In a letter dated Jan. 28 and delivered to the Minister of Municipal Affairs Jim Watson's office Monday, Carroll tells Watson "this border issue has entered a critical phase.

"The viability of Barrie's future as an urban growth designate in Central Ontario is at play. With the importance of Barrie's future growth at stake, and with the option of a local solution completely exhausted, I urge the Province to intervene to resolve this matter," she told her cabinet colleague.

She told Barrie council about her letter in a routine update she gives every year.

Barrie-Innisfil negotiations failed last February, despite the help of then-provincial development facilitator Alan Wells. Barrie had wanted Highway 400 corridor land for employment purposes, and offered to service other lands in Innisfil in exchange for the acreage; Innisfil, however, rejected the idea.

Barrie continued to lobby the province regarding its need for employment land, however; former BIN committee chairman Coun. Mike Ramsay noted the city takes its role as an urban growth centre - a place where jobs and services are to be fostered and developed - seriously; yet, the city is running out of prime industrial land.

"What we are talking about are employment lands along the Highway 400 corridor that will provide jobs for Barrie, Innisfil and the county," he said.

BIN committee member Coun. John Brassard agreed the impasse has gone on long enough - and the cost is jobs.

"Minister Carroll's public call tonight for her government to solve the boundary issue will hopefully persuade her colleagues at Queen's Park of just how important the need for a resolution is," he said.

"The economic prosperity of this region is vitally dependent on Barrie being able to expand beyond its current limited capabilities and that it be allowed to continue to play a key role as the only designated Urban Growth Centre in the region."

Carroll did go so far as to use the word "annexation".

"Barrie has annexed land from neighbouring municipalities on nine occasions since 1950. This action that I am requesting is based in historical precedent and reflects Barrie's position as an urban growth centre."

Three annexations in the 1980s added lands in Holly, Ardagh and Painswick areas, as well as a rim of land along the city's north and northeastern boundaries.