Barrie mayor pushes for jail or rehab for drug offenders in zero-tolerance plan

The Barrie mayor did not mince words, calling out “lawlessness” in the downtown core as he advanced a zero-tolerance plan that could see drug offenders jailed.

Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall did not mince words, calling out what he describes as “lawlessness” in the downtown core as he advanced a zero-tolerance plan that could see drug offenders jailed or sent to rehab.

On Wednesday, the mayor elaborated on his proposal to restore public safety in the city, while other levels of government also weighed in.

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Mayor Nuttall has made it clear he feels the law does not fully apply to those who use and sell drugs.

“Many of our citizens feel like, why is there one set of rules for one group of people and another set of rules for another group of people,” Nuttall said.

Barrie zeroes in on tougher drug enforcement

The mayor is outlining what he calls a zero-tolerance approach, one that would shut down four alleged illegal drug dispensaries on Dunlop Street East and could promptly send perpetrators to rehab or jail.

His motion would have city staff send a letter to the Barrie Police Services Board, making clear the city’s support for zero-tolerance enforcement and requesting information on how the city could support that kind of policy.

The mayor does not have the authority to direct police operations.

“If somebody is smoking crack or doing some form of fentanyl or heroin or whatever they’re doing, that we have a police service out to lay charges in those circumstances and hopefully transition those people into a program that will help them get off of those types of addictions and drugs,” Nuttall said in an interview with CTV News.

The mayor is also calling for tougher penalties from the federal government, compassionate and mandatory intervention from the province and expanded outreach services on the ground.

County of Simcoe backs coordinated approach

Part of the motion includes a direct request to Simcoe County for the immediate transfer of specialized outreach funding and responsibility from the county to the City of Barrie. Homelessness response in the city is currently handled by county staff, with the city in a support role.

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“We need more control over what’s happening in social services because we’re the ones experiencing it,” Nuttall said. “It’s also important that we have the necessary outreach out there to offer the help and support to get into rehabilitation,” he added.

In anticipation of taking over outreach responsibilities, the motion would create five new full-time positions: a Program Manager of Social Services Oversight and Strategy, an Encampment Response Team Lead and three Encampment Response Officers. Those roles would focus on homelessness and encampment response.

In a statement to CTV News, Simcoe County said it supports the city’s vision to address community needs and remains committed to its partnership on housing supports and coordinated outreach.

Police reaffirm duty to operate within constraints

Barrie Police Chief Rich Johnston reaffirmed the service’s commitment to public safety and enforcing the law, while noting officers cannot change the law itself.

“There are restrictions around what we can do and what people may think we are able to do, and so as police officers it is our duty to remain within those constraints,” Johnston said.

Further to the mayor’s promise to crack down on illegal dispensaries, including marijuana and mushroom shops, the motion proposes a zoning bylaw amendment that would disqualify illegal retail uses.

That would allow the city to target not only the businesses themselves with fines and shutdown notices, but also property owners who host them.

Once approved, staff would be directed to serve notices to businesses and landlords found in violation.

“We are going to shut down illegal drug dispensaries in the City of Barrie. If you run a mushroom shop, we are going to find a way to shut you down,” said Nuttall. “If you run an illegal and unlicensed marijuana shop, we are coming for your storefront.”

The Premier’s Office pointed to its investment in HART hubs and its move to close drug injection sites.

Province exploring expanded treatment options

In a statement to CTV News, the province said the use of toxic illegal drugs makes communities unsafe and that it is exploring options for expanded addiction treatment units and programming for people in correctional institutions or on probation or parole.

Nuttall’s motion also calls on staff to send letters to the federal government seeking support for the removal of all illegal mushroom shops in Barrie, and for expanded diversion programs for non-violent and non-trafficking addiction-related charges, including mandatory rehabilitation.

He is also asking the province to amend the Mental Health Act to include mandatory rehabilitation or compassionate intervention.

“We need to be proactive. That’s going to have a positive effect on the streets of Barrie. It’s also going to have a positive effect on those lives that we’re hoping to encourage and change for the better,” Nuttall said.

The federal Department of Justice was unable to provide a formal statement to CTV News. However, Nuttall confirms he is in talks with federal Justice Minister Sean Fraser and Ontario Attorney General Doug Downey, and says they will work toward solutions.

With files from CTV’s Mike Lang, Julianna Balsamo, Jack Morse and Jocelyn Martin