We will no longer be supporting IE7 and below as a web browser effective June 1st 2020. Click here for more information.

Sign In
Skip Navigation LinksAbout-Simcoe-County About Simcoe County
Skip Navigation LinksImmigration Simcoe > Welcome > About Simcoe County

About Simcoe County

 

 

Choosing Simcoe CountyChoosing Simcoe County<p>Simcoe County is located less than an hour north of the City of Toronto, which makes it an ideal location to raise a family while remaining close to one of the largest cities in Canada. The area not only attracts residents looking for lifestyle options but also industry seeking opportunity for growth and a qualified workforce. Simcoe County boasts excellent regional health-care and education facilities, vibrant and unique rural and urban communities, and a host of leisure and recreation opportunities. You’ll find what you’re looking for here, in Simcoe County.</p><p><img src="/PublishingImages/map_f.jpg" alt="" style="margin:5px;width:468px;" /></p><p>​</p>
Levels of Government in Simcoe CountyLevels of Government in Simcoe County<p>There are three levels of government in Canada: federal, provincial and municipal. Each level of government is responsible for different programs, services and laws. When you have a question or concern about a government matter, you should contact your appropriate local government representative.</p><p>The federal government is the Government of Canada. Your local representative of the federal government is called a Member of Parliament (MP). To find out who your local Member of Parliament is and how to contact them, <a href="http://www.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Compilations/HouseOfCommons/MemberByPostalCode.aspx?Menu=HOC" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">use the provided information</font></a>.</p><p>The provincial government is the Government of Ontario. Your local representative of the provincial government is called a Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP). To find out who your local Member of Provincial Parliament is and how to contact them, <a href="http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/members/members_current.do" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">follow the instructions in the provided link</font></a>.</p><p>The County of Simcoe is an upper-tier municipal government. To learn more about the municipal government in Simcoe County and to find out who your municipal representative is, visit the <a href="http://www.simcoe.ca/dpt/clk/aboutcc" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">Simcoe County Governance section</font></a>.</p>
Governance in Simcoe CountyGovernance in Simcoe County<p>The County of Simcoe is the upper-tier municipal government in Simcoe County, and is comprised of 16 member municipalities, which include a diverse range of towns and townships. The cities of Barrie and Orillia, the First Nations reserves of Mnjikaning First Nation and Christian Island, and Canadian Forces Base Borden are also located within the geographic region of Simcoe County; however, these communities have separate political and administrative structures.</p><p>As an upper-tier municipality, the County of Simcoe is responsible for a range of municipal services, which include social housing, land ambulance and emergency planning, environmental services (solid waste management), a County road system, Ontario Works, children’s services, homes for the aged, a library co-operative, museum, archives, County forest management, tourism, a Geographic Information System (computer mapping), and land use policy planning.</p><p>Lower-tier municipalities are responsible for water and sewer services, local roads, public libraries, recreation services, fire and police services, land use development control, licensing and permitting services.</p><p>Visit the County of Simcoe website to learn more about the <a href="http://www.simcoe.ca/dpt/clk/aboutcc" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">governance structure in Simcoe County</font></a>.</p><div> <a href="/welcome/Documents/Simcoe%20County%20Municipal%20Map.pdf" target="_blank"><img src="/PublishingImages/county_base_map_468.jpg" alt="" style="margin:5px;" /></a></div><div><a href="/welcome/Documents/Simcoe%20County%20Municipal%20Map.pdf" target="_blank"><img class="ms-asset-icon ms-rtePosition-4" src="/_layouts/images/icpdf.png" alt="" style="margin:5px;width:16px;" /><font color="#0066cc">View PDF version of Simcoe County Municipal Map</font></a></div><div><a href="http://maps.simcoe.ca/public/?THEME=LOCALIMMIGRATION&MODE=THEME" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc"><img class="ms-asset-icon ms-rtePosition-4" src="/_layouts/images/icgen.gif" alt="" style="margin:5px;width:16px;" /></font><font color="#0066cc">View Interactive Simcoe County Map</font></a></div><div> </div>
Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)<p>We get results for member municipalities because we listen, unite and influence.</p><div class="wwd-block clearfix"><div class="img" style="text-align:center;"><img title="Listen" class="ms-rtePosition-1" src="http://www.fcm.ca/Images/what-we-do/page-images/What-we-do-Listen.jpg" alt="" style="margin:5px;width:292px;" /> </div><div class="wwd-content"><h2>Listen</h2><p>We are cities and communities from every corner of Canada, and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) is our chosen national voice. Through FCM, we listen to each other, to our partners and to decision-makers in the Government of Canada. Listening allows us to understand what is happening in big cities and small towns, what are the priorities of the federal government and how we can work effectively with our partners.</p><p>Most importantly, listening gives us the power to build constructive relationships that benefit all parties involved.</p></div></div><div class="wwd-block clearfix"><div class="img" style="text-align:center;"><img class="ms-rtePosition-2" src="http://www.fcm.ca/Images/what-we-do/page-images/Unite_EN.png" alt="" style="margin:5px;width:292px;" /></div><div class="wwd-content"><h2>Unite</h2><p>Coming together as one is how we, as Canadian municipalities, achieve our goals and deliver services that provide the best possible quality of life to our citizens. Through FCM's Annual Conference, Board meetings, <a href="http://www.fcm.ca/home/about-us/board-of-directors/governance-structure/standing-committees-and-forums.htm" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">committees, policy forums </font></a>and <a href="http://www.fcm.ca/home/programs.htm" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">programs</font></a>, we work side-by-side to identify our challenges, analyze options and develop effective ways to overcome the issues we face.</p><p>The result: we forge a strong bond and speak with one united voice on issues that affect communities large and small.</p></div></div><div class="wwd-block clearfix"><div class="img" style="text-align:center;"><img class="ms-rtePosition-2" src="http://www.fcm.ca/Images/what-we-do/page-images/influence_infrastructure.jpg" alt="" style="margin:5px;width:292px;" /></div><div class="wwd-content"><h2>Influence</h2><p>Influencing policy and programs that fall within federal jurisdiction is vital to helping us build strong, sustainable communities across the country and share our expertise around the world. From <a href="http://www.fcm.ca/home/issues/infrastructure.htm" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">roads</font></a> and <a href="http://www.fcm.ca/home/issues/affordable-housing.htm" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">housing </font></a>to <font color="#0066cc">policing </font>and <a href="https://www.fcm.ca/home/events/past-conferences/international-perspectives-on-green-innovation-at-the-municipal-level.htm" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">green innovation</font></a>, municipalities contribute greatly to the quality of life in Canada and abroad – yet, our role is not fully understood. Through FCM, we are changing this.</p><p>FCM tells the story of the millions of lives we impact every day. Speaking as one, we talk persuasively, we talk credibly and we strive to ensure federal decision-making reflects the needs of our constituents.</p><h2><a href="http://www.fcm.ca/Documents/tools/Women/Removing_the_Barriers_to_Yound_Womens_Participation_in_Local_Government_EN.pdf" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">Removing the Barriers to Young Women's Participation in Local Government</font></a></h2><p>The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) is proud to present this guidebook.  The purpose of the guidebook is twofold.  First, it describes the lessons and experiences of six municipal working groups from all regions of Canada that took part in FCM's Head Start Program.  Second, it presents a practical approach that may be used to create additional Head Start groups that support young women's participation in local government.</p></div></div><p>​</p>
Simcoe County Municipal WebsitesSimcoe County Municipal Websites<div>Here is a list of links to each of the local municipal websites:</div><div><em><span lang="EN" style="color:#444444;font-family:"verdana", "sans-serif";font-size:10pt;">The information listed below was provided by 211 Community Connection.</span></em><span lang="EN" style="color:#444444;font-family:"verdana", "sans-serif";font-size:10pt;"></span></div><div><span lang="EN" style="color:#444444;font-family:"verdana", "sans-serif";font-size:10pt;"></span> </div><table width="100%" class="ms-rteTable-6" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr class="ms-rteTableHeaderRow-6"><th class="ms-rteTableHeaderEvenCol-6" style="width:50%;">​</th><th class="ms-rteTableHeaderOddCol-6" style="width:50%;">​</th></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-6"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-6" style="width:50%;"><a href="http://www.townofbwg.com/" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury</font></a><br>905-775-5366</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-6" style="width:50%;"><a href="http://www.townshipofsevern.com/" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">Township of Severn </font></a><br>705-325-2315</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-6"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-6"><a href="http://www.town.collingwood.on.ca/" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">Town of Collingwood</font></a> <br>705-445-1030 </td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-6"><a href="http://www.springwater.ca/" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">Township of Springwater</font></a><br>705-728-4784 </td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-6"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-6"><a href="http://town.midland.on.ca/" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">Town of Midland </font></a><br>705-526-4275</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-6"><a href="http://www.tay.ca/en/" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">Tay Township </font></a><br>705-534-7248</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-6"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-6"><a href="http://newtecumseth.ca/" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">Town of New Tecumseth</font></a><br>705-435-6219<br>905-729-0057</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-6"><a href="http://www.tiny.ca/" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">Township of Tiny</font></a><br>705-526-4204<br>1-866-939-8469 </td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-6"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-6"><a href="http://www.townshipadjtos.on.ca/" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">Township of Adjala-Tosorontio </font></a><br>705-434-5055</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-6"><a href="http://www.chimnissing.ca/" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">Christian Island</font></a><br>705-247-2051 </td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-6"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-6"><a href="http://www.essatownship.on.ca/" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">Township of Essa</font></a><br>705-424-9770 </td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-6"><a href="http://www.mnjikaning.ca/" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">Mnjikaning First Nation</font></a><br>705-325-3611<br>1-866-854-2121</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-6"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-6"><a href="http://www.oro-medonte.ca/" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">Township of Oro-Medonte</font></a><br>705-487-2171 </td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-6"><a href="http://www.barrie.ca/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">City of Barrie</font></a><br>705-726-4242 </td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-6"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-6"><a href="http://www.ramara.ca/" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">Township of Ramara</font></a><br>705-484-5374 </td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-6"><a href="http://www.orillia.ca/en/" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">City of Orillia</font></a><br>705-325-5178 </td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableFooterRow-6"><td class="ms-rteTableFooterEvenCol-6">​</td><td class="ms-rteTableFooterOddCol-6">​</td></tr></tbody></table><h2> </h2>