Sikh temple in south Barrie gets help through strong mayor powers

Alex Nuttall is using his strong mayor powers to rezone south-Barrie land for a place of worship.

The Barrie mayor directed city staff to notify the Salem Landowner’s Group and property owners May 14 of the intention to rezone 264 Salem Rd., near Essa Road, from residential rural and environmental protection (EP) to neighbourhood residential and EP, to permit a place of worship — the Gurudwara Guru Tegh Bahadur Religious Society temple.

“This was about cutting red tape and moving efficiently on a matter that brings value to residents and reflects the cultural vibrancy of our city,” Nuttall said. “It's one more step toward making Barrie a place where everyone feels they belong.”

Amritpal Saini, a director on the temple’s board, said Monday he is aware of Nuttall’s actions.

“I assume he’s doing it to expedite it, because we can’t just sit on it," he said. "So when you have the property, which is for the purposes of a temple or church … it is a community project so you want to get it going.”

But the Salem Road facility had its grand opening there June 1.

The Sikh temple opened on the 350th martyrdom anniversary of the ninth Sikh guru, the namesake of the temple that will serve as a place of worship, as well as a community centre and a free daily community kitchen for all, run by volunteers.

“For years, members of our Sikh community have had to travel outside Barrie to attend temple,” Nuttall said. “By enabling a local place of worship, we’re responding to a real need and helping to strengthen community connections.”

“The normal procedure might take another six months or more, we don’t know,” Saini said of the rezoning. “I assume those (strong major) powers are given to him (Nuttall) for a reason.”  

A public meeting and city council’s consideration of the rezoning are to occur before council’s summer recess. The public meeting on this rezoning is scheduled for Wednesday during the city’s affordability committee meeting.

The same evening, city council will consider a bylaw to rezone 264 Salem Rd.

The property is almost three acres and located on the north side of Salem Road, east of Essa Road. The property has frontage of approximately 63 metres on Salem Road.

“Barrie is a growing, diverse city and it's essential that we create space for all communities to feel at home,” Nuttall said. “This decision supports our vision of an inclusive Barrie; one where people can live, work and play without leaving the city.”

The Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act amended the Municipal Act, 2001. 

Strong mayor powers were expanded to Nuttall and in 25 other large and fast-growing municipalities, on July 1, 2023. Mayors are required to exercise these powers in writing and make them available to the public.

Since Aug. 16, 2023, Nuttall has used his strong mayor powers 48 times, mostly related to bylaws.