HAMILTON — Ontario has completed construction of the new Confederation GO Station in Hamilton, a major addition to the province’s transit network that officials say will ease congestion, shorten commutes and strengthen economic connections across the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
Premier Doug Ford announced the station’s completion on Monday, calling it a key step in the government’s strategy to expand fast, reliable train service and accommodate the region’s rapid population growth.
“Our government is investing in the largest transit expansion in North America to help families and workers get where they need to go, when they need to get there,” Ford said. “The opening of Confederation GO Station will be a game changer for residents in East Hamilton and Stoney Creek, while bringing much-needed relief to Burlington and West Harbour GO.”
Service Set to Begin in October
The $—million facility, located near Centennial Parkway North and the Queen Elizabeth Way, will officially open for passenger service on October 27, 2025. From that date forward, all existing trains running between Toronto and Niagara Falls will stop at Confederation.
The station includes a fully accessible platform, sheltered canopies, bicycle racks, a pick-up and drop-off zone and 148 parking spaces. Provincial officials estimate it will generate nearly half a million new train rides annually.
Prabmeet Sarkaria, Ontario’s Minister of Transportation, said the project reflects the government’s broader push to integrate communities across the region.
“As Hamilton and Niagara continue to grow, our government is connecting families, commuters and businesses across the Greater Golden Horseshoe to transit they can rely on every day,” Sarkaria said. “By opening Confederation GO Station with enhanced train service across the region, we’re making transit faster and easier, driving economic growth and protecting Ontario.”
Hamilton Leaders Welcome the Expansion
Local officials hailed the announcement as a long-awaited investment in Hamilton’s east end.
“Confederation GO Station is about more than just building a station — it’s about building connections,” said Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath. “For Hamiltonians, it means shorter commutes, affordable and sustainable travel, and better access to work, school and healthcare. For visitors, it means easier access to discover everything that makes Hamilton such a vibrant community.”
Horwath thanked the provincial government for working with the city to expand transit access and “create new opportunities across our region.”
Neil Lumsden, MPP for Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, called the station “the latest example of our commitment to delivering the largest transit expansion in North American history.” He said the new facility will allow residents “to spend less time in traffic, and more time with their friends and family.”
Monica Ciriello, MPP for Hamilton Mountain, described the opening as a milestone. “This station will reduce gridlock, make the daily commute easier and strengthen our growing community for years to come,” she said.
Part of Broader GO Transit Growth
Confederation GO Station forms part of GO Transit’s Niagara Extension project, which is designed to improve access between Toronto, Hamilton, St. Catharines and Niagara Falls — a region known both for its growing commuter population and its role as one of Canada’s top tourist destinations.
The expansion comes alongside new service enhancements elsewhere in the GO network. Beginning October 27, additional trains will run on the Lakeshore East, Lakeshore West, Barrie and Stouffville lines. These include 13 weekday and 15 weekend trips serving Confederation, extensions of some Lakeshore West trips to the new station, and additional service in Oshawa, Whitby, Aurora and Unionville.
Metrolinx President and CEO Michael Lindsay said the new Hamilton station is the first to open in four years. “These investments are part of a broader transformation across the region, with major construction also underway at key future hubs like East Harbour and Woodbine GO,” Lindsay said.
Industry and Transit Groups Voice Support
The project also drew endorsements from industry and transit associations, which see the station as a vital step in improving regional mobility and competitiveness.
Mark Salsberg, chairperson of the Transit Rail Association for Canadian Contractors, Maintainers, Operators and Standards (TRACCS), said investments like Confederation GO are “integral to maintaining our competitiveness and being one of the greatest places in the world to live, work, play and visit.”
Nadia Todorova, executive director of the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO), called the opening “excellent news for our growing region,” adding that the station will “play a vital role in reducing gridlock, supporting economic growth and improving access to jobs and housing.”
Marco D’Angelo, CEO of the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA), praised the government for recognizing transit’s role in “shaping the region’s future,” while Karen Cameron, CEO of the Ontario Public Transit Association (OPTA), emphasized the station’s contribution to “affordability, opportunity and building thriving communities.”
A Regional Transformation Underway
The Confederation GO project reflects the province’s long-term plan to invest in infrastructure as the Greater Golden Horseshoe — home to nearly 10 million people — continues to expand.
Ontario officials argue that improved transit access will not only cut commuting times but also support housing development and job growth along the GO rail corridors.
“Ontario’s continued investment in transit is building the backbone for stronger, more resilient communities,” D’Angelo said. “Confederation GO will deliver lasting benefits in mobility, sustainability and economic opportunity for the entire region.”
