hopa-ports-brand-light

Author: Hamilton Oshawa Port Authority

New Report: Expanding CBSA Services

Unlocking the potential of the Great Lakes –St. Lawrence Seaway System: Economic analysis of container reception services in six Eastern Canadian ports Currently the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) only supports the scanning and clearance of foreign shipping containers at five ports in Canada: Halifax, Saint John, Montreal, Prince Rupert, and Vancouver, creating challenges in […]

HOPA Ports Invests in Canadian-Made Solutions to Strengthen Port Security

HOPA Ports is reinforcing its commitment to Canadian infrastructure investment as it moves to ‘Buy Canada’ while investing in essential port infrastructure. A recent collaboration with Calgary-based Guardian Telecom Ltd. to upgrade security gate intercoms at the Port of Hamilton reflects this approach, showing how local procurement can enhance port operations and contribute to economic […]

Ten Years Strong: Building a Safer Port Network Together

It often starts with a phone call. A port partner notices an unfamiliar vehicle lingering near a restricted area. A contractor sees someone where they shouldn’t be. A visitor feels that something “just doesn’t seem right.” Ten years ago, those moments might have gone unreported. But today, thanks to a simple idea, “See Something, Say […]

HOPA Ports Helps Save Hamilton’s Biox Biodiesel Facility

Hamilton, ON — HOPA Ports has taken action to preserve the continued operation of the biodiesel facility in Hamilton previously operated by Biox. Recognized for its strategic value, the Biox facility has operated on port lands for more than two decades, converting used cooking oil, animal fats, and seed oils into high-quality biodiesel. Over its lifespan, […]

City of Sault Ste. Marie and the Hamilton Oshawa Port Authority announce new partnership

Sault Ste. Marie, ON – The City of Sault Ste. Marie and the Hamilton Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA Ports) are announcing a partnership to develop a transformative infrastructure initiative: the development of a multimodal port and trade corridor that will connect Northern Ontario to Southern Ontario and export destinations beyond. Anchored by a newly developed […]

HOPA Ports and BMI Group Renew Partnership After Award-Winning 600-Acre Brownfield Transformation, Driving Industrial Growth in Ontario

Partnership Renewal Fuels New Opportunities for Supply Chain Resilience, Tenant Innovation, and Economic Growth HOPA Ports and BMI Group have revitalized over 600 acres in Niagara, creating a nationally recognized industrial hub. Bioveld Niagara hosts scale-ups like CHAR Tech and Destiny Copper, driving global clean-tech innovation. Direct access to marine, rail, and highway networks, plus […]

Harbour West Marina’s Plastics Recycling Program: Leading the Way in Sustainable Boating

How HOPA Ports and Partners Are Reducing Plastic Waste in Hamilton At Harbour West Marina, we believe meaningful environmental change is rooted in everyday actions. This spring, we proudly introduced our Shrink Wrap Recycling Program, an initiative that anchors our commitment to sustainability as part of our Clean Marine Certification. We are delighted to share, […]

Enhancing Nighttime Navigation and Operations at the Port of Oshawa

Delivering Safer, More Efficient Marine Access for Mariners and Industry Partners Thanks to a suite of recent upgrades, vessels can now access the port 24/7, giving shipping agents and lines, and local industries the flexibility they’ve been asking for. That means less waiting, faster cargo moves, and a supply chain that’s more responsive than ever. […]

Canada is Feeding the World with Support from Marine Shipping

As the 2025 marine shipping season has progressed, grain traffic has remained the dominant story of the year per statistics reported by the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation. As of the end of June, total traffic had reached approximately 12.7 million tonnes, representing an increase of approximately 4% year over year when compared to the same period […]

Renee Bulger, CPA, CGA

Vice President, Finance

Renee assumed the role of Vice President, Finance after having served as Director of Finance since 2023.

Renee joined the Hamilton Port Authority in 2006 as a General Accountant and was promoted to Controller in 2018. She was previously a member of the Board of Directors for the Hamilton Conservation Foundation from 2017 to 2020.

Renee received her Honours Bachelor of Commerce from Laurentian University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant.

Larissa Fenn

Vice President, Corporate Affairs

Larissa Fenn is Vice President, Corporate Affairs at HOPA Ports, leading a team responsible for communications and government relations, sustainability reporting, corporate governance and corporate culture.

Previous positions included communications and public policy roles at the Canadian Bankers Association, Credit Valley Conservation Authority, and the Regional Municipality of Halton.

Larissa holds a B.A.(Hons) in Political Science from Queen’s University. She holds the APR designation from the Canadian Public Relations Society, and completed the Senior Public Sector Leaders program at the University of Western Ontario, Ivey School of Business. Larissa has served as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the Royal Botanical Gardens, and as a member of the Policy Council of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce.

Bill Fitzgerald

Vice President, Strategic Development

Bill assumed the role of Vice President, Strategic Development in 2024, after having served as HOPA’s Vice President, Operations since 2008.

Bill joined the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority in July 1995 as Project Engineer. He previously worked with the Regional Municipality of Ottawa’s Transportation Department, as well as for the Toronto Transit Commission and the City of Waterloo.

Bill received a Bachelor of Applied Science, civil engineering / water resources, in 1995 from the University of Waterloo and registered with the Professional Engineers of Ontario in 1997.

Jeremy Dunn

Vice President, Operations

Jeremy assumed the role of Vice President, Operations in 2024 after having served as HOPA’s Commercial Vice President since 2019. Prior to joining HOPA, Jeremy served in successive leadership roles at The Miller Group, one of Canada’s leading transportation construction and infrastructure maintenance companies. Jeremy has managed multiple business groups in the heavy construction, asphalt paving and aggregates sectors driving results through business restructuring, service improvement and strategic growth. In his most recent role, Jeremy served as General Manager of Miller Maintenance, responsible for managing and growing Miller’s highway maintenance business in Ontario.

Previous to The Miller Group, Jeremy held the position of Director of Operations for the Dunn Group of Companies.

Jeremy earned his Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) through Queen’s University. He also holds a Master’s Certificate in Project Management.

Ian Hamilton

President & CEO

Ian Hamilton is President & CEO of HOPA Ports (Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority). He assumed this role in 2017, after serving as the Port Authority’s Vice President of Business Development and Real Estate since 2008. Ian has been instrumental in developing working waterfronts in Hamilton, Oshawa, and Niagara by attracting new business and private investment, and creating an integrated marine network across Southern Ontario.

Ian possesses more than 25 years of experience in international transportation and logistics in Europe and North America, and has held progressively senior positions in the liner shipping industry, including Transatlantic Trade Director (Europe) for CP Ships and Business Development Manager for Hapag-Lloyd. Ian is Chairperson of the Association of Canadian Port Authorities, and holds positions on various other boards, including: the Chamber of Marine Commerce, the Hamilton Club, and Brigs Youth Sail Training.

Ian holds an MBA from Aston University (UK) and a BSc in business administration and economics from the College of Charleston, South Carolina.