Alex Nuttall

Nuttall was born on August 10, 1985 in Liverpool, England.{{Cite web |title=Roles - Alexander Nuttall |url=https://lop.parl.ca/sites/ParlInfo/default/en_CA/People/Profile?personId=18481 |access-date=November 3, 2024 |website=Library of Parliament}} He immigrated to Canada with his family in 1989,{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}} and grew up living in government-subsidized housing in Barrie, Ontario, with his mother and two older brothers after his parents divorced when he was eight.{{Cite news |last=Cole |first=Nikki |date=July 4, 2024 |title=SERIES: Barrie mayor calls childhood in social housing his 'biggest blessing' |url=https://www.barrietoday.com/local-news/series-barrie-mayor-calls-childhood-in-social-housing-his-biggest-blessing-8995078 |access-date=November 3, 2024 |work=Barrie Today}}

He attended Allandale Heights Public School, was elected student mayor while attending St. Peter's Catholic Secondary School in 2002, and went on to graduate from Innisdale Secondary School in 2004. Nuttall majored in Political Science while studying at Redeemer University and Laurentian University.

Nuttall served two terms as a city councillor on the Barrie City Council from 2006 until 2014. In 2006, Nuttall received 45.2% of the vote in Ward 10,{{cite web|title=City of Barrie: Final Summary or Vote|publisher=The City of Barrie|author=John Sisson, City Clerk|date=2006-11-13|accessdate=2006-11-20|url=http://www.city.barrie.on.ca/docs/2006MunicipalElectionResults.pdf}} and in 2010 he was re-elected with 82.7% of the vote.{{cite web|title=City of Barrie: Final Summary or Vote|publisher=The City of Barrie|author=Dawn A. McAlpine, City Clerk|date=2010-10-29|accessdate=2010-10-29|url=http://www.barrie.ca/City%20Hall/election/Documents/Final%20Summary%20of%20Election%20Vote%20Council.pdf|archive-date=2018-09-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925234634/https://www.barrie.ca/City%20Hall/election/Documents/Final%20Summary%20of%20Election%20Vote%20Council.pdf|url-status=dead}}

During his time as a city councillor, Nuttall was employed in the financial services industry.{{cite web|url=https://lop.parl.ca/ParlInfo/Files/Parliamentarian.aspx?Item=9ad0ff66-1598-45e6-b146-6dd0eefb9cd0&Language=E&Section=ALL|title=ParlInfo Has Moved|website=lop.parl.ca|accessdate=29 August 2018}}

In 2010, Nuttall sought the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario nomination for Barrie in order to be the candidate for the 2011 Ontario general election.

On December 8, 2010 Barrie's PC riding association nominating committee requested that he step down as a candidate. The campaign was briefly put on hold pending an internal investigation by the Ontario PC Party to determine the validity of concerns regarding member recruitment methods.{{cite web|url=https://www.simcoe.com/news-story/2050447-pc-party-picks-leader-friday/|title=PC party picks leader Friday|date=14 December 2010|website=simcoe.com|accessdate=24 February 2022}} Nuttall's campaign was cleared to continue for the nomination meeting. The then-president of the Barrie riding association, Fred Hamelin, resigned from his role citing "personal ethics".{{cite web|url=https://www.hilltimes.com/2017/03/22/alex-nuttall-maxime-berniers-membership-chair-accused-membership-fraud/100451|title=Bernier's national membership chair MP Nuttall was accused of membership fraud in 2010|date=9 December 2010|website=hilltimes.com|publisher=The Hill Times|accessdate=24 February 2022}}

Nuttall lost the nomination to Rod Jackson who went on to win the riding in the general election.{{cite web|url=https://www.simcoe.com/news-story/2041771-controversy-in-nuttall-nomination-bid/|title=Controversy in Nuttall nomination bid|date=9 December 2010|website=simcoe.com|publisher=Barrie Advance|accessdate=29 August 2018}}

{{Update|date=September 2019}}

Nuttall served as a Member of Parliament in the House of Commons, representing Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte from 2015 to 2019.

Following the 2015 federal election, Nuttall was appointed as the Official Opposition Critic for Economic Development for Southern Ontario on November 20, 2015.{{cite web |url=https://www.conservative.ca/conservatives-announce-official-opposition-shadow-cabinet-and-critics-2/ |title=Conservatives Announce Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet and Critics | Conservative Party of Canada - Canada's Official Opposition |publisher=Conservative.ca |date=2015-11-20 |accessdate=2017-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831083329/https://www.conservative.ca/conservatives-announce-official-opposition-shadow-cabinet-and-critics-2/ |archive-date=2017-08-31 |url-status=dead }} On April 8, 2016, Nuttall also accepted the role of Official Opposition Critic Deputy Critic for Innovation, Science and Economic Development, as well as Official Opposition Critic for the New Sharing Economy.{{cite web|url=https://www.conservative.ca/statement-by-the-leader-of-the-official-opposition-on-the-intention-of-mp-maxime-bernier-to-seek-the-conservative-party-of-canada-leadership/ |title=Statement by the Leader of the Official Opposition on the intention of MP Maxime Bernier to seek the Conservative Party of Canada leadership | Conservative Party of Canada - Canada's Official Opposition |publisher=Conservative.ca |date=2016-04-08 |accessdate=2017-03-03}} On August 30, 2017, Nuttall was named Official Opposition Critic for Youth, Sports, and Persons with Disabilities.{{cite web|url=https://media.conservative.ca/en/news-releases/andrew-scheer-announces-new-conservative-shadow-ministers/List%20-%20Shadow%20Ministers%20(8-30-2017).pdf|title=OFFICIAL OPPOSITION SHADOW MINISTRY|publisher=Conservative Party of Canada|location=Ottawa, ON|date=30 August 2017|accessdate=29 August 2018}}

During the first half of the 42nd Parliament, Nuttall served on the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology. Beginning in Fall 2017, he became a member of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities.

Nuttall did not run for re-election in the 2019 federal election.{{cite news |author= |title='I will not seek re-election': MP Alex Nuttall stepping away from politics |url=https://barrie.ctvnews.ca/i-will-not-seek-re-election-mp-alex-nuttall-stepping-away-from-politics-1.4351575 |work=CTV News |location=Barrie |date=March 25, 2019 |access-date=October 25, 2019}}

In 2018, MP Alex Nuttall called for a debate in the House of Commons to discuss the opioid emergency in Barrie, ON.{{cite web |publisher=Open Parliament |title=Alex Nuttall on Opioid Crisis in Canada |url=https://openparliament.ca/debates/2018/12/10/alex-nuttall-2/only/ |location=Ottawa |date=December 10, 2018 |access-date=September 23, 2022}}{{cite news |author=Beatrice Vaisman |title=Local MP outlines plan to combat opioid crisis |url=https://barrie.ctvnews.ca/local-mp-outlines-plan-to-combat-opioid-crisis-1.4193278 |work=CTV News |location=Barrie |date=November 28, 2018 |access-date=September 21, 2022}} Nuttall publicly supported the possibility of a declared public health emergency in Barrie to prevent further deaths due to the opioid crisis.{{cite news |author=Raymond Bowe |title=Barrie MPs say they stand behind city if an opioid emergency is declared |url=https://www.barrietoday.com/local-news/barrie-mps-say-they-stand-behind-city-if-an-opioid-emergency-is-declared-1263641 |work=Barrie Today |location=Barrie |date=March 1, 2019 |access-date=September 23, 2022}} On November 26, 2018, Nuttall released a 49-page report opposing Canada's plan to address the opioid crisis.{{cite news |author=Raymond Bowe |title=MP's mind unchanged on Barrie injection site following Vancouver visit |url=https://www.barrietoday.com/local-news/mps-mind-unchanged-on-barrie-injection-site-following-vancouver-visit-1136642 |work=Barrie Today |location=Barrie |date=November 26, 2018 |access-date=September 21, 2022}} The report outlined his strategy to combat the crisis by focusing on prevention alternatives.

In May 2022, Nuttall announced he was running for mayor of Barrie in the 2022 Barrie municipal election.{{cite web|title=Former MP Alex Nuttall officially launches campaign for Barrie mayor|publisher=CTV News Barrie|author=Dana Roberts|date=2022-06-11|accessdate=2022-06-11|url=https://barrie.ctvnews.ca/former-mp-alex-nuttall-officially-launches-campaign-for-barrie-mayor-1.5942922}}{{Cite web|title=Barrie's mayoral race begins as candidates file paperwork|url=https://barrie.ctvnews.ca/barrie-s-mayoral-race-begins-as-candidates-file-paperwork-1.5884411|access-date=2022-05-22|website=CTV News Barrie|date=2 May 2022 }} Nuttall won the election against six other candidates, including Barrie Deputy Mayor Barry Ward and City Councillor Mike McCann. He officially became the 47th Mayor of Barrie on November 15, 2022. Prior to the election he was the Vice President of sales, marketing and customer service for the telecommunications company, North Frontenac Telephone Company (NFTC).{{cite web|title=NFTC - North Frontenac Telephone Company on LinkedIn|publisher=LinkedIn|accessdate=2022-09-22|url=https://ca.linkedin.com/company/nftctelecom}}

On November 21, 2022, Mayor Nuttall announced that Barrie Ward 5 councillor Robert Thomson was his choice to serve as the next Deputy Mayor of Barrie.

In November 2023, Nuttall appeared before the Ontario legislature's Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy to argue for a proposal to expand Barrie's city boundaries by 2,200 hectares, taking land from the bordering Oro-Medonte and Springwater townships. Nuttall argued that this was necessary for to meet Barrie's economic and affordable housing goals. The same month, the councils of the two townships rebuffed discussions with Barrie.{{Cite news |date=January 23, 2024 |title=Province asks Barrie, Oro-Medonte to iron out boundary dispute |url=https://www.orilliamatters.com/local-news/province-asks-barrie-oro-medonte-to-iron-out-boundary-dispute-8150278 |access-date=November 3, 2024 |work=Orillia Matters}} A January 2024 Mainstreet Research found that 73% of residents in Greater Barrie area supported the proposal.{{Cite news |date=January 23, 2024 |title=Barrie area residents signal support for municipal boundary adjustment, new poll suggests |url=https://www.ipolitics.ca/news/barrie-area-residents-signal-support-for-municipal-boundary-adjustment-new-poll-suggests |access-date=November 3, 2024 |work=iPolitics}}

In March 2024, Nuttall and federal housing minister Sean Fraser announced that Barrie would receive $25.6 million to help build 680 units over three years and approximately 4,000 homes over ten years as part of the Housing Accelerator Fund. The agreement was made possible after Barrie met requirements such as committing to allowing fourplexs as a mater of right, increasing the amount of city land available for affordable housing, and other changes.{{Cite news |last=Bruton |first=Bob |date=March 14, 2024 |title=Barrie gets $25.6M boost from feds to fast-track housing |url=https://www.barrietoday.com/local-news/barrie-gets-256m-boost-from-feds-to-fast-track-housing-8443252 |access-date=November 3, 2024 |work=Barrie Today}}

In August 2024, Nuttall made the first use of new strong mayor powers granted in the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act to pause development on a multi-purpose field project near the city's waterfront that was going to primarily house a Royal Canadian Sea Cadets parade ground and minor sports teams. After a commissioned report recommended that the space become a park, that the city review its use of existing sports facilities and a planned new performing arts centre.{{Cite news |last=Roberts |first=Dana |date=August 15, 2024 |title=Barrie mayor uses Strong Mayor Powers for 1st time over controversial field |url=https://barrie.ctvnews.ca/barrie-mayor-uses-strong-mayor-powers-for-1st-time-over-controversial-field-1.7002338 |access-date=November 4, 2024 |work=CTV News}}

In October 2024, Nuttall signed a letter, along with twelve other Ontario mayors, that called on Ontario Premier Doug Ford to invoke the notwithstanding clause to override the Section 7 Charter rights of Barrie residents living in homeless encampments. A January 2023 Ontario Superior Court of Justice decision had ruled that it was unconstitutional to enforce anti-encampment bylaws where there were an insufficient space in shelters to accommodate the affected. The letter also called on the provincial government to intervene in legal cases to apply the 2024 Supreme Court of the United States case City of Grants Pass v Johnson to prevent from ruling on municipal policies affecting homeless people, to strengthen involuntary commitment and involuntary treatment schemes, expanding drug diversion courts that focus on rehabilitation province-wide, and to strengthen trespass and open drug use.{{Cite news |last=Draaisma |first=Muriel |date=October 31, 2024 |title=Ontario mayors ask Ford to use notwithstanding clause to clear homeless encampments |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-big-city-mayors-notwithstanding-clause-encampments-1.7370210 |access-date=November 4, 2024 |work=CBC News}}

Nuttall co-founded the PIE Education program in 2010 with Barrie business owners Craig Russell and Angela Pidutti, owners of PIE Wood Fired Pizza Joint, as well as Adam Moulton, owner of Allandale Home Hardware.{{cite news |date=2013-08-19 |title=Helping kids go back to school in Barrie |url=https://www.simcoe.com/news-story/4038420-helping-kids-go-back-to-school-in-barrie/ |accessdate=2022-09-24 |publisher=Barrie Advance, Simcoe.com}}{{cite web |title=About PIE Education |url=https://piewoodpizza.com/edu/ |accessdate=2022-09-24 |publisher=PIE - WOOD FIRED PIZZA}} To-date, the program has provided over 17,500 backpacks filled with school supplies for families living in government-subsidized homes and students in need.{{cite news |date=2022-08-26 |title=PIE Education backpack program kicks off with $10K donation |url=https://www.barrietoday.com/local-news/pie-education-backpack-program-kicks-off-with-10k-donation-5742139 |accessdate=2022-09-24 |publisher=BarrieToday.com}}

In 2018, Alex Nuttall became host and chair of the Boots and Hearts Barn Burner charity hockey game, formerly known as Hockey Night in Barrie.{{cite news |author=Chris Simon |date=2018-05-18 |title=Hockey Night in Barrie will return to BMC in August |url=https://www.simcoe.com/news-story/8618544-hockey-night-in-barrie-will-return-to-bmc-in-august/ |accessdate=2022-09-24 |publisher=Barrie Advance, Simcoe.com}} The Barn Burner brings celebrity hockey players, such as Toronto Maple Leaf Captain, John Tavares, and local community members together to raise money for local charities.{{cite news |author=Shawn Gibson |date=2022-07-28 |title=Barn Burner charity game 'a perfect fit' for Leafs captain |url=https://www.barrietoday.com/local-news/leafs-captain-tops-in-barrie-to-talk-hockey-charity-and-boots-and-hearts-5636204 |accessdate=2022-09-24 |publisher=BarrieToday.com}} On August 3, 2022, the event, held at Sadlon Arena in Barrie, raised $155,000 for the RVH Foundation at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre, Easter Seals Barrie, and PIE Education.{{cite news |author=Shawn Gibson |date=2022-08-04 |title='The best feeling': Barn Burner raises $155K |url=https://www.barrietoday.com/local-news/mid-summer-hockey-draws-good-crowd-raises-155k-7-photos-5657023 |accessdate=2022-09-24 |publisher=BarrieToday.com}}

Nuttall served as a member of the Executive Board of Directors for the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority from 2006 to 2010. During this time the Authority played a role in establishing the Lake Simcoe Protection Act, 2008.{{cite web |date=24 July 2014 |title=Lake Simcoe Protection Act, 2008 |url=https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/08l23/v1 |accessdate=2022-09-25 |publisher=Government of Ontario}}

While a federal MP, Nuttall employed the wife of another former Conservative MP Brian Storseth as an assistant.{{Cite news |last=Bruton |first=Bob |date=May 31, 2024 |title=Mayor says no conflict exists with city's plans for iPolitics newsletter |url=https://www.barrietoday.com/local-news/mayor-says-he-has-no-conflict-with-plans-for-ipolitics-newsletter-8910761 |access-date=November 3, 2024 |work=Barrie Today}} Nuttall broke his left navicular bone playing soccer in January 2023 and had surgeries in February 2023 and 2024 to deal with the injury and a subsequent infection.{{Cite news |last=Bruton |first=Bob |date=December 23, 2023 |title=Mayor hopes foot surgery will make it right |url=https://www.barrietoday.com/local-news/mayor-hopes-foot-surgery-will-make-it-right-7998518 |access-date=November 3, 2024 |work=Barrie Today}}

{{2015 Canadian federal election/Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte}}

{{reflist}}

{{Canadian Parliament links|ID=18481}}

{{Mayors of Barrie}}

{{Mayors in Ontario}}

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Category:1985 births

Category:Living people

Category:Conservative Party of Canada MPs

Category:Members of the House of Commons of Canada from Ontario

Category:Mayors of Barrie

Category:Laurentian University alumni

Category:English emigrants to Canada

Category:Politicians from Liverpool

Category:21st-century members of the House of Commons of Canada

Category:21st-century mayors of places in Ontario