Questions · 3 so far
We read Gordon-Barrie Island's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 21 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.
These are unusual enough that residents deserve a clear answer from council.
+10%town property tax, 2024 to 2025
In 2025, Gordon-Barrie Island collected $133K more in its own property tax than in 2024. That is a 10% jump, while prices went up about 2.1%. Only 1 of 21 similar towns raised theirs by more.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
$315Kowed in unpaid property tax, end of 2025
At the end of 2025, $315K of property tax had been billed but not paid. That is 18% of everything billed. Only 4 of 21 similar towns had a higher share. A year earlier it was $252K.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
There may well be a good reason. It is still worth asking what it is.
On October 10, 2026 we opened the Municipality's home page, its Government, Agendas and Minutes, By-Laws & Policies and Newsletters pages, and its Contact page. None links to audited financial statements, a budget or a council pay statement. The By-Laws & Policies page does post the 2026 tax rates by-law and a 2022 asset management plan.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 6 sources
+10%town property tax, 2024 to 2025
In 2025, Gordon-Barrie Island collected $133K more in its own property tax than in 2024. That is a 10% jump, while prices went up about 2.1%. Only 1 of 21 similar towns raised theirs by more.
| Year | Town property tax |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $1.0M |
| 2020 | $1.1M |
| 2021 | $1.2M |
| 2022 | $1.2M |
| 2023 | $1.3M |
| 2024 | $1.3M |
| 2025 | $1.5M |
A big one-year jump usually means something changed: a new cost, a service that grew, savings being rebuilt, or a problem from earlier years being paid for now. Residents should be able to see exactly which. Spread across every home, it is about $452 more each year.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Gordon-Barrie Island? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Town property tax: $1,345,546 in 2024, $1,478,898 in 2025.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 10, line 9940 · archived copy
Typical increase among 21 similar Ontario towns: 4.7%. Gordon-Barrie Island ranks 2nd highest.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 21 similar municipalities · Schedule 10, line 9940 · archived copy
Prices (inflation) rose 2.1% over the same year.
$315Kowed in unpaid property tax, end of 2025
At the end of 2025, $315K of property tax had been billed but not paid. That is 18% of everything billed. Only 4 of 21 similar towns had a higher share. A year earlier it was $252K.
| Year | Unpaid property tax at year end |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $254K |
| 2020 | $247K |
| 2021 | $336K |
| 2022 | $352K |
| 2023 | $363K |
| 2024 | $252K |
| 2025 | $315K |
When taxes go unpaid, everyone else carries the cost, and the town may borrow to cover the gap. The Province's financial indicators treat 10% to 15% as a moderate risk and more than 15% as a high risk. Collection is the town's job, so a rising number is worth asking about.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Gordon-Barrie Island? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Taxes receivable: 2019 $254K, 2020 $247K, 2021 $336K, 2022 $352K, 2023 $363K, 2024 $252K, 2025 $315K. Of the 2025 total, $99,653 was from earlier years.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 70, lines 0610 to 0699 · archived copy
Typical among similar towns: 10.3% of taxes billed.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 21 similar municipalities · Schedules 26 and 70 · archived copy
On October 10, 2026 we opened the Municipality's home page, its Government, Agendas and Minutes, By-Laws & Policies and Newsletters pages, and its Contact page. None links to audited financial statements, a budget or a council pay statement. The By-Laws & Policies page does post the 2026 tax rates by-law and a 2022 asset management plan.
Residents can only judge spending they can see. Many property owners live elsewhere and follow the Municipality through its website.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Gordon-Barrie Island? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The home page lists the next council meeting (November 3, 2026), fire permit notices, a newsletter and volunteer openings. It does not link to financial statements, a budget or a council pay statement.
Home page (Municipality of Gordon/Barrie Island) · Whole page, read October 10, 2026
The page lists the municipal office, staff contacts and the Reeve and four Councillors. It does not link to financial statements, a budget or a council pay statement.
Contact page (Municipality of Gordon/Barrie Island) · Township Council list, read October 10, 2026
The page lists a revised accessibility plan and local notices. It does not link to financial statements, a budget or a council pay statement.
Government page (Municipality of Gordon/Barrie Island) · Whole page, read October 10, 2026
The page lists agendas for July 2025 and June 2025 and minutes from January 2025 to January 2026. It does not list financial statements, a budget or a council pay statement.
Agendas and Minutes page (Municipality of Gordon/Barrie Island) · Agendas and Minutes lists, read October 10, 2026
The page lists By-Law 2026-09 (Tax Rates 2026), By-Law 2025-15 (Tax Rates 2025), other by-laws, accessibility documents, a transfer station policy and an asset management plan (GB_AMP_2022_Final.pdf). It does not list financial statements, a budget or a council pay statement.
By-Laws & Policies page (Municipality of Gordon/Barrie Island) · Whole page, read October 10, 2026
The page lists newsletters as downloads from November 2023 to November 2025. None is labelled as financial statements, a budget or a council pay statement. The October and November 2025 newsletters are images.
Newsletters page (Municipality of Gordon/Barrie Island) · Current Newsletter and Newsletter Archive lists, read October 10, 2026