Your GO Train ride just got more expensive
Good morning from the gateway — Lake Simcoe's awake, the 400 is already packed, and Barrie's got growing pains. Let's talk about it. So, you know how everyone talks about Barrie being a commuter city? Like it's just a place to sleep before you hop on the GO train at Allandale Waterfront or Barrie South to head to Toronto? Well, it turns out that whole system, the one so many people rely on, is apparently generating some serious cash for the people running our colleges. And I’m not talking about tuition.
The Buzz: Half-Million Dollar Paydays
Okay, so here's what's actually happening: The presidents of Ontario's 24 publicly funded colleges were pulling in an average of $507,000 each in 2025. That's according to the annual Sunshine List. And this isn't just a quiet little line item; the Ford government is now saying they're "paying attention" to these figures. What makes this even more wild, especially for us here in Barrie, is that this is happening while colleges across the province are laying off staff. We've seen hundreds of those jobs disappear, largely because of the federal cap on international student numbers. It really makes you wonder about priorities, doesn't it?
* **Financial Disparity:** College presidents' salaries are soaring, while regular staff face layoffs. * **Government Scrutiny:** The province is "paying attention" to these high salaries, suggesting potential changes or investigations. * **Local Impact:** For families in Barrie with kids heading to college, or those who work there, this feels like a punch to the gut when they're already worried about tuition increases or job security.
For Barrie residents, especially those living in the rapidly expanding south-end subdivisions who are counting on those jobs and that educational infrastructure, this isn't just some abstract provincial issue. This is about the value of public education and where our tax dollars are actually going. We're a city that prides itself on community, on growing smart, not just fast. When you see numbers like this, it makes you question if the people at the top of these institutions, places meant to serve our communities, are really aligned with the struggles of everyday people commuting down the 400 or trying to afford a place near Dunlop Street.
You've got to hear Keith and the gang unpack this one; they're live every morning over at mornings.live.