RIDING PROFILE: BARRIE-INNISFIL

FROM ITS SIZE TO ITS 2022 ONTARIO ELECTION CANDIDATES, WE BREAK DOWN THE RIDING

THE RIDING

The provincial riding of Barrie-Innisfil includes a southern portion of the City of Barrie and the entire municipality of Innisfil, covering about 382 square kilometres. The riding has a population of 109,285, according to the latest Statistics Canada count in 2016.

THE RACE

Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario: Andrea Khanjin

Khanjin, 34, is the incumbent candidate. She has served as a Member of Provincial Parliament for Barrie-Innisfil since the last election in 2018.

New Democratic Party of Ontario: Pekka Reinio

Reinio is a 54-year-old teacher. This is his second time running as the provincial NDP candidate for Barrie-Innisfil.

Green Party of Ontario: Bonnie North

North, 62, has been active as candidate for the Green Party of Ontario in Barrie since 2014. She has also run as candidate in federal and municipal elections.

New Blue Party of Ontario:

Ashyln Steele

Steele is the local candidate for the newly formed New Blue Party of Ontario THE ISSUES

• Affordability — housing prices have soared across Ontario. The average sale price of a home in Barrie in March 2022 was about $930,000. The inflation rate in Canada rose to 6.7 per cent in March yearover-year, adding costs to goods like gasoline and groceries for residents of Barrie-Innisfil.

• Health care and the economy — Before the pandemic many residents commuted for work, and many still do. Bringing local jobs and better health care to the region is key to improving the quality life for residents.

• The environment — the population of Simcoe County is set to grow to half a million people by 2051. Where these people will live and work, and the impact of the development and infrastructure on the environment and areas like Lake Simcoe, needs careful consideration.

BACKGROUND: The riding was created in 2015, to bring the provincial riding boundaries into line with the federal riding of BarrieInnisfil. The seat was first contested in 2018, with Khanjin elected as MPP. of