Barrie Community News

Today, the Honorable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature and Minister responsible for the Canada Water Agency, announced over $4.5 million in funding for 39 new freshwater projects.

With the holidays fast approaching, Barrie and District Christmas Cheer remains more than $128,557 short of its fundraising goal, prompting the local charitable organization to update its wish list to include a renewed call for community support.

As many people prepare their final plans for the holidays, thousands across Simcoe County need help to even be able to celebrate, and now is the critical push for local charities to meet that demand. For instance, food bank dependence does not take a break during the holidays.

There would have been 1.5 million more Canadians who donated to charity in 2023—and $755.5 million more in donations—had Canadians given to the same extent they did 10 years prior

Nine days before Christmas, the Salvation Army is launching a desperate appeal for volunteers. The agency reports its seasonal goal is off by nearly 50 per cent, simply because of a lack of people to staff its Christmas kettles.

A recent Statistics Canada report shows differences in volunteerism rates by race and immigration status. About 70 per cent of racialized Canadians volunteered in 2023, compared with 74 per cent of white Canadians. Both groups were significantly more likely to volunteer informally, by directly helping people, than to volunteer formally with an organization.