most news outlets were predicting a Liberal minority government.  "We're going to be ok with the minority government," said Munro noting there would be possible support from the Bloc Québécois You can certainly tell it’s spring by the events on this weekend’s calendar I swear I felt a shift in the weather just by seeing a car wash and a trunk sale on the agenda Does anything say spring temperatures quite like outdoor shopping and making your best ride look its nicest?  Here’s what’s happening in Bradford and Innisfil in the coming days: deputy mayor and ward representative in a relaxed space and gain insight into upcoming community projects and initiatives Free refreshments and snacks will be provided Activities at Bradford’s Youth Recreation Centre The tournament runs from noon to 4 p.m.; prizes will be awarded to the winner Ice cream will be available from 1 to 3 p.m Got an upcoming event or news tip to share? Email it to [email protected] The housing crisis is on the mind of many Canadians right now We asked the Simcoe-Grey federal election candidates what they thought about the issue and what they would do to fix it if elected Simcoe-Grey NDP candidate Jasleen Bains did not respond to interview requests and the federal NDP media relations officer declined an interview request on her behalf Here’s what the other candidates said “If the government uses government money to build housing that housing has to be deeply affordable,” said Kuhn "That means it has to cost 30 per cent of an average person’s wage That's not the way it is right now.” Kuhn says one of the issues that contributes to the rising costs is housing is treated more like a financial investment “We're treating the housing market like the stock market the housing market is a human right.” he said “There are tax loopholes to make corporations lots of money off of us in housing.” He said he believes Crown land and public land should be donated for affordable housing builds “Canada is the second biggest country on the planet We've got so much land that we could use for affordable housing,” said Kuhn “There's very little in the housing framework with our party I’ve been asked to try to write it over the next little while,” he said referencing the 12 years he spent working for Ontario Housing Corporation “They do see me as a housing advocate.” Mammoliti said he will be proposing a no-segregation policy that would see affordable attainable and social housing integrated into neighbourhoods instead of having those housing types confined to certain areas of town “We're not going to build any more housing or contribute federal money to any more housing that will segregate the poor,” he said “It only creates more difficulty for the people living in those units.” Mammoliti also believes that federal land should be contributed to affordable housing efforts nation-wide and corporations who build high apartment towers should be required to donate affordable units back to municipalities “I also don't believe that the federal government should be preaching to municipalities on how to build their affordable housing units but I think the federal government should fund them,” he said Munro talks about the Liberal’s ambitious housing plan which will see the pace of construction doubled to bring in 500,000 more homes per year “Everything's going to come together Not 13 economies – one economy,” said Munro noting the Liberals are also in support of removing inter-provincial trade barriers She said while only 10 per cent of land in Canada is privately owned 90 per cent is Crown land or land in trust “We have lots of land to build on,” she said Munro talks about the party’s plan to go back to building wartime houses through pre-fabricated home builders with $25 billion in financing pledged for the endeavour “That's what they built at the end of the Second World War for all the soldiers coming home and that's what we're going to build again,” she said Munro references recently bringing the federal housing minister Nate Erskine-Smith to Collingwood to meet with Collingwood’s mayor and housing advocates “I'm able to connect A with B and bring people in as I can,” she said Munro lists off other Liberal promises through their platform including cutting development charges in half for multi-residential housing and a major tax incentive for developers who build rental housing Dowdall said one of the major hold-ups to getting affordable housing built is getting the infrastructure built to make sure new homes can be hooked up to the municipal grid He notes there’s been significant investment in infrastructure in Simcoe-Grey through the provincial government over the past few years “It's been delayed for a long period of time,” he said “It's too bad these (investments) weren’t earlier because...developers have slowed down.” Dowdall said Simcoe-Grey needs to be looking at new types of housing noting he built a tiny home on his New Lowell property for his mother-in-law “Secondary suites are good in certain neighbourhoods as well,” he said “I think people have to realize there's different types and some people are against new singular homes Any home that's built is a new home.” Dowdall said the housing crisis is putting pressure on other areas of the economy as well and he believes tiny homes may be the answer He said that while the federal government should be doing their part municipalities and the provincial government all need to be on-board as well with the same goals “Everybody needs to be working on it but I think what's been lost is the private side for years The government subsidizes another government to build something but they won't subsidize somebody else that's willing to do a project that can put more people into a house,” he said “Let's get the houses built,” he said The ballots are counted and the results are in As Canadians across the country cast their votes in the 2025 federal election several key ridings in our region saw incumbents hold strong and familiar faces return to Parliament here’s a look at who’s been elected to represent you in Ottawa and what they’ve been up to leading into this campaign John Brassard has secured another term as MP for Barrie South–Innisfil campaigning on a platform focused on economic recovery Brassard emphasized a “Canada-first” agenda voicing concerns over housing affordability and the country’s economic future under the Liberals He remains a strong supporter of Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre’s plans for addiction treatment expansion RELATED: See more details of John Brassard's campaign ... By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Central Ontario Broadcasting, 431 Huronia Rd, Barrie, Ontario, CA, https://www.cobroadcasting.com. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact Doug Shipley has been re-elected in Barrie–Springwater–Oro-Medonte highlighting the urgent need for change amid growing concerns over affordability A hands-on representative known for strong local service Shipley is backing Conservative plans for major tax cuts Drawing from his experience on Barrie City Council he emphasized the importance of fiscal responsibility and restoring hope for young Canadians struggling with the dream of homeownership RELATED: Get to know conservative MP Doug Shipley a little more ... Adam Chambers retained his seat in Simcoe North and entrepreneurial experience back to Parliament A vocal advocate for financial transparency and regulatory reform Chambers introduced legislation to crack down on tax evasion and misleading identity practices Chambers continues to serve on the Finance Committee and remains active in global human rights advocacy through his co-leadership on the Parliamentary Friends of a Democratic Burma Terry Dowdall was re-elected in Simcoe–Grey continuing his work as a strong voice for veterans A champion for mental health and rare disease treatment access Dowdall has pushed for better healthcare support while standing firmly for fiscal responsibility With a deep background in municipal leadership and ties to Canadian Forces Base Borden Dowdall is once again bringing grassroots priorities to the national stage Scot Davidson secured re-election in New Tecumseth–Gwillimbury continuing his advocacy for small businesses Davidson has been a vocal proponent of reducing regulatory burdens and supporting Canada's agricultural sector His successful passage of Bill C-280 in 2024 which established financial protections for fresh produce growers underscores his commitment to local economies Davidson remains dedicated to preserving the health of the Lake Simcoe watershed and enhancing the quality of life for his constituents Scott Aitchison was re-elected in Parry Sound–Muskoka reaffirming his role as a strong advocate for rural communities With a background in municipal politics and a tenure as Huntsville's mayor Aitchison brings a wealth of experience to Parliament He has been outspoken on the need for affordable housing and has criticized federal inaction in rural areas Aitchison's commitment to inclusive and compassionate leadership continues to resonate with his constituents Three quarters of Canadians say misinformation affected the federal election: poll Ontario riding flips to Liberals after validation process Longest Ballot group declares victory in Poilievre's former riding amid criticism (Updated) Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre loses his long-held seat in Ottawa (Update) Liberals projected to finish just shy of majority in razor-close race NDP could hold balance of power with Liberal minority ©2025 Central Ontario Broadcasting Website by TALIS Creative Barrie WatchAdam Chambers re-elected in Simcoe NorthAdam Chambers has been re-elected in Simcoe North. The school board has confirmed all asbestos has been removed from Elgin Avenue Public School in Simcoe but it is unclear if any further renovations have been done since the fall The school is supposed to reopen next spring Shipping containers are parked on the lawn of Elgin Avenue Public School in Simcoe ahead of a planned merger of the school with nearby West Lynn Public School after the Elgin building undergoes extensive upgrades and an expansion Slow progress at downtown school under renovation they are the Elgin Eagles and West Lynn Warriors Students from Elgin Avenue Public School have been studying at nearby West Lynn Public School this year while the 77-year-old Elgin building undergoes extensive upgrades and a 17,000-square-foot expansion The new space will include four classrooms next to a child-care and EarlyON centre along with an accessible entrance and elevator the Ministry of Education approved the project and pledged just more than $12 million toward the total estimated cost of $18.7 million Now the school board wants students, staff, families and community groups to submit their best ideas for what to call the newly merged school. Submissions are open until May 24, with guidelines and full details available at granderie.ca/elgin-rename. and it deserves a name that marks this fresh start,” said board chair Susan Gibson in a statement The merger has been in the works since 2016 when the province first set aside funding to renovate the aging Elgin building in downtown Simcoe The plan was initiated due to what board staff said at the time was declining enrolment at the two schools some parents at West Lynn argue their school’s increasing enrolment as well as long-term demographic projections for Simcoe The construction tender was supposed to go out last November with work to begin in February ahead of a planned move of the combined student body back to the renovated Elgin building after March break in 2026 The move was originally set for this September before it was pushed back six months Making the transition after “a natural break in the school year such as March break” will hopefully make for “a smooth and efficient move from West Lynn,” Grand Erie District School Board spokesperson Ryan Strang told The Spectator in an email “This window gives our teams time to move furniture and equipment to the newly renovated space,” he said The school board says the renovations at Elgin are on schedule and “the project is on track” to open next March But Strang provided few specifics regarding what work has been done to date save for confirming all asbestos has been safely removed from the building which has been closed since the end of the last school year “Interior preparation has cleared the way for significant construction to begin in the coming weeks,” Strang said in an April 10 email to The Spectator A visit to the Elgin site on April 30 found three shipping containers parked on the lawn but no visual evidence of any construction underway There is no construction equipment on the property no signage indicating contractors are at work or any sign of ongoing renovations visible inside the building’s entranceways there could be delays,” Strang said in his April 10 email we will continue to work closely with the school’s principal to share updates with students and raising funds for the annual Hike for Hospice Hospice Simcoe has been in the community for over 35 years The organization started out providing bereavement services in people's homes and helping people die at home Hospice Simcoe opened a 10-bed end-of-life care facility on Penetanguishene Road Hospice Simcoe offers palliative and end-of-life care for individuals living with a life-threatening illness.  and then we can provide them with some bereavement support as well," says Hospice Simcoe executive director Kelly Hubbard The organization raises about $1.5 million a year and Hike for Hospice Simcoe is one of the signature events Hospice Simcoe also gets government money for their residential facility and some to support volunteer services The public often hears the terms hospice and palliative care and Hubbard was asked if there is a difference It's a journey of holistic care for those who have a life-threatening illness Palliative care is really through that whole trajectory A lot of people think that palliative care is end-of-life care really sick to access palliative care services End-of-life care is done at our residential facility People are there only at the end of life for the last 10 days to two weeks." Hubbard says palliative care is also about programs done months before a person dies "We can help talk to you about your legacy help you do advance care planning and having those conversations with your family." This can be done in the person's home or at Hospice Simcoe's community support location on Bell Farm Road "We have a team of social workers that can help you have those difficult conversations with your family members," says Hubbard discussions around death and dying have changed "I have seen it evolve in regards to symptom management collaboration in regards to team-based nursing team-based care with our physicians and social workers I would say we are not doing this work alone." Hubbard says they have a palliative care clinic coach who works with the city's vulnerable population Hospice Simcoe also assists organizations like the Alzheimer's Society to provide grief and bereavement support "It's hard to watch a loved one with dementia as you are grieving the loss of that relationship because even though they are physically alive they're not mentally or emotionally with you." It's where family members can be with their loved one and not be the care provider I feel like people who come into hospice think it's going to be death and crying and sadness We're doing our best to celebrate your life in the best way you want to More information here: https://hospicesimcoe.ca/ Surgical wait times down thanks to partnership between Barrie and Midland hospitals Barrie Tim Hortons' commits to expanding care for moms and newborns at RVH (Updated) Health unit announces additional measles exposure sites in Simcoe Muskoka three possible exposure locations in Barrie Waypoint’s HERO Art Group provides a creative outlet for mental health recovery 'Game changer,' says Barrie mayor as province announces HART hub for city BarrieNewsSimcoe County high school students participate in Model UN debateBy Luke SimardUpdated: April 29, 2025 at 7:02PM EDT On the heels of a jam-packed all-candidates meeting for provincial hopefuls the Simcoe and District Chamber of Commerce will host a similar forum federal election candidates Thursday night in Simcoe We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentIn conjunction with the Delhi and District Chamber of Commerce and Cornerstone Association of Realtors, the free debate – to be held at the Simcoe Legion – will allow each local candidate to address voters on issues facing both Canada and Norfolk County.    “The chamber is the voice of business in our community, and we want to hear from the candidates about how they want to move our country forward and what effect that will have on our businesses and our community in Norfolk County,” said Karen Matthews, executive director of the Simcoe Chamber.    Matthews added that the Chamber has a committee of residents that curates each question to cover several topics.    “We try to look at what are the big, overall areas of responsibilities of the federal government in this case, and how does that affect our country and us locally?” Matthews noted.     Five candidates, including incumbent Leslyn Lewis (PC), Colin Walsh (Liberal), Lily Eggink (Christian Heritage), Nate Hawkins (Green), Shannon Horner-Shepherd (NDP) have all confirmed attendance.  It was unknown at publication if Henry Geissler, People’s Party of Canada, candidate will be taking part. Should Thursday’s debate garner the same attention that the provincial candidates did, folks are advised to show up early.     “We always hope that people are invested enough in an election that they want to show up for the debate, and if you do the doors open at 6:30 p.m. the debate starts at 7 p.m.,” Matthews said.    “As an organization that produces debates, we love it when people engage in our democracy. The best way to learn about what’s going on in our government is to hear it first-hand from our elected officials. It’s exciting to see that many people show up and fingers crossed that will repeat itself in the next debate.”    Those unable to attend in person can watch the proceedings online at simcoechamber.on.ca. The stream will also include a sign language interpreter and will be replayed on the chamber’s YouTube channel.    Those in attendance will be given an anonymous survey of two questions asking if they had a chosen candidate before the event and if that decision changed afterward.    “It’s going to be very fast and simple,” said Matthews. “Just so we can get a bead on what that means for our community.”  a Midland retirement home and a Tiny Township resort have all been issued health hazard orders following recent inspections by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit Spice Mart in north Barrie was issued an order to close after the local health unit received a complaint on March 21 prompting inspectors to visit the Cundles Road East takeout spot and grocery store During that visit, the health unit says the inspector found four non-critical and seven critical infractions, according to the online report These infractions included failing to maintain the premise free from conditions that may be a health hazard adversely affect the sanitary operation of the premise or adversely affect the wholesomeness of the food; and a failure to ensure the floors walls and ceilings were clean and in good repair; and handwashing stations not being conveniently accessible by food handlers Also noted in the inspection report was a failure to maintain and arrange appliances in clean and sanitary conditions; failure to clean and sanitize food contact surfaces or equipment after each use and as often as necessary; failure to cover food; failure to protect food from contamination and/or adulteration; improper cooling and improper thawing; and a failure to maintain potentially hazardous foods at an internal temperature of 60 degrees celsius or higher the health unit says equipment and/or product was seized and destroyed education was provided and the premises was closed That order to close was rescinded on March 25 after a followup inspection determined that all violations had been corrected which determined multiple critical and non-critical infractions at the time In Midland, Tiffin Retirement Residences was issued an order to close its whirlpool and spa on March 27 after a routine inspection determined three critical and four non-critical infractions Education was provided at the time of the inspection the report was reviewed and the Pillsbury Drive premises were closed In Tiny Township, Sunport Beach Resort Motel was served an order to comply on March 25 for failing to ensure the premises is operated and maintained free from conditions that may be an immediate health hazard, related to what an online report described as “small drinking water systems” (SDWS) the order is related to a routine inspection dating back to October 2023 when it was determined the Tiny Beaches Road South facility failed to sample and test drinking water in accordance with assigned frequency The report indicates the issue was corrected during inspection a SDWS directive was issued and no immediate action was required by the public health inspector Voters from Simcoe and across Canada cast their ballots in the federal election on Monday Below are the latest results updated for you in real time We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentWhile residents vote for their local members of parliament, it was Liberal Leader Mark Carney and the Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre who were vying to become the next prime minister. The majority of polls closed at 9:30 p.m., in Ontario, and at 10:30 p.m. Postmedia’s decision desk projected a Liberal win. The maps and other graphics below show results as they were counted. Zoom in to find your riding, zoom out to see results from across the country. Refresh your browser for the latest updates. Patrons anxious to see the completed renovation of the Norfolk County Public Library branch in Waterford had their curiosity piqued during a grand reopening on Thursday evening We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle content“This was such a team effort, and we are absolutely thrilled with this space,” said Julie Kent, CEO of the NCPL. “Our opportunity to work with Norfolk County staff has been delightful, and I look forward seeing everyone have so much fun and opportunity to learn.” Sylvia Myers of Schoolhouse Products in Markham helped with design and furniture choices for the renovation project. “They lowered the shelving which gives better sight lines and opens up the space because the ceiling is pretty low,” Myers said. “The big circulation desk is white to make the space look brighter. Walking into the space, patrons will notice a difference.” NCPL board chair Kimberly Earls said the project was a long time coming in terms of planning while the community has grown so much. “I think it’s so lovely,” she said. “It’s so light and bright, and I feel like it functions so well. I think it makes use of our space a little better.” By moving around shelving, changing walls and repurposing wasted space the renovation project resulted in a gain of 800 square feet of public-use space. Sydney Clarysse, project lead, energy and facilities at Norfolk County, said that through a federal government investment under the Green Inclusive Community Buildings Program, energy savings from the retrofit portion of the project will see an 80.7 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and about $4,000 in annual energy savings or reduced operating costs for the branch. “NCPL had an interior expansion in their capital budget for which they were planning,” Clarysse noted. “As soon as we found out we were successful in receiving the funding for the retrofit, we decided it would be best to combine both projects and reduce the downtime for the community at the branch.” CEO Kent added that through a partnership with the Waterford and District Horticultural Society, gardens around the library will be revitalized with native plants and shrubs over a few years. Waterford residents Hannah Lawrence and her husband Cliff were among those attending the grand reopening, sharing that she used to bring her children to the library when they were younger, and now brings her grandson quite often. “It’s a beautiful library and I’m excited for it,” she said. “I think it’s going to be much more user friendly, and I love that it’s more environmentally friendly too.” Voters arrive to cast their ballot in the federal election at an advanced poll location All four previously-existing ridings saw big gains while a new riding in the county also saw a significant portion of the voting public turn out Canada’s latest federal election is now one for the history books. Let’s dive into the numbers behind this recent vote Of the four ridings that existed in the previous elections all saw a higher voter turnout than in the 2021 federal vote A fifth riding was added to the region prior to the election There were 99,134 registered voters in the Barrie South-Innisfil riding representing a 67.84-per-cent voter turnout this year The 2021 election saw a turnout of 59.16 per cent was re-elected with 57.8 per cent of the vote followed by Liberal candidate John Olthuis at 38 per cent The NDP’s Andrew Harrigan garnered 3.2 per cent of the vote while Mark Sampson of the People’s Party of Canada took in 1.1 per cent The Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte riding had 93,140 registered voters Conservative incumbent Doug Shipley won with 51.7 per cent of the vote followed by Liberal candidate Rose Zacharias’ 43.2 per cent of the vote while the Communist Party’s Michael Speers and the Green Party’s Greg Taylor both saw 1.4 per cent of the vote come their way The New Tecumseth-Gwillimbury riding saw its highest turnout ever … because it was its first turnout The riding was newly created for the 2025 election and saw 66,124 of its 96,762 registered voters turn out to cast a ballot Conservative Scot Davidson won the riding with 59.4 per cent of the vote followed by Liberal candidate Mike Hanrahan at 37 per cent Nancy Morrison of the NDP saw 1.9 per cent of the vote while the Green Party’s Callum McKinnon saw 1.1 per cent People’s Party of Canada candidate Paul Montague garnered 0.8 per cent of the vote The Simcoe-Grey riding saw a significant boost in its voter turnout for the 2025 election Of the 95,169 registered voters in the riding the riding saw nearly 10 per cent more voters show up at the polls Incumbent Terry Dowdall won back his seat for the Conservatives Liberal candidate Bren Munro took home 43.7 per cent of the vote while the NDP’s Jasleen Bains saw 2.3 per cent Allan Kuhn of the Green Party saw 1.5 per cent while 0.8 per cent went to People’s Party of Canada candidate Giorgio Mammoliti The Simcoe North riding also saw a significant rise in voter turnout for the 2025 election There were 97,424 registered voters for the latest election Adam Chambers secured 48.2 per cent of the vote to win a seat for the Conservative Party while Liberal candidate Ryan Rocca saw 45 per cent The NDP’s Melissa Lloyd garnered 3.7 per cent 1.9 per cent went to Ray Little of the Greens one per cent for Stephen Toivo Makk of the People’s Party and 0.3 per cent of votes went to the Christian Heritage Party’s Russ Emo Please note that this information comes via Elections Canada but has yet to be verified. These numbers do not include those who registered to vote on the day of the election. Brett Glover is a journalist with the Barrie Advance. Simcoe-Grey voters returned Conservative incumbent Terry Dowdall to Ottawa Monday where he has represented the riding since 2019 We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentThe former mayor of Essa Township and longtime Simcoe County councillor defeated second-place Liberal Bren Munro by 5,370 votes — 34,634 to 29,264 — with 220 of 221 polls reporting. That represents 51.7 per cent of the vote for Dowdall, and 43.7 per cent for Munro, preliminary results show. In 2021, before the riding’s boundaries were redrawn to account for population growth, Dowdall received 47 per cent of the vote, with one poll left to report. Munro ran for the Liberals and received 28 per cent support in 2021. The New Democratic Party’s Jasleen Bains received 1,572 votes or 2.3 per cent, the Green Party’s Allan Kuhn received 968 votes, or 1.4 per cent, and People’s Party of Canada candidate Giorgio Mammoliti received 517 votes, 0.8 per cent. Voter turnout was 70.35 per cent this election, with 66,955 of 95,169, not counting electors who registered on election day, Elections Canada’s website says. In 2021, voter turnout was 63.4 per cent. The riding includes Collingwood and The Blue Mountains, as well as Wasaga Beach, Essa, Clearview and Adjala-Tosorontio. This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Reintroduced legislation intends to clean up Ontario’s public spaces Doug Ford floats idea of electing judges in rant on bail reform Ontario proposes bail reforms to keep repeat offenders behind bars Thousands without power after Ontario thunderstorms Sportsline: Hamilton native and TSN host Mark Roe Jonathan Pedneault steps down as Green party co-leader Norfolk OPP have charged one person with second-degree murder following a sudden death investigation in Simcoe Police say they were dispatched for a wellness check at a home on Norfolk Street on April 22 around 2:55 p.m one person has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder and two counts of failing to comply with a probation order The name of the victim and the accused are being withheld under a court-ordered publication ban Investigators have shared they believe this is an isolated incident and there is no threat to public safety Anyone with information is asked to contact Norfolk County OPP at 1-888-310-1122 READ MORE: Jury finds two people accused of killing Const. Greg Pierzchala guilty Emily Vukovic was at Linea Intima in Oakville checking out the array If your after-work financial plan is tanking – please don’t try this We are cranking things up a notch with a Mamma Mania Dance Sunny skies with light winds and cooler high of 13°C today glamjulz is supporting a ‘Joyful Journey’ CHCH-TV started broadcasting in 1954 and is proud to be the news leader for Hamilton and the surrounding Halton and Niagara regions Copyright © 2025 CHCH. All Rights Reserved. ZWD voters in the riding resoundingly chose Conservative Leslyn Lewis to represent them on Parliament Hill Monday night The federal Conservative grip on Haldimand-Norfolk remains tight We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentFor the second straight election, voters in the riding resoundingly chose Conservative Leslyn Lewis to represent them on Parliament Hill Monday night. Lewis successfully defended the riding she first captured in September of 2021 after the retirement of longtime Tory MP and cabinet minister Diane Finley. “I’m just very, very pleased the people of Haldimand-Norfolk have entrusted me for a second time to represent them and be their voice in Parliament and represent them here in this riding,” said Lewis, who finished with 41,539 votes (57.5 per cent), with all but one poll reporting. Lewis’ victory will come as no surprise to pundits. Conservatives have been in power locally since 1997 and 36 of the last 46 years. As of Monday, 338 Canada – a statistical model of electoral projections based on opinion polls, electoral history, and demographic data – gave the incumbent a 99 percent chance to win the riding. Lewis said skyrocketing inflation was top of mind with voters throughout the campaign. “There are real, live concerns people have about being able to put food on the table, people worried about their futures,” she said in a phone interview on election night. “I didn’t really hear the concerns of young people (four years ago) that I’m hearing now (about) their ability to live the same lives as their parents did and have the opportunities. Some of them are really, really worried about whether they’ll be able to own a home and whether there are going to be jobs there for them.” During her campaign, Lewis stayed in lockstep with Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre by stressing the need to abolish the carbon tax, get tougher on crime, and deal with rising immigration numbers and prices for everyday items that took place during what Lewis called a “decade of destruction” under Liberal leadership. That messaging didn’t result in the Conservatives forming government. Mark Carney and the Liberals will form a minority government after Monday’s vote. “Our leader has run a very, very strong campaign,” Lewis said of Poilievre as Conservative leader. “He’s one of the hardest workers that I’ve ever worked with. He’s a great leader and I think he’d be a great prime minister.” Poilievre lost his seat in the riding of Carleton. The shadow hanging over the election was that of U.S, President Donald Trump, and his threats to tariff Canadian goods and make Canada the 51st state. Lewis said her constituents were “fatigued, worried and perturbed” about the lack of respect and decorum shown by Trump since taking office. “My background is in international law, and I was able to speak with (voters) about how we could really strengthen ourselves as a nation and ensure that we hedge and protect ourselves against any aggressions from the United States.” Lewis said that Canada must approach upcoming Canada-United States-Mexico trade agreement negotiations from a position of strength by harnessing the country’s natural resources and increasing trade within provinces. “I think we have to work together collaboratively from different parties to make sure that we are putting our best foot forward,” she added. “That’s very important to stakeholders in our community such as farmers and other individuals working in the trades and the auto sector.” Colin Walsh – a local French teacher – finished second to Lewis in his first foray into politics. Liberal lawn signs popped up on local properties at a high rate as Walsh stressed a need for “locally focused representation.” With all but one poll reporting, Walsh garnered 26,317 votes (36.4 per cent). Shannon Horner-Shepherd of the New Democratic Party was third with 2,412 votes. Nathan Hawkins of the Green Party finished with 760 votes; Henry Geissler of the People’s Party of Canada got 659 votes; and Lily Eggink of the Christian Heritage Party, 531 votes. Voter turnout in Haldimand-Norfolk was just over 72 per cent, with 72,218 residents casting ballots. “As long as Carney wins, Canada wins,” Walsh said from his headquarters in Simcoe on Monday night. “It would be nice if we were there with him so that our community would get that representation it so deserves, but we’re just starting.” Walsh wasted no time declaring his intention to run again in he next federal election. “Four years from now, I’m coming right back,” he said. “There’s a lot of people and a lot of real concerns in this area and voices that are not being heard. I want to make sure they are.” A week removed from the epic ice storm which shattered trees and a sense of normalcy across Simcoe County and beyond some residents are still living in survival mode a Severn Township mother of four — including a nine-year-old son with autism — who is still without power at her Eastside Drive home despite numerous calls “A tree came down and pulled out our main line,” Christie said with exhaustion in her voice “We were told to stay 10 metres away How are we supposed to live like that?” Hydro crews initially told Christie her power couldn’t be reconnected until the damaged line was fully disconnected a team reconnected the home — while the broken line was still partially live It was only giving slight power to the house,” she said ‘What if someone touches it?’ It was connected She spent days calling Hydro One and her electrician trying to coordinate a safe repair to the mast The earliest she’s now been told she might have power back is April 22 “We’ve been without real power since the night of the storm,” she said But it’s costing us nearly $70 a day in gas Christie's autistic son has struggled with the disruption mightily.  “He doesn’t understand why some switches work “This isn’t just an inconvenience for him Elaine Buzovetsky is living a different chapter of the same storm story Though her power has returned — after nine long dark days — she says her community is still in emergency mode “Our road was impassable for 24 hours,” said Buzovetsky who lives about a kilometre south of Lagoon City banded together when official support took days to arrive “Fourteen people were huddled in one house around a wood stove “We've all been in this together." Hydro workers from New Brunswick were met with tears and coffee when they finally arrived in Brechin this weekend after driving 15 hours straight But Buzovetsky says the slow pace of recovery has left many Buzovetsky's home sits on the shores of Lake Simcoe — normally a scenic privilege is now a growing threat with water levels rising dangerously high “We’re going to flood,” she said Buzovetsky has been spending her days checking on empty homes and watching the water inch closer to basements already filling up.  “This storm exposed a lot: infrastructure Because this could happen again.” the experience has shaken her sense of security She’s thankful for the help she’s received — from her kids and neighbours — but is left with lingering questions about how long it should really take to respond to a live wire hanging over a family home “I’m not someone who loses my cool,” she said both women say their communities have come together in remarkable fashion But they also agree the crisis isn’t over “We’re still living in the storm,” Christie said If you or someone you know is still without power or in need of support warming centres and local aid information can be found on municipal websites or by calling 2-1-1 Ontario News3 people in their 20s rushed to hospital after stabbing near Bremner and Lower SimcoeBy Jermaine WilsonOpens in new windowPublished: April 26 Toronto police say three men in their 20s have been rushed to hospital after an alleged stabbing early Saturday morning In a post shared to social media, police say the incident happened just after 2 a.m. near Bremner Boulevard and Lower Simcoe Street following reports of an altercation. Officers say all victims were transported to hospital with “non-life-threatening injuries.” The suspect, who fled the scene, was described as wearing dark clothing. The investigation is ongoing but anyone with information is asked to come forward. in addition to thunderstorms and strong winds 'Very strong wind gusts can damage buildings down trees and blow large vehicles off the road.' “Very strong wind gusts can damage buildings down trees and blow large vehicles off the road.” All of Simcoe County and the Blue Mountains are under a severe thunderstorm watch as a line of storms moves across Ontario today (April 29) “Conditions are favourable for the development of dangerous thunderstorms that may be capable of producing damaging wind gusts and large hail,” Environment and Climate Change Canada said in a press release “A cold front moving through the area is expected to trigger severe thunderstorms this afternoon,” the weather agency said “Large hail can damage property and cause injury Very strong wind gusts can damage buildings Wind gusts as high as 110 km/h are anticipated in some areas There is also potential for tornado activity although the lead time can be less than 10 minutes There isn’t a place outside that is safe during a thunderstorm You can check your local weather report at weather.gc.ca, or download the WeatherCAN app to get alerts to your smartphone Emergency Management Ontario recommends that you take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches Continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@ec.gc.ca or post reports on X using #ONStorm For more information visit ontario.ca/page/be-prepared-emergency very little detail has been provided about her Jasleen Bains is on the Simcoe-Grey ballot in the upcoming federal election on April 28 along with Terry Dowdall for the Conservatives Allan Kuhn for the Green Party and Giorgio Mammoliti for the People’s Party While the NDP’s press secretary Rebecca Elming responded to a request from CollingwoodToday and provided a photo of Bains Elming declined an interview on Bains’ behalf in an email CollingwoodToday denied Elming’s request to email questions to the party’s communications branch Requests for a phone interview have been unanswered There is no information on the NDP’s candidate page for Bains as of April 14 According to what appears to be Bains’ LinkedIn profile she has worked as a social media officer with the Canadian NDP for three years she worked as a teaching assistant at Simon Fraser University and received a bachelor of arts degree from Simon Fraser in international studies and communication Conservative Adam Chambers will return to Parliament Hill for a second term narrow victory in Simcoe North on Monday night in what was a tighter race than many expected First-time Liberal candidate Ryan Rocca finished in second place with 19,954 votes NDP candidate Melissa Lloyd was a distant third with 1,846 votes Speaking from a small election night gathering at Bonaire Golf in Coldwater Chambers said he was “filled with joy and thankfulness” for the renewed opportunity to represent Simcoe North “It feels pretty good locally here,” Chambers said just before midnight Monday night “We had a great response at the doors Watching the results come in across the country obviously you want to be in a position to win government but to make substantial gains and then to be victorious here feels pretty good.” Chambers said his campaign focused on listening to constituents’ concerns rather than simply pushing a national message and crime — those were the priorities people were raising at the door,” he said “People are worried about their next generation about taking on too much debt their children and grandchildren will have to pay.” He promised those issues will continue to shape his work in Parliament “My commitment is the same as it was last election — to listen to everyone and fight for the priorities that matter to the people of Simcoe North.” This year’s election campaign presented a stark contrast to Chambers’ first run in 2021 was in the middle of COVID — there were no gatherings like this It’s nice to be with people watching the results,” he said “This campaign had its own challenges — the ice storm was a significant deterrent Unless we were showing up with a chainsaw or a generator people were dealing with very pressing issues.” Chambers’ team knocked on thousands of doors across the riding emphasizing local outreach over national rhetoric He said residents were more focused on economic uncertainty “There was talk about what was going on south of the border but the bread-and-butter issues — the economy taxes — were what people were voting on here,” he said Among those celebrating Chambers’ re-election Monday night was Coldwater resident Marie Dandy a longtime Liberal voter who has shifted her support to the Conservatives “Conservatives have always been good for Simcoe North,” Dandy said but Adam stands for the things we need here I just don’t understand how people could vote Liberal after everything that’s happened.” Dandy praised Chambers’ dedication to the riding and his responsiveness to community concerns “He’s very supportive of anything that’s gone on in Simcoe North,” she said Penetanguishene resident Stu Spiers also pointed to Chambers’ leadership style as a key reason for his support and he has a good vision for what we need to do here,” Spiers said “The biggest issue is getting our economy going again We have natural resources that should be used and we’ve had ten years of total mismanagement.” Both Dandy and Spiers said they hope Chambers will continue to fight for fiscal responsibility and stronger economic growth in his second term While the Conservatives made gains nationally — picking up dozens of seats and posting a historically strong popular vote — it was not enough to unseat the Liberals who will likely form a minority government.  Chambers acknowledged that the seat balance in Parliament will require collaboration “Minority parliaments require some collaboration to pass legislation,” he said Chambers said he took “positivity” from the Conservatives’ growth in popular support and overall seat count just like every party does after an election,” he said “But it’s clear from Simcoe North and many other ridings that voters were sending a strong message about affordability Asked what message he had for younger voters concerned about the future “There’s still hope,” he said “There will be more Conservatives in Parliament this time advocating for housing and lower taxes We’re going to keep fighting on those issues.” he said he remains focused on ensuring the concerns of Simcoe North residents — from housing to crime to economic recovery — are front and centre “I’m thankful beyond words,” he said “It’s an incredible honour to continue representing this wonderful riding Check out our interactive map for live results after polls close Follow our coverage of the 2025 federal election and click through our interactive map for real-time results after polls close Comparisons to the 2021 election above use these transposed results This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this 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