ALL ABOARD THE WEEKEND TRAIN

On Nov. 23, the GO Train service will expand its service along the Kitchener line, adding four weekend trips to the area.  

The Ontario government reached an agreement with CN Rail on Oct. 16 to purchase the land needed to build GO Transit tracks along the Kitchener line. This deal was billed as a breakthrough in the province’s long-promised plan to deliver a two-way, all-day service between Toronto and Kitchener.  

“I’m thrilled that the new weekend GO Train service is now connecting the Waterloo Region with Toronto,” Karen Redman, Regional Chair of the Waterloo Region, said. “This expansion will make a real difference for our residents and businesses—reducing traffic congestion, cutting carbon emissions, and improving access to jobs and opportunities.”  

Redman said the region has long advocated for more GO Train service, and it is an important step toward achieving full two-way, all-day service.  

“As Waterloo Region grows to one million people, investing in reliable and sustainable transportation is vital to supporting our community’s future,” she said.  

The agreement coincides with the new GO Train services beginning on Nov. 23, which includes 18 additional weekend trips between Bramalea and Union Station.  

The Ontario government says the new agreement clears the way to build 40 km of dedicated GO tracks, along with track realignments, signal upgrades, bridge work, and expanded platforms.  

“Expanding service along the Kitchener Line is part of Ontario’s $70-billion investment in the largest transit expansion,” a statement from Metrolinx Media Relations reads. “Ontario now offers new rail, subway, and transit lines across the province from Barrie to Niagara, Kitchener, Oshawa, Toronto and more.”  

Metrolinx continues to work on the Kitchener Line, where GO Trains currently operate primarily on a single track between Bramalea and Kitchener GO stations, limiting service capacity. The agency has begun installing a second track between the stations to enable two-way train operations.  

“We will also be adding weekday service enhancements, such as two weekday trips between Bramalea Go and Union Station,” David Jang, Chief Communications & Community Engagement Officer at Metrolinx said.  

“We’ll also extend one evening trip that previously ended at Guelph Central to Kitchener GO and add two trips that previously ended at Malton GO to Bramalea GO,” Jang said.  

Commuters can expect two trains on Saturdays and two on Sundays once service begins. The trains will depart Kitchener in the afternoon and return in the evening, aligning with major events in Toronto.  

Schedule times are expected to be confirmed on the GO Transit website in the coming weeks. 

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KITCHENER AND WATERLOO RECEIVE FUNDING FOR MEETING HOUSING GOALS

The Ontario government plans to award $16.7 million to Kitchener and Waterloo through the second round of the Building Faster Fund.  

The three-year, $1.2-billion program provides funding for housing and community-related infrastructure in municipalities that meet at least 80 per cent of their provincially designated housing targets. In 2024, the two cities broke ground on nearly 5,000 new homes.  

Kitchener will receive $10.3 million after starting 3,067 units, which is 105 per cent of its target of 2,917. Waterloo will receive $6.4 million for starting 1,722 units, or 129 per cent of its target of 1,333.  

Separately from the Building Faster Fund, the province is also investing through the $4- billion Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program (MHIP), which supports housing-related infrastructure. That includes $11.9 million for Waterloo to support nearly 5,000 new homes, and $19.5 million across the Region of Waterloo for projects tied to more than 14,000 homes.  

“We were very happy to receive the Building Faster Fund,” Dorothy McCabe, mayor of Waterloo, said. “Our staff team and council worked really hard, and we need the money.”  

McCabe said housing targets are set by the province, with Waterloo’s next overarching goal set at 16,000 new units over the next 10 years.  

“There are a lot of costs that go with building new housing,” she said. “This money will go into wastewater pumping stations, new roads—anything that supports housing development.”  

McCabe also called the Building Faster Fund challenging, arguing that it measures municipalities on the wrong things.  

She pointed to Waterloo’s 2023 affordable housing strategy, which highlights a shortage of affordable units across the region.  

“We have a significant project working with Habitat for Humanity that will add about 1,000 new homes that are affordable for our community,” she said.  

Berry Vrabanovic, mayor of Kitchener, also noted that this year’s funding is crucial for building and maintaining infrastructure that supports future housing. These projects include a new fire hall downtown, new pumping stations and improved stormwater management.  

“This funding helps ensure our communities see economic investments, new housing, and jobs that benefit residents in Kitchener and Waterloo,” Vrbanovic said. “These things are important for the growth of our community.”  

Stephen Litt, chief development officer at Vive Development, said development fees should be reduced to encourage more projects to begin construction. He said the federal and provincial governments need to follow through on promises to lower development charges.  

Despite Premier Ford calling on higher levels of government to do more, he said his incentives for municipalities will continue to expand home building in Ontario.  

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