Last Updated on 7 hours ago by Vijay Kumar
Janice Laking, the longtime former mayor of Barrie, Ontario, has died at the age of 97. Her death was reported on September 30, 2026.
Doug Shipley wrote on Facebook, “I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former Barrie Mayor Janice Laking.
First elected to City Council in 1972, she went on to serve as Mayor from 1988 to 2000, leading our community through a period of significant growth and progress
Her leadership and dedication have left a profound impact on our community. Her legacy will not be forgotten.”
Laking served as mayor of Barrie from 1988 until 2000, becoming one of the city’s most prominent municipal leaders during a period of significant growth.
Janice Laking began her professional career as an educator. She taught at Barrie North Collegiate from 1960 to 1988, including work as a physical-education teacher and coach.
Her political career began in 1972, when she was first elected to Barrie City Council. She later returned to council in 1980 after an unsuccessful campaign for mayor and served as a councillor for another eight years.
In 1988, Laking was elected mayor of Barrie. She subsequently served as mayor until 2000, winning elections in 1991, 1994 and 1997. The City of Barrie’s historical records list her as mayor from 1988 to 2000.
During her time in municipal politics, Laking was involved in several major developments in Barrie. She helped lead efforts connected with the redevelopment of the former Royal Victoria Hospital site into what became Victoria Village, a seniors’ community and mixed-use campus. She was also credited with helping secure the purchase of the CN railway corridor toward Bradford, an important step toward GO Transit rail service between Barrie and Toronto.
She also supported the relocation of the MacLaren Art Centre, the development of a new police station and the downtown branch of the Barrie Public Library.
Laking also entered federal politics. She was the Liberal candidate in Simcoe Centre in the 1993 federal election but lost the race by 182 votes, according to local reporting.
Janice Laking was married to John Cyril Laking, who died in December 2017 at the age of 88. His obituary identified Janice as his wife of 65 years and listed their children and grandchildren.
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