I’m running for Ward 1 Councillor in Barrie because I believe residents deserve a councillor who listens first, asks questions, follows through and keeps people informed.
I’m not running because I believe I have all the answers.
I’m running because I know how to find answers, solve problems and bring people together to get results.
After 27 years at Honda Manufacturing, including working as a factory-side project manager, I learned that good decisions don’t start with assumptions.
They start by understanding the problem.
That’s the approach I want to bring to Barrie City Hall.
Learn. Understand. Act. Measure. Communicate.
Why Ward 1?
There’s an important question I’ve been asked during this campaign:
“Brent, if you live just outside Ward 1, why are you running here?”
It’s a fair question, and one I’m happy to answer.
I live one street outside the Ward 1 boundary, but Ward 1 is a significant part of my family’s everyday life.
My children attend Codrington Public School. I’m involved in their school community and regularly attend school functions.
Our family walks the North Shore Trail, uses Ward 1’s parks and public spaces, and spends a great deal of time in this part of Barrie.
I’ve also seen some of the challenges facing the area firsthand.
For me, Ward 1 isn’t simply a boundary on a municipal map.
It’s part of the community where my family lives its life and where my children are growing up.
Why Not Run in Ward 2?
I’ve also been asked why I didn’t simply run in the ward where I live.
I considered where I believed I could make the greatest contribution.
With Ward 1 Councillor Clare Riepma not seeking another term, Ward 1 has an open race in the 2026 municipal election.
I saw an opportunity to put my experience forward and give Ward 1 residents another choice for how they want to be represented at City Hall.
I’m not running against the work of another councillor.
I’m running for the opportunity to serve Ward 1.
27 Years of Learning How to Solve Problems
My professional background has a lot to do with why I’ve decided to run.
I spent 27 years at Honda Manufacturing.
I started on the production line and eventually moved through engineering, quality and new-model factory-side project management.
As a project manager, I was responsible for coordinating people, schedules and competing priorities. When something went off track, we couldn’t simply complain about the problem.
We had to determine what was actually happening.
What’s the current situation?
What’s the gap?
What’s causing it?
What can we realistically do about it?
Then we developed a plan, assigned responsibilities, measured the results and communicated our progress.
That’s how I’ve approached problems throughout my career.
And it’s how I believe municipal issues should be approached.
Listening Before Making Promises
One thing you won’t hear from me during this campaign is that I already know how to fix everything at City Hall.
I don’t.
And I don’t believe candidates should make promises before understanding the complete situation.
That’s why I’m spending so much of this campaign knocking on doors and talking directly with Ward 1 residents.
I want to know what’s happening on your street.
What’s working?
What isn’t?
What concerns you?
And what are candidates talking about that isn’t actually a priority for you?
Those conversations will help shape what I work on.
What I’m Hearing in Ward 1
There are already several themes coming up in conversations with residents.
Public safety. Responsible growth. Housing affordability. Roads and infrastructure. Property taxes and City spending. Parks and trails. Traffic and road safety. Local businesses.
My campaign website identifies traffic and road safety, responsible growth, housing and affordability, parks and recreation, infrastructure and an accountable City Hall among the campaign’s current priorities.
But identifying an issue isn’t the same as pretending there’s an easy solution.
I want to understand the current situation, determine what the City is already doing, identify the gaps and then work toward practical solutions that make sense for Ward 1 and Barrie taxpayers.
Accountability Matters to Me
There’s another major reason I’m running.
I believe residents deserve to know what happens after the election.
Campaign promises are easy to make.
Following through is harder.
If elected, I want residents to be able to see what I’m working on, what’s progressing, what’s delayed and what’s been completed.
I want to provide regular Ward 1 updates, explain important Council decisions and create a public accountability system for tracking priorities and commitments.
And if something can’t be accomplished, I’ll explain why.
Accountability shouldn’t end when the votes are counted.
The Kind of Councillor I Want to Be
I don’t want to be a councillor residents only hear from when another election approaches.
I want to be accessible.
I want residents to contact me when something isn’t working.
I want to hear from people who disagree with me.
And before making important decisions, I want to understand the people those decisions will affect.
My job won’t be to have every answer.
My job will be to listen, ask the right questions, bring the right people together and work toward the best outcome for Ward 1.
Why I’m Asking for Your Vote
Barrie’s municipal election takes place October 26, 2026, and Ward 1 residents will choose their next councillor.
I’m asking for your vote because I believe my experience, problem-solving approach and commitment to communication can make a positive contribution at City Hall.
But before I ask you what you think of my priorities, I’d rather ask you something else:
What’s the one thing you’d most like to see improved in Ward 1?
Tell me.
If I have the opportunity to represent you, that’s where the work starts.
Brent Bowser
Candidate for Barrie City Council, Ward 1
