Final curbside pickup of ice storm debris scheduled for early June in Barrie

Branches and tree debris on properties in Barrie, Ont., on Mon., March 31, 2025, following a destructive ice storm. (CTV News Barrie)

The City of Barrie is preparing for one last round of curbside pickup to clear tree branches and other debris left behind by the ice storm that swept through the region in late March.

After several weeks of cleanup efforts involving as many as 86 crews working across the city, officials say a final collection will take place from June 2 to 7. Residents are being asked to place any remaining storm-related debris at the curb by no later than June 1 to ensure it gets picked up.

“This storm had a major impact on our urban forest and our community,” said Dave Friary, director of operations for the City of Barrie. “We’re grateful for the patience and cooperation of residents as crews have worked tirelessly over the past several weeks to address the damage. This final collection effort will help wrap up the city-wide cleanup of large piles of private brush curbside.”

• Related | Cost of ice storm cleanup in Barrie reaches $12M, with tree loss climbing

Since the storm, city crews have been chipping and hauling away broken limbs and fallen branches from neighbourhoods heavily affected by the icy conditions. The final pass will focus solely on storm-related debris, and officials remind residents the material should be neatly piled at the curb. Debris should not block sidewalks, roads, or fire hydrants.

Regular yard waste collection will continue as scheduled for non-storm-related materials.

The March ice storm caused extensive damage to trees across Barrie, with some neighbourhoods experiencing prolonged power outages and hazardous conditions due to fallen branches. City staff say the cleanup process has been a major undertaking.