The 2026 Barrie municipal election gives Ward 1 residents the opportunity to choose who will represent them at Barrie City Hall for the next four years.
On Monday, October 26, 2026, Barrie voters will elect their representatives for the next term of Council.
For Ward 1, this election is particularly important because residents will be choosing a new Ward 1 Councillor.
I’m Brent Bowser, and I’m running for Ward 1 Councillor because I believe residents deserve representation that starts with listening, focuses on practical solutions and remains accountable after Election Day.
Who Is Running in the Barrie Ward 1 Election?
There are six certified candidates running for Ward 1 Councillor in the 2026 Barrie municipal election:
- Stefano Agostino
- Shaughna Ainsworth
- Brent Bowser
- Christian Cadera
- Hafiz Rahman
- Pauline Stevenson
I encourage Ward 1 residents to learn about the candidates, ask questions and decide which person they believe will best represent their interests at City Hall.
For me, this campaign isn’t about telling residents what they should care about.
It’s about asking them.
Why I’m Running for Ward 1 Councillor
I spent 27 years at Honda Manufacturing, starting on the production line and eventually working in engineering, quality and factory-side project management.
One of the most important things that experience taught me was that you don’t solve problems by guessing.
You need to understand what’s actually happening first.
My approach is simple:
Learn. Understand. Act. Measure. Communicate.
Listen to the people involved.
Understand the current situation.
Identify the gaps.
Develop practical solutions.
Measure whether they’re working.
And communicate the results.
That’s the approach I want to bring to Barrie City Hall.
My Connection to Ward 1
I also believe it’s important to be straightforward about my connection to Ward 1.
I live one street outside the Ward 1 boundary, but Ward 1 is an important part of my family’s everyday life.
My children attend Codrington Public School, where I regularly attend school functions and stay involved with the school community.
Our family uses the North Shore Trail, parks and other public spaces throughout the ward.
For me, Ward 1 isn’t simply a line on a municipal map.
It’s a community my family is connected to and one whose future matters personally to me.
What Are the Major Issues in Ward 1?
Every neighbourhood is different, which is one reason I’m spending this campaign talking directly with residents.
There are, however, several important issues I believe deserve discussion during the Barrie Ward 1 election.
Public Safety and Public Spaces
Residents should be able to safely enjoy their streets, parks, trails and other public spaces.
We also need to approach homelessness, addiction and encampments seriously.
I believe people who need help should have access to support, while recognizing that public spaces need to remain safe and accessible for the entire community.
Responsible Growth and Development
Barrie is growing.
The question isn’t simply whether we grow. It’s whether our infrastructure and City services can keep pace with that growth.
Roads, transit, infrastructure and public services all need to be considered as new development occurs.
Residents should also have a meaningful opportunity to raise concerns and understand how those concerns are being addressed.
Responsible City Spending
Property taxes and City spending affect every homeowner, renter and business in Barrie.
Before supporting major spending decisions, I want to understand the need, long-term cost and expected outcome.
Then we need to measure whether taxpayers actually received the results they were promised.
Roads, Sidewalks and Infrastructure
Maintaining existing infrastructure matters.
Rather than making promises before understanding the situation, I want to identify the condition of Ward 1 infrastructure, understand where the biggest gaps exist and prioritize work based on actual need.
Parks, Trails and the North Shore
Ward 1 has some of Barrie’s most important public spaces.
Keeping parks and trails clean, safe and accessible should be a priority.
That means listening to residents who use these spaces and identifying where maintenance, safety or other improvements are required.
What Should Ward 1 Expect From Its Next Councillor?
There will always be disagreements about individual issues.
That’s part of democracy.
But regardless of the issue, I believe residents should expect several things from their councillor:
Accessibility. Communication. Accountability. Follow-through.
If elected, I want residents to know what I’m working on.
I want to explain important Council decisions and why I voted the way I did.
I want priorities and commitments to be publicly tracked so residents can see whether they’re Not Started, In Progress, Completed or Delayed.
And when something doesn’t happen as planned, residents deserve to know why.
This Election Starts With Listening
Between now and Election Day, I’ll be knocking on doors throughout Ward 1.
I’m going to ask residents one simple question:
What’s the one thing you’d most like to see improved in Ward 1?
Your answer matters.
It might be traffic on your street.
It might be taxes.
It might be development.
It might be public safety, sidewalks, parks, housing or something candidates haven’t talked about at all.
I want to hear it.
Because I don’t believe the priorities of Ward 1 should be determined solely by the person running for councillor.
They should be shaped by the people who live here.
Make Your Voice Heard in the 2026 Barrie Municipal Election
The Barrie municipal election takes place Monday, October 26, 2026.
Before you cast your vote, learn about the candidates. Ask questions. Talk to your neighbours. Decide what matters most to you and your family.
And if you see me knocking on your street, come say hello.
I’m looking forward to meeting as many Ward 1 residents as possible.
Brent Bowser
Candidate for Barrie City Council, Ward 1
Working for Ward 1. Together.
