The announcement is part of the Ford government’s plan to expand transportation to and from Toronto. Photo Credit: Pexels.
Earlier this week, the Ontario government announced that the Town of Grimsby will soon become the home of a new GO Station. The decision comes during a time in which southern Ontario communities are experiencing rapidly accelerating population growth, and when there is a deepening need to provide even more communities with more seamless access to the City of Toronto, the financial capital of Canada.
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is investing $70 billion over the next decade to carry out the largest transit expansion in North America,” shared Prabmeet Sarkaria, Ontario Minister of Transportation. “A new GO station in Grimsby will be a game-changer for the community, giving more commuters in Niagara easy access to fast, reliable and affordable public transit.”
Transportation to and from Toronto has become an immense challenge that residents have grappled with for decades, as intensifying highway congestion has multiplied the length of the daily commute for workers, and subsequently formed a barrier for those seeking a wide range of vibrant employment opportunities. The expansion of GO Transit services is being applied as a leading solution to this longstanding problem.
“Our government is taking action to reduce gridlock by upgrading and modernizing transit systems across the province, enabling more efficient, accessible and cost-effective transit solutions for everyone,” shared Ontario Minister of Infrastructure Kinga Surma. “As part of this work, we are seizing the opportunity to build vibrant, mixed-use communities around transit stations, to make it faster and easier for residents to access reliable transit, right in their own neighbourhoods.”
The announcement came during an already pivotal week for the province, as Premier Doug Ford called an early election, which will take place on Thursday, Feb. 27. Ford says that he requires a new mandate as he begins negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the threat of sweeping tariffs on Canadian exports to the United States, which could come into effect as early as Feb. 1.
Niagara Falls City Councillor and provincial Progressive Conservative candidate Ruth-Ann Nieuwesteeg attended the GO Station announcement on Tuesday.
“This is a long-awaited project and a major milestone for the Niagara Region,” Nieuwesteeg shared in a social media post. Nieuwesteeg celebrated enhanced “access to jobs” and “reduced gridlock” as tangible objectives which will be achieved through this strategic addition.
Mayor of Port Colborne and Niagara Centre Progressive Conservative candidate Bill Steele also shared his enthusiasm for the GO Station development.
“From protecting our economy to connecting Niagara families to convenient transportation, only the Ontario PCs have a plan to support Ontario’s communities,” Steele told The Niagara Independent. “As the Mayor of Port Colborne and a member of the Regional Municipality of Niagara, I know the new Grimsby GO Station will be a game changer for our community,” he continued. “It will tackle gridlock and provide more convenient connections to jobs, housing and transit in our fast-growing community.”
“I look forward, as your next MPP for Niagara Centre, to continue to champion this project that will allow families to spend less time on the road and more time where it matters most.”
Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff heralded the announcement as “welcome news for commuters in Niagara.”
The GO Station project was also recognized by Jim Bradley, Niagara Regional Chair.
“The expansion of GO transit services in Niagara has been one of Niagara’s top priorities, one in which all of our municipalities have been unified in advocating for,” Bradley explained. “Today’s announcement is a big step forward for all of Niagara, and I look forward to continued partnerships, investment and accomplishments that will serve the current and future transit needs of Niagara.”
“As a gateway to Niagara, transportation solutions mean better connectivity, improved quality of life, and a positive impact on Niagara’s economy,” shared Grimsby Mayor Jeff Jordan. “We stand ready to support this announcement and work collaboratively with the province to bring this plan to fruition.”
Those interested in learning more about the Grimsby GO Station project can do so at the following Niagara Region webpage: Future Grimsby GO Train Station
Nick Redekop completed his Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Labour Studies at Brock University. He has previously served in municipal and federal politics. In his free time, Nick enjoys following sports, taking part in outdoor activities, and reading biographies. Nick resides in Niagara Falls
