The federal Liberal minority government’s 2025 budget states recent funding increases for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) include work “to identify” Hamilton’s port as a container import and export location.
The statement, on page 147 of Budget 2025 – Canada Strong, says adding CBSA services at more Great Lakes ports “is essential to diversifying our trade.”
Hamilton Port and City Sought Customs Station
The Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA) and the City of Hamilton have prioritized lobbying for a CBSA customs station to enable importers and exporters to use port facilities.
In May, HOPA reported its new inland rail terminal for containers was ready to open, but had not received CBSA approval for a sufferance warehouse to enable importers to clear customs at the port.
The new inland rail terminal will permit importers to ship containers directly to Hamilton by rail from ocean ports of entry and have customs clearance completed closer to the final destination.
Conducting inspections inland will also improve trade by reducing bottlenecks presently occurring at ocean ports. It will also enable Hamilton exports to increase international trade of products including steel and agricultural goods.
The City of Hamilton’s economic development strategy has identified adding CBSA customs processing at the port as critical to the city’s goal of attracting more industrial operations.
The expansion of CBSA services at Hamilton’s port is part of the federal government’s expansion of border security services. The proposal already enjoys support in principle from opposition parties, suggesting the initiative could proceed regardless of the current Liberal minority government’s political fate.
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v. 1.0.0
Published: November 4, 2025
Last updated: November 4, 2025
Author: Joey Coleman
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v. 1.0.0 original version