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Ward 6 Councillor

3 certified candidates, listed alphabetically by last name.

Candidates

Nasar George Nader

Background
Ward 6 resident since 2022. Part-time educational assistant with the Simcoe County District School Board, with 25 years in customer service and hospitality and 25 years of volunteering. Came to Canada as a refugee and says he and his family were once homeless for a few months. First run for office in Barrie; no earlier Barrie ballot appearances on record since 2003.
Ward-specific priorities
Bringing residents together; says residents raise crime, mental health, homelessness and speeding.
Public record
Not yet reviewed.
Contact
Profile sources: City of Barrie [S001]; BarrieVotes.ca [S115]; BarrieToday [S116]

Nigussie Nigussie

Incumbent
Background
Came to Canada in 2008 as a political refugee from Ethiopia, first settling in Regina, Sask.; earlier worked as a freelance journalist and author. Public servant, social worker and community development professional. Ward 6 councillor since 2022 (30.0%), under the previous ward boundaries. Chairs the Seniors and Accessibility Advisory Committee; council appointee to the Barrie Public Library Board and the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit Board of Health.
Ward-specific priorities
A new crosswalk at Mapleton Avenue and Batteaux Street; flood mitigation near the Bear Creek Wetlands and Marta Crescent; the $5.6 million Tiffin Street reconstruction; protecting the Ardagh Bluffs and Beacon Glen trails; an annual resident outreach program.
Public record
Not yet reviewed.
Contact
Profile sources: City of Barrie [S001]; BarrieVotes.ca [S117]; Campaign [S118]; Campaign [S119]; BarrieToday [S120]

Christel Pena

Background
Came to Canada from Mexico 21 years ago; longtime Barrie resident and parent. Has held leadership roles in business operations, legal administration and accounting administration, including as a manager at a Canadian retail business. First run for office in Barrie; no earlier Barrie ballot appearances on record since 2003.
Ward-specific priorities
School transportation and school-zone traffic safety; transit; support for local businesses.
Public record
Not yet reviewed.
Contact
Profile sources: City of Barrie [S001]; BarrieVotes.ca [S122]; Campaign [S123]; BarrieToday [S125]

Compare positions

Each issue lists every candidate in the same alphabetical order.

Property taxes and budget

Nasar George Nader
No stated position found.
Nigussie Nigussie
Cites four years of 0% operating budget increases and responsible stewardship of tax dollars.
Sources: Campaign [S118]; BarrieToday [S120]
Context: Total property-tax increases, which include service partners such as police and the County of Simcoe, were 4.82% (2024), 4.31% (2025) and 3.95% (2026). The 0% applies to the City operating budget only; the City also kept a 2% infrastructure levy.
Sources: BarrieToday [S020]; BarrieToday [S021]; Barrie 360 [S018]; CTV News Barrie [S019]; BarrieToday [S022]; City of Barrie [S023]
Christel Pena
No stated position found.

Housing affordability

Nasar George Nader
Wants a solution for housing and mental health.
Source: BarrieToday [S116]
Nigussie Nigussie
Cites an approved 176-unit affordable housing project and nearly $100 million in housing and infrastructure funding.
Sources: Campaign [S118]; Campaign [S119]
Christel Pena
Says housing affordability requires a balanced approach.
Source: Campaign [S124]

Homelessness and encampments

Nasar George Nader
Says Barrie has more than 600 people living unhoused; links homelessness to housing and mental health.
Source: BarrieToday [S116]
Nigussie Nigussie
No stated position found.
Christel Pena
No stated position found.

Public safety and policing

Nasar George Nader
Says residents report rising crime and speeding, and that many are afraid to take their families to the waterfront; wants all three levels of government to work together on these issues.
Source: BarrieToday [S116]
Nigussie Nigussie
Cites $3.8 million invested in pedestrian safety.
Source: Campaign [S118]
Christel Pena
Says school zones can feel too busy or unsafe and traffic patterns don't reflect common-sense realities; wants a safe, connected Ward 6.
Source: BarrieToday [S125]

Transit and roads

Nasar George Nader
Says roads are getting worse and traffic will grow as many new homes are built.
Source: BarrieToday [S116]
Nigussie Nigussie
Says council approved a second day of free transit for seniors at his request; roads and services should be built to support growth.
Sources: Campaign [S118]; CompassNews [S121]; BarrieToday [S120]
Christel Pena
Will work with the city to review transit routes and service frequency along major roads in Ward 6.
Sources: Campaign [S123]; BarrieToday [S125]

Strong-mayor powers

Nasar George Nader
No stated position found.
Nigussie Nigussie
No stated position found.
Christel Pena
No stated position found.

Growth and development

Nasar George Nader
No stated position found.
Nigussie Nigussie
Manage growth by staying ahead with smart infrastructure.
Sources: CompassNews [S121]; BarrieToday [S120]
Christel Pena
"Growth is inevitable. Poor planning is not."
Source: Campaign [S124]

Addiction and public drug use

Nasar George Nader
No stated position found.
Nigussie Nigussie
No stated position found.
Christel Pena
No stated position found.

Jobs and economic development

Nasar George Nader
More jobs for future generations in the skilled trades and as first responders, teachers and nurses.
Source: BarrieToday [S116]
Nigussie Nigussie
No stated position found.
Christel Pena
Will work with local business owners to understand their challenges.
Source: Campaign [S123]

E-bikes and e-scooters

Nasar George Nader
No stated position found.
Nigussie Nigussie
No stated position found.
Christel Pena
No stated position found.

Transparency and council accountability

Nasar George Nader
No stated position found.
Nigussie Nigussie
Introduced an annual resident outreach program for direct engagement with residents.
Source: BarrieToday [S120]
Christel Pena
Says neighbourhoods thrive when communication is open and community engagement is real; wants longtime residents and newcomers to feel heard.
Source: BarrieToday [S125]

Parks, green space and environment

Nasar George Nader
No stated position found.
Nigussie Nigussie
Points to $1.17 million for flood mitigation on Marta Crescent, $100,000 in Ferndale Woods Park improvements and his support for protecting the Ardagh Bluffs and Beacon Glen trails.
Source: BarrieToday [S120]
Christel Pena
No stated position found.