Talks back on between Town of Innisfil and the City of Barrie

Innisfil Mayor Brian jackson is delighted by the invitation issued on Friday from provincial facilitator Allan Wells for the Town of Innisfil, City of Barrie and the County of Simcoe to resume negotiations to find a solution to the population growth in the area.

"We're ready, willing, and pleased to negotiate anywhere, anytime," said Mayor Jackson. "Our proposal rejected by Barrie could ultimately create 25 thousand jobs in the City alone, with additional employment opportunities in Innisfil. We hope once they understand the potential benefits for the citizens of Barrie, Innisfil and the County, as a whole, it will be a solid basis to more forward constructively."

Talks between the parties came to a halt when they ended abruptly last Tuesday. On Thursday, Wells sent a letter to the City, Town and County, inviting the parties back to the table for further negotiations.

"The parties had measured success during this round of discussions until this breakdown in communication occurred," Wells said.

Wells had proposed that future discussions would be conducted under a revised process. Spokespersons from both sides are responsive to the approach.

Under the new process, the Provincial Development Facilitator will develop options that build on the progress made to date by considering previous proposals and seeking and agreement that respects the interests of all sides and the public. Wells stated that, "discussions will proceed in an open and transparent manner so that all parties and especially the people impacted by any agreement will be aware of the details."

Negotiations will continue to seek a principles agreement that:

- Creates opportunities for employment and residential development to the mutual benefit of the people of Barrie, Innisfil and Simcoe County;

- Identifies future population growth and greater certainty around the long-term land needs for all parties;

- Provides infrastructure servicing on a full cost recovery basis;

- Establishes a "Joint Economic Corridor" for Barrie and Innisfil along Hwy. 400 for serviced employment lands;

- Addresses the need for compensation to Innisfil for the loss of assessment potential and treats all residents fairly;

- Includes a 'phased in' system so that current residents do not face high tax increases; and

- Protects environmentally sensitive lands and defines a clear urban separator between the City of Barrie and the Town of Innisfil.

The Town of Innisfil would like to find a local solution to accommodate population growth.

"The sooner we together reach a local solution, the sooner residents in both of our municipalities will benefit," Mayor Jackson added.

"We would like to see a concrete response from Barrie to manage population growth and deliver needed servicing infrastructure to our Innisfil heights employment area responsibly. What we don't want to see is Barrie ballooning at expense of both Innisfil and the rest of the County of Simcoe.