Federal Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Gregor Robertson has confirmed the final funding agreement between the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada for the Hamilton Light Rail Transit (LRT) project has not been finalized.
“There’s been a commitment over several years now for the federal government to fund the Hamilton LRT. We certainly stand behind that,” Robertson said in response to a question about the status of the project’s funding.
“My only surprise is how long it’s projected to take to get to operations. I’d love to see that happen faster. I know, I’m sure the people of Hamilton would love to be getting around on LRT sooner. So in my role as minister, I’ll be doing what I can to help speed things along.”
Robertson said he “hopes” Hamilton’s LRT can “move along faster,” adding, “I think public transit investment is needed across the country.”
Asked if an agreement announcement could be forthcoming, Robertson responded “Stay tuned.”
Background
First proposed nearly 20 years ago, the planned 14-kilometre line will run along Main Street and King Street, connecting McMaster University in the west to Eastgate Square in Stoney Creek. LRT projects in both Waterloo and Mississauga were proposed later than Hamilton’s. The Waterloo LRT has been in operation since June 2019, and Mississauga’s LRT is nearing completion.
The project was first funded with a $1-billion provincial funding commitment announced in May 2015 by the Ontario Liberal government of Premier Kathleen Wynne.
The current Conservative government under Premier Doug Ford cancelled the project in December 2019, citing escalating costs.
The project was revived in May 2021 with a new total capital commitment of $3.4 billion, jointly funded by the federal and provincial governments, with each committing $1.7 billion. At the time, it was promised that construction would begin in 2024.
The final agreement between the federal and provincial governments is required to release the $1.7 billion from the federal treasury.
The provincial government has been funding ongoing early works, the administrative costs of project administration, and bureaucracy. The City of Hamilton’s only contribution will be taking over operational costs when the project is complete and trains begin running.
Thus far, the province states approximately $179 million in costs have been incurred up to September 2025.
The city and province continue to negotiate a RACI (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed) document that conveys different groups’ high-level roles and responsibilities during the Operations & Maintenance (O&M) period. “This document will help inform Metrolinx’s procurement strategy in successfully delivering the project from an O&M perspective and will incorporate lessons learned from the Eglinton Crosstown LRT,” reads a September 2024 report signed by Metrolinx’s Chief Operating Officer, Rapid Transit Steve Levene.
Over a year later, this is still not complete.
The request for proposals for the Hamilton LRT civil and utilities works package was issued in May 2025. There are four bidding consortiums.
Robertson’s remarks came Friday evening during a media availability following a tour of Indwell’s supportive and affordable housing buildings on Melvin Avenue and Parkdale Street in East Hamilton.
Full Audio Post to Instagram
Click below to listen to the full questions to, and responses by, Minister Robertson.
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Published: November 15, 2025
Last updated: November 15, 2025
Author: Joey Coleman
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