PSAC Card

Port Security Access Card (“PSAC”)

The PSAC is a plastic identification card with name, company name, access permission information, physical statistics and photograph; together with a proximity microchip which will allow the card readers at gates to verify information and automatically open gates for access. The PSAC does not need to be ‘swiped’, merely held in front of the card reader.

Cards may be obtained through the Port Security Centre. Current hours of the Port Security Centre are:

Open: Monday / Wednesday/ Friday between 8:00 am- 3:00 pm

Closed: Tuesday/ Thursday/ Holidays

Port Security Centre
450 Sherman Ave
Hamilton, Ontario
905.525.4330 ext 227
[email protected]
pdf icon Directions to the Port Security Centre

There are four types of PSACs available:

Card Type Contractor Access Limited Access (Tenant) Restricted Access (Tenant) TSC-R2 Access*
Colour Yellow Green Red Red with Blue Stripe
Expiration 3 years 5 years 5 years 5 years
Cost (incl. Tax) $60.00 $60.00 $60.00 $60.00
Lost, stolen or damaged cards will be replaced at a cost of $20.00.

Effective January 1st, 2025, the cost for the Port Security Access Cards will increase.

Below outlines the expiry date and cost for the various Port Security Access Cards:

Card Type Contractor Access Limited Access
(Tenant)
Limited Access
(Tenant)
Temporary Restricted Access
(Tenant)
TSC-R2 Access*
Colour Yellow Green Red Black Red with Blue Stripe
Expiration 3 years from date issued 5 years from date issued 5 years from date issued 3 years from date issued 5 years from date issued
Cost (incl. Tax)
$75.00 $75.00 $75.00 $75.00 $75.00
Lost, stolen or damaged cards will be replaced at a cost of $30.00.

* TSC-R2 Access Cards are only available to applicants requiring and passing Transport Canada background checks. Further information on this type of access is available at:
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesecurity/regulatory-initiatives-infopackagemtscp-197.htm

Application Process

PSAC application forms are available at the Port Security Centre or Online (see below). The completed application must be submitted in person, along with two pieces of government-issued photo ID (see below) and the signed endorsement of an HOPA Marine Facility or Port Tenant or a person with signing authority on behalf of the applicant.

Fees can be paid by debit, cheque, Mastercard or Visa.

pdf icon Download the Port Security Access Card Application. (153KB PDF, opens in new window)

Lost or stolen cards must be reported immediately to the Port Security Office at 905.525-3412. They will be replaced at a cost of $20.00, at the discretion of the HOPA. Cards must be returned to the Port Security Centre when expired or no longer required.

Acceptable Identification for PSAC Application

Valid, tamper-resistant government issued photo ID cards containing personal details such as name, description, address and other pertinent data are acceptable forms of identification when applying for a PSAC. These include:

  • Provincial driver’s license with photograph
  • Canadian passport
  • Canadian citizenship card with photograph
  • Ontario Health card with photograph
  • Canadian Armed Forces identification card
  • LCBO BYID photo card
  • Photo ID Card issued by a government agency
  • Employee photo ID from another Canadian Port Authority

Identification of Personnel Entering Port

All personnel must carry a valid PSAC, such that it is visible, and shall be presented upon request to any Port Security Personnel, Transport Canada or a Police representative. While conducting roving patrols, Port Security Personnel may request any persons to identify themselves. Failure to do so may result in the individual being escorted off the property.

  • All marine facilities are responsible to control access into and on their own facility as required by their approved Transport Canada Security Plans and the Marine Transportation Security Regulations.
  • Truck & Vehicle Operators – Each facility is responsible for access for persons, trucks and other vehicles that enter their facility as required by their Transport Canada Security Plans and the Marine Transportation Security Regulations. Vehicle Operators/ Security are required to apply for a PSAC to facilitate entry to port property.
  • Visitors – Visitors that enter the facilities are subject to the access control measures outlined in the facility’s Transport Canada Security Plans and the Marine Transportation Security Regulations. Visitors without a PSAC must be accompanied at all times by a person who has a valid PSAC and will take responsibility for the actions of the visitor while on port property.
  • Vessel crew and passengers – Vessel crew and passengers’ access control measures will be the responsibility of each facility as outlined in their Transport Canada Security Plans and the Marine Transportation Security Regulations.

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.

Janet Knight

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer for the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority since 2008, Janet joined the HPA in 1998 as Accounting Supervisor and subsequently served as Controller.

Prior to joining the HPA, Janet held the position of Financial Analyst with St. Joseph’s Hospital, as well as various positions, including Marketing Communications/Research Lead with Zeneca Agro. Janet graduated from McMaster University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Commerce. She attained the professional designation of Certified Management Accountant in 1992.

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.