History

The newspaper was founded in 1987 by Metroland Media Group

Metroland Media Group

Metroland Media Group, also referred to as Metroland is a publisher of daily and weekly community newspapers, as well as several speciality products and services, in the southern part of the Canadian province of Ontario...

. Shortly after publishing its first issue, the Advance purchased the former Barrie Banner, a community newspaper with more than 20-years history in the Barrie area. The Advance changed its name to the Banner Advance, shortly after the purchase, to incorporate the two newspapers, later evolving into the Barrie Advance as it is named today.

Present day

The Barrie Advance serves as head office for the Metroland Media Group

Metroland Media Group

Metroland Media Group, also referred to as Metroland is a publisher of daily and weekly community newspapers, as well as several speciality products and services, in the southern part of the Canadian province of Ontario...

Simcoe County Division, which includes the Alliston Herald/Courier, Collingwood Connection, Midland Mirror and Orillia Today newspapers.