hopa-ports-brand-light

Canal Piers – Hamilton Side Now Open

HOPA Ports is pleased to welcome the community back to the Hamilton side of the Canal Piers.

When it appeared the Canal Piers could close permanently, HOPA stepped in to take ownership of the piers, with a commitment to work with the cities of Hamilton and Burlington to preserve public access. HOPA addressed acute surface issues and other immediate safety needs, and began working with both municipalities toward a long-term leasing arrangement that would allow the piers to open seasonally for the public to enjoy. HOPA’s earlier work included addressing surface deficiencies and installing new marine safety ladders.

That work has now enabled the first step toward renewed public access:

  • The Hamilton side of the Canal Piers is now open to the public.
  • Access is during daylight hours only.
  • Visitors are asked to respect all posted signage and safety requirements.
  • The Burlington side remains closed to public access at this time.

The Canal Piers remain important marine infrastructure at the entrance to Hamilton Harbour. HOPA’s role is to ensure their continued function for shipping and navigation while working with our municipal partners to make seasonal public access possible where it can be accommodated safely.

We’re pleased to see the Hamilton Canal Pier reopen and once again give people a unique place to experience the waterfront and the gateway to Hamilton Harbour.

Commercial Leasing Specialist

HOPA Ports is seeking a detail-oriented, organized and commercially minded individual to join our Commercial team as a Commercial Leasing Specialist.  Who We Are The

Read More »
August 26, 2026

Cole Horncastle

Vice President, Commercial

Cole assumed the role of Vice President, Commercial in 2026 after serving as the Executive Managing Director at the Hamilton International Airport.

Cole brings more than 15 years of leadership experience across transportation, commercial strategy, business development, and real estate development.

Cole received his Honours Bachelor of Accounting from Brock University and is a Charted Professional Accountant.

Jonathan Wetselaar

Vice President, Capital Projects

Jonathan serves as Vice President, Capital Projects, bringing over two decades of dedicated leadership to the role.

Since joining HOPA in 2002 as a Port Technologist, he has steadily advanced through key positions, including Design Construction Manager (2010) and Director of Capital Projects (2018).

Throughout his tenure, Jonathan has spearheaded the organization’s most strategic capital initiatives, leveraging innovative approaches to consistently drive value for HOPA’s stakeholders.

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

Larissa Fenn

Vice President, Corporate Affairs

Larissa Fenn is Vice President, Corporate Affairs at HOPA Ports, leading a team responsible for strategic initiatives, public affairs, sustainability reporting, corporate governance and culture.

In progressive roles over 14 years, Larissa has helped to define and execute the strategy that has grown HOPA Ports into Ontario’s largest and most dynamic port authority. Her previous experience includes policy and communications management roles in financial services and municipal government.

Larissa holds a B.A. in Political Science from Queen’s University, and an MBA from the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University. A champion for the Great Lakes and vibrant waterfront cities, Larissa serves as a Board Member of the Ontario Marine Council and is former Vice Chair of the Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton/Burlington, Ontario.

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.

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.