Executive summary

We're building transportation infrastructure across the province — including expanding GO Transit networks and building vibrant communities near transit. We’re working closely with municipalities to build new GO Transit stations, giving residents better travel options and helping local communities grow.

To support new GO Transit stations, the Ministry of Infrastructure introduced the Transit Station Charge (TSC) through the GO Transit Station Funding Act, 2023. This is an optional tool to help municipalities to fund new stations. A regulation under this Act which came into effect September 2, 2025, provides details on how to implement it.

Under the Act, the Minister of Infrastructure can provide consent to eligible municipalities to implement a TSC. This tool helps fund the design and construction of new GO Transit stations and to recoup the costs over time as new development is built around the station.

Key sections of the guide

The Transit Station Charge implementation guide provides municipalities with information about implementation requirements, including process, eligibility, roles and responsibilities.

The implementation guide outlines:

  • the purpose of the Transit Station Charge and how it works
  • how to enact a Transit Station Charge, including roles and responsibilities of the municipality and province
  • steps to develop a background study, including the following legislative requirements of a Transit Station Charge:
    • proposed geographic boundary
    • municipality’s funding contribution
    • amount of development
    • calculating the proposed Transit Station Charge
    • municipal plan to offset the Transit Station Charge
  • steps to draft the Transit Station Charge
  • how to seek minister approval of the TSC by-law
  • how to enact the finalized TSC by-law
  • list of eligible municipalities
  • list of eligible costs that could be recovered through the Transit Station Charge

Who uses the guide

This guide is meant to be used by eligible municipalities that are interested in implementing a Transit Station Charge if they meet the Ministry of Infrastructure’s eligibility criteria for a new GO station.

Industry partners, developers and real estate stakeholders may also refer to this guide to get information on the implementation process and to understand how a Transit Station Charge might impact them.

List of municipalities eligible to request use of the Transit Station Charge

  • Town of Ajax
  • Town of Aurora
  • City of Barrie
  • Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury
  • City of Brampton
  • City of Burlington
  • Municipality of Clarington
  • Regional Municipality of Durham
  • Town of East Gwillimbury
  • Town of Grimsby
  • City of Guelph
  • Regional Municipality of Halton
  • Town of Halton Hills
  • City of Hamilton
  • Town of Innisfil
  • Township of King
  • City of Kitchener
  • Town of Lincoln
  • City of Markham
  • Town of Milton
  • City of Mississauga
  • Town of Newmarket
  • Regional Municipality of Niagara
  • City of Niagara Falls
  • Town of Oakville
  • City of Oshawa
  • Regional Municipality of Peel
  • City of Pickering
  • City of Richmond Hill
  • County of Simcoe
  • City of St. Catharines
  • City of Toronto
  • City of Vaughan
  • Regional Municipality of Waterloo
  • Town of Whitby
  • Town of Whitchurch‑Stouffville
  • Township of Woolwich
  • Regional Municipality of York

Contact us

If you have any questions, please contact TransitStationCharge@ontario.ca.