Mississauga will finally see the long-awaited City Centre light-rail transit loop as part of the Hazel Mc Callion Line initiative, announced Ontario Premier Doug Ford to a group of local business leaders on Wednesday morning.
During a breakfast event organized by the Mississauga Board of Trade at the Mississauga Convention Centre, Ford reiterated his commitment – yet again – to making the “downtown loop” happen, according to city officials.
Mayor Carolyn Parrish and Deputy Mayor John Kovac (who also serves as Ward 4 councillor), present for Ford’s address, mentioned at Wednesday’s general committee meeting that the premier reaffirmed his backing for a project that has long been seen by Mississauga officials as vital to the Hurontario Street LRT route – previously named the Hazel Mc Callion Line in tribute to the city’s legendary former mayor.
Just two weeks ago, City of Mississauga representatives stated they were no longer content with just verbal assurances regarding the City Centre LRT loop and pledged to urge the province to take decisive action.
They called upon provincial authorities for “a clear implementation plan” regarding this “essential” loop meant for completion in downtown, where projections indicate that population could reach 100,000 by 2050.
The provincial government announced in January 2024 that it was reinstating plans for the downtown loop as part of its $4.6-billion Hazel Mc Callion Line LRT project – which marks the largest transit endeavor in Mississauga’s history – after initially removing it from proposals in a cost-reduction effort back in 2019.
The Hon. @fordnation, Premier of #Ontario, provides remarks this morning, discussing topics of trade, transit, taxes, and more pic. twitter. com/6tvhld NFJo
– Mississauga Board of Trade (@MBOTOntario) February 4, 2026
However, since then there have been no additional details or plans shared by government officials or Metrolinx, which is overseeing this significant transit project.
This week, as Mississauga completed its annual provincial pre-budget submission outlining key priorities needing funding from the province, city officials included a request for clearer government support regarding the downtown loop.
The planned loop will branch off Hurontario Street near Square One Shopping Centre and circulate around high-rise condos and office buildings along with various businesses once it’s finished.
“Essential” piece of the Hazel Mc Callion Line
City officials emphasize that it’s an “essential” piece of what will be a 22-kilometre LRT route stretching from Mississauga to Brampton along Hurontario Street without any set completion date currently provided.
A draft presented two weeks ago during their funding request indicated that with forecasts showing downtown’s population rising to nearly 100,000 by 2050 amidst over 100 residential and office towers nearby, “the downtown extension is a critical piece of infrastructure that will support economic development and housing densification.”
(Source: Metrolinx)
The city added that while construction on the Hazel Mc Callion Line progresses forward, “we’re waiting for Metrolinx to provide an implementation plan for the downtown extension. We’re asking for collaboration between provincial authorities and Metrolinx to create a clear timeline for this essential project.”
A year ago around this time, Mississauga Ward 6 Coun. Joe Horneck expressed mild concerns about whether or not there would be actual follow-through on commitments surrounding the downtown loop.
“One of our big asks (of the provincial government) has been the downtown loop which we keep hearing ‘It’s good to go,’” Horneck remarked last year during city council discussions while adding “except we’ve never actually had a photo op there or seen announcements from our premier here at Celebration Square confirming something tangible.” The City Centre needs this loop according to Mayor Parrish Parrish voiced her agreement during an early 2025 meeting regarding how vital it is specifically for enhancing connectivity within downtown.
She explained how observing areas like City Centre around Square One shows all those high-rise condos and commercial spaces filled with people; “you realize how big that area is. If you can’t have your transit service circulating through there effectively then what’s even the point?”
“It’s crucial especially now since we’re developing properties without mandatory parking regulations; we’ve got to make sure people use public transport instead.” The completed Hurontario Street LRT line will feature over twenty passenger stops catering directly to users from Port Credit GO station all way up north towards Brampton’s downtown region.
Originally slated open sometime in fall 2024; however delays have significantly pushed back timelines further without revised completion estimates given so far by Metrolinx.
Recently believing riders might start using this much-delayed LRT route around mid-year twenty-sixth year; Parrish altered her outlook stating recently she doesn’t expect services operational before late twenty-ninth year when interviewed earlier late twenty-fifth year by INsauga. com.
If accurate that projection places major transit development well four-to-five years behind schedule compared earlier promises made regarding readiness dates.
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The Hon. @fordnation, Premier of #Ontario, provides remarks this morning, discussing topics of trade, transit, taxes, and more pic. twitter. com/6tvhld NFJo
– Mississauga Board of Trade (@MBOTOntario) February 4, 2026
However, since then there have been no additional details or plans shared by government officials or Metrolinx, which is overseeing this significant transit project.
This week, as Mississauga completed its annual provincial pre-budget submission outlining key priorities needing funding from the province, city officials included a request for clearer government support regarding the downtown loop.
The planned loop will branch off Hurontario Street near Square One Shopping Centre and circulate around high-rise condos and office buildings along with various businesses once it’s finished.
“Essential” piece of the Hazel Mc Callion Line
City officials emphasize that it’s an “essential” piece of what will be a 22-kilometre LRT route stretching from Mississauga to Brampton along Hurontario Street without any set completion date currently provided.
A draft presented two weeks ago during their funding request indicated that with forecasts showing downtown’s population rising to nearly 100,000 by 2050 amidst over 100 residential and office towers nearby, “the downtown extension is a critical piece of infrastructure that will support economic development and housing densification.”
(Source: Metrolinx)
The city added that while construction on the Hazel Mc Callion Line progresses forward, “we’re waiting for Metrolinx to provide an implementation plan for the downtown extension. We’re asking for collaboration between provincial authorities and Metrolinx to create a clear timeline for this essential project.”
A year ago around this time, Mississauga Ward 6 Coun. Joe Horneck expressed mild concerns about whether or not there would be actual follow-through on commitments surrounding the downtown loop.“One of our big asks (of the provincial government) has been the downtown loop which we keep hearing ‘It’s good to go,’” Horneck remarked last year during city council discussions while adding “except we’ve never actually had a photo op there or seen announcements from our premier here at Celebration Square confirming something tangible.” The City Centre needs this loop according to Mayor Parrish Parrish voiced her agreement during an early 2025 meeting regarding how vital it is specifically for enhancing connectivity within downtown.
She explained how observing areas like City Centre around Square One shows all those high-rise condos and commercial spaces filled with people; “you realize how big that area is. If you can’t have your transit service circulating through there effectively then what’s even the point?”
“It’s crucial especially now since we’re developing properties without mandatory parking regulations; we’ve got to make sure people use public transport instead.” The completed Hurontario Street LRT line will feature over twenty passenger stops catering directly to users from Port Credit GO station all way up north towards Brampton’s downtown region.
Originally slated open sometime in fall 2024; however delays have significantly pushed back timelines further without revised completion estimates given so far by Metrolinx.
Recently believing riders might start using this much-delayed LRT route around mid-year twenty-sixth year; Parrish altered her outlook stating recently she doesn’t expect services operational before late twenty-ninth year when interviewed earlier late twenty-fifth year by INsauga. com.
If accurate that projection places major transit development well four-to-five years behind schedule compared earlier promises made regarding readiness dates.
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