Barrie—Innisfil

Barrie—Innisfil covers the southern portion of the City of Barrie and the Town of Innisfil along the western shore of Lake Simcoe. The riding was created in the 2015 redistribution from the former Barrie riding and first contested in 2018, and Progressive Conservative Andrea Khanjin had held the seat since that inaugural election. As part of one of Ontario's fastest-growing corridors, the riding was grappling with the challenges of rapid suburban expansion along the Highway 400 corridor, roughly 90 minutes north of Toronto.

Candidates

Andrea Khanjin (Progressive Conservative) — First elected in 2018, Khanjin served as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. She ran on her government's record of infrastructure investment and housing supply initiatives in the Barrie-Simcoe corridor.

Pekka Reinio (NDP) — A local educator and community advocate, Reinio had been the NDP's standard-bearer in Barrie—Innisfil since finishing second in the 2018 election. He campaigned on affordable housing, better wages, and improved public services.

John Olthuis (Liberal) — The Liberal candidate in the riding.

Bonnie North (Green Party) — A longtime Green Party member who had run in multiple elections, North was a founding board member of Barrie's Urban Pantry and served on the Simcoe County Food Council. She had twice been elected Deputy Leader of the Green Party of Ontario and was passionate about local food security and sustainability.

Ashlyn Steele (New Blue Party), Grace Dean (Ontario Party), Benjamin Hughes (Independent), and Jake Tucker (PPF) also ran.

Local Issues

Housing affordability was a critical issue in Barrie—Innisfil, with Barrie ranked among the most expensive cities in Canada for renters. First-time homebuyers faced steep prices driven by the city's proximity to Toronto and strong population growth. Homelessness had also emerged as a growing concern, with candidates debating how to address encampments and the lack of supportive housing and shelter spaces.

Health care access was a major priority for residents. Long-term care standards, staffing shortages at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre, and the need for more family doctors were all top concerns. Candidates were asked about their plans to improve care in the region, with voters expressing frustration over wait times and the difficulty of finding a primary care provider in a rapidly growing community.

Transportation was a perennial issue for commuters along the Highway 400 corridor. GO Transit service to Barrie had been expanded, but residents sought more frequent and reliable connections to the Greater Toronto Area. Rising fuel costs added urgency to calls for better public transit options. Local employment was also a concern, with many residents noting the abundance of low-paying part-time positions and a shortage of higher-paying full-time jobs in the Barrie—Innisfil area.