Amanda Fellows for City Council - Ward 8
Bringing authentic, proactive & transparent leadership to Ward 8.
About me.
Ward 8 has been home for almost my entire life.
I grew up here. I went to school here. I spent time at Shear Park, walked these neighbourhoods, and eventually chose to raise my own family here. I’ve watched Ward 8 — and Barrie — grow and change, and I care deeply about what our community becomes next.
I’m running for City Council because I believe Ward 8 is ready for a new voice.
For more than 15 years, my career in the nonprofit and social service sector has put me at tables where difficult community problems don’t have easy answers. I’ve learned how to bring people together, build partnerships, manage limited resources, listen to different perspectives and, most importantly, turn conversations into action.
That experience has also given me a close-up view of some of the challenges facing our city. Housing is increasingly out of reach. Homelessness has grown. Families are feeling squeezed by the cost of living. Our city is growing quickly, and residents are asking whether our roads, infrastructure, parks and services are keeping pace.
I don’t believe municipal government can solve every problem. But I do believe it has a responsibility to use the tools it has well — and to be honest with residents about what it can do, what it can’t, and what it is fighting for.
I want residents to know why I voted the way I did. I want people to feel comfortable reaching out even when they disagree with me. I want development decisions to consider the neighbourhoods around them, not just the application in front of us. And when we spend taxpayer dollars, I want us to be able to clearly explain the value residents are getting in return.
Most of all, I want to be the kind of councillor who stays connected to the people I represent long after the election is over.
Because your voice shouldn’t end on Election Day - it should begin there.
Meet my family.
My husband, Emmanuel, and I first met as kids when we both lived on Carol Road. Years later, we built our life together right here in the same community. Today, we live on Glenridge Road, where we are raising our two children.
Our daughter, Teagan, is 17. She attended St. John Vianney, the same school I did, and recently graduated from St. Peter's and is starting her next chapter at Georgian College this fall.
Our son, Hawksley, is 10 and is following in his sisters footsteps. He is also an avid hockey player and we spend a lot of early mornings at the Allandale Rec Centre!
Like so many families in Ward 8, our lives have been shaped by the schools, parks, streets, neighbours and community around us. We've watched our kids grow up here, made lifelong friendships here and built a life we're incredibly grateful for.
Why vote for me?
EXPERIENCED LEADERSHIP
For more than 15 years, I’ve led teams, managed budgets, built partnerships and developed programs that respond to complex community needs. I know how to balance competing priorities, work within limited resources and turn good ideas into action.
I’m ready to bring that experience to City Hall.
A NEW PERSPECTIVE
I’m not a career politician. I bring real-world experience working with government, community organizations and residents on issues including housing, poverty, mental health and affordability.
I believe we can be fiscally responsible while still building a city that works for everyone — and I’m willing to ask tough questions when something isn’t working.
Ward 8 deserves a strong voice at the table.
ROOTED IN WARD 8
Being rooted in Ward 8 means understanding that our neighbourhoods are more than lines on a map. They have history, character and people who care deeply about what happens here.
As Ward 8 grows and changes, I want residents to have a strong voice in shaping what comes next. That means protecting what works, addressing what doesn't, and making sure decisions at City Hall reflect the realities of the people and neighbourhoods they affect.
I know this community. I care about its future. And I'll fight to make sure Ward 8 has a strong voice at City Hall.
My Platform.
PEOPLE-FIRST LEADERSHIP
A successful city should work for the people who live in it.
My professional career has given me a close-up view of poverty, housing instability, homelessness, mental health challenges and the increasing affordability pressures facing individuals and families.
Municipal government cannot solve these issues alone — but the decisions made at City Hall absolutely affect them.
I will advocate for:
More affordable and diverse housing options, including supportive and non-market housing.
Practical, evidence-informed responses to homelessness that recognize both community safety and human dignity.
Strong partnerships with nonprofit organizations, healthcare, police, businesses and other levels of government.
Accessible parks, recreation, transit and public spaces.
Community safety approaches that address immediate concerns while also recognizing the underlying root causes contributing to them.
Strong advocacy to provincial and federal governments when solutions require action beyond municipal jurisdiction.
I believe fiscal responsibility and compassion can exist at the same table. In fact, some of our most expensive problems become more expensive when we continually respond to crises instead of addressing what is driving them.
THOUGHTFUL GROWTH
Growth should make our communities stronger — not simply bigger.
Barrie is going to grow, and Ward 8 will be part of that growth. I support development that adds needed housing and contributes positively to our city, but every development needs to be considered within the bigger picture.
That means looking at the cumulative impact of development on traffic, roads, schools, parks, infrastructure and existing neighbourhoods — not evaluating each application in isolation.
I will advocate for:
Development that respects existing neighbourhoods, character and heritage while accommodating responsible growth.
Protecting our tree canopy and green spaces as Barrie grows.
Infrastructure and community services that keep pace with development.
Meaningful opportunities for residents to understand and provide input on projects affecting their neighbourhoods.
A stronger focus on housing options that people at different incomes and stages of life can actually afford.
Long-term planning that considers the cumulative impact of multiple developments within the same area.
Growth is inevitable. Poorly planned growth isn't.
RESPONSIBLE SPENDING
Every tax dollar deserves the same scrutiny we expect residents to give their own household budgets.
Barrie residents are facing increasing costs everywhere they turn. Property taxes are part of that pressure, and Council has a responsibility to demonstrate that residents are receiving real value for the money they contribute.
Responsible spending doesn't simply mean cutting services. It means setting priorities, measuring results and being willing to question spending when the value isn't clear.
I will push for:
Clearer information about where taxpayer dollars are going.
Strong scrutiny of major spending decisions and long-term financial commitments.
Greater focus on outcomes and value for money.
Investment in core infrastructure and services before unnecessary extras.
Long-term financial planning that considers what today's decisions will cost taxpayers tomorrow.
Sometimes Council will have to make difficult financial decisions. When that happens, residents deserve to understand what we're spending, why we're spending it and what we're getting in return.
TRANSPARENT & ACCOUNTABLE LEADERSHIP
Your voice shouldn't end on Election Day. It should begin there.
Being elected doesn't mean having all the answers. It means having a responsibility to listen, communicate and explain the decisions you make.
Residents shouldn't have to follow hours of Council meetings or dig through lengthy reports to understand what is happening in their own neighbourhood.
As your councillor, I will:
Provide regular, plain-language updates about Council decisions and Ward 8 issues.
Make it easy for residents to reach me and receive a response.
Create opportunities for conversations throughout the ward — not only during an election.
Explain how and why I vote on significant issues.
Be honest when I disagree, when a decision is difficult, or when something residents want isn't within the City's authority.
Bring resident concerns to City Hall and report back on what happens next.
You may not always agree with my vote, but you should never have to wonder why I made it.
My promises to Ward 8.
1. BE A STRONG VOICE FOR WARD 8
Ward 8 deserves a councillor who is present, engaged and willing to speak up.I will actively advocate for our neighbourhoods at City Hall, ask tough questions, challenge decisions when necessary and make sure the concerns of Ward 8 residents are heard at the Council table.
2. HOLD MONTHLY WARD 8 TOWN HALLS
You shouldn't only hear from your councillor when there's an election or a major issue brewing. I will hold monthly Ward 8 town halls where residents can ask questions, raise concerns, hear what's happening at City Hall and talk directly with me about what's happening in their neighbourhoods.
3. KEEP YOU INFORMED
City Hall can be complicated. Understanding what your Council is doing shouldn't be. I will provide regular, plain-language updates about important Council decisions, upcoming developments, construction, neighbourhood issues and other decisions affecting Ward 8. I'll also tell you how I voted on major issues — and why.
4. BE PRESENT — AND ACCOUNTABLE
Being your councillor means more than attending Council meetings. I'll be visible in our neighbourhoods, accessible to residents and responsive when you reach out. When you bring an issue forward, I'll work to get answers and follow up — even when the answer isn't the one either of us hoped for. And when I make a commitment, I expect you to hold me accountable for it.
Social Media.
Follow along on social media for campaign updates, Ward 8 news, upcoming events and conversations from across our community.
Instagram: @fellows4ward8
Facebook: Fellows for Ward 8
TikTok: fellows4ward8
Or connect with me directly at: fellows4ward8@gmail.com
How you can help.
VOTE!
Barrie’s 2026 Municipal Election will take place using online and telephone voting from October 16 to October 26, 2026.
Municipal elections have a direct impact on the services, neighbourhoods and decisions we experience every day. This is your opportunity to help choose who represents Ward 8 at City Hall.
Vote Amanda Fellows for Ward 8 — it’s time for change.
VOLUNTEER
Campaigns are powered by people — and I’d love to have you on the team!
There are lots of ways to get involved, whether you have a few hours to spare or want to help throughout the campaign. Volunteers can join me at the doors, help deliver campaign materials, support community events, make phone calls, help with lawn signs or lend a hand behind the scenes.
Request a Lawn Sign
Show your support right in your neighbourhood.
One of the easiest ways to support the campaign is by putting a Fellows for Ward 8 sign on your lawn.
Requesting a sign is easy. Send in your information using the contact form below, or email me at: fellows4ward8@gmail.com.
Let’s turn Ward 8 green. 💚
