Hamilton Today with Scott Thompson

Kid Running Around Like Crazy? That’ll Be $50!

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Radley: A restaurant in Georgia is charging a “Bad Parenting Fee” to customers whose children they have deemed too unruly and disruptive. A bevy of non-alcoholic beverages made by alcohol producers are hitting shelves, and the number of “sober-curious” people buying them up is growing. This fall marks the 10-year anniversary of Hamilton Health Sciences Mobile Cancer Screening Coach, a unique cancer screening program offered on a 45-foot-long coach bus tha...

Monster Truck headlining the Neighbourhood Block Party in celebration of the Grey Cup

The Hamilton Today Podcast with guest host Scott Radley: An innovative partnership between Mohawk College and CityHousing Hamilton (CHH) is helping to provide affordable housing units for people who live and work in Hamilton’s diverse community. 54 and 56 Hess are both up for being designated historical sites. Both are of importance, say historians in our area, but whereas 56 is secure and also home to local music hub ‘Doors Pub: Taco Joint & Metal Bar,’ 54 Hess is facing a bleak future. Our ...

AI's impact on Canadians and their news

The Hamilton Today Podcast with guest host Scott Radley: Hamilton City Centre MPP is now an independent after being booted from Ontario’s NDP, and what’s more, Sarah Jama is also censured by the Ford government. In addition to hiking prices and shrinking product sizes, some food companies have also been quietly downgrading ingredients to reduce manufacturing costs. Hamilton’s rail transit future bumped into its past after workers preparing for the city’s light rail transit project stumbled ac...

Sara Jama ousted from NDP caucus

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles says she has removed rookie legislator Sarah Jama from caucus. There is so much Taylor Swift everywhere… with other musicians, one may start to worry that soon she could reach her tipping point in popularity, but surely she passed the usual threshold a while ago. The U.S. is working to get their hostages back from Hamas before Israel’s offensive on Gaza ramps up. Stop Sprawl HamOnt has been a major force in combat...

Will lower inflation rates be enough to restore trust in the food industry?

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Amateur astronomers across Ontario will be watching the night sky this weekend when the Orionids meteor shower reaches its peak, October 21st - 22nd. Writing in The Bay Observer, John Best argues that environmental spending needs same rigorous scrutiny as other public spending in the city of Hamilton. Employees of the city’s horticultural department have been working tirelessly to plan and execute this year’s Mum Show at the Gage Park greenhouse...

Ukraine's Powerful U.S. Weapon Won't Change The Outcome; Putin claims

Putin says that Ukraine’s use of a powerful U.S. weapon won’t change war’s outcome. Is that true, what is the outcome? As time ticks on, are we relegating the ongoing Ukraine War to the periphery? GUEST: Aurel Braun, Professor of International Relations and a Senior Member of the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto. 

Controversial war memorial statue at St. Catharines city hall set to be removed

The Sarah Jama Situation Just Got Worse…

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Competitive forces have been on the decline in Canada at the same time as profits and price markups are on the rise, a new report from the Competition Bureau finds. NDP MPP Sarah Jama is threatening to serve Premier Doug Ford with a libel lawsuit, Global News has learned, over public statements that depicted Jama as having a “history of antisemitism,” which Jama argues have harmed her reputation. A 15-foot statue that has made its home on the fr...

Some Good News For Annual Rent Prices!

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Rental tracking services are suggesting average annual rent increases on new listings may level off for Ontarians in the next few months as the province enters a slower-moving season. How is Kitchener-Waterloo getting ready for colder months, with their community of tiny cabins for the unhoused population? The Red Hill report is nearing completion, while the cost nears $28Million. Netflix is opening brick-and-mortar locations, promising to deliv...

Bad Times For Sarah Jama

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Fears of a recession and pressure from inflation have Canadians feeling less like Santa and more like Scrooge heading into the holidays, a new survey from Deloitte Canada shows. A Canadian surveillance flight enforcing North Korea sanctions was intercepted by Chinese fighter jets on Monday, drawing criticism from Defence Minister Bill Blair. The Ford government has censured NDP MPP Sarah Jama. What does this mean for Queen’s Park? Xi Jinping and...

Belt and Road: Creating Debt One Poor Country At A Time

Xi Jinping and Putin to meet this week, but that’ is only one aspect of the gathering taking place in Beijing. World leaders are gathering in Beijing this week to hear Mr. Xi’s vision for the future of that project, which has come under growing criticism for failing to deliver on its grand promises, saddling poor countries with yet more debt, and acting as a tool for Chinese political influence. GUEST: Elliot Tepper, Emeritus Professor of Political Science with Carleton University. 

Is Canada’s Reputation Hurt Abroad?

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Anti-pipeline legislation has been shot down by the supreme court of Canada, and the Canadians Taxpayers Federation says that is a big win for taxpayers. Nearly one in two Canadians say the recent errant honouring of a 98-year-old Nazi veteran in Parliament has had a major impact on Canada's reputation abroad, while one third think Canada is providing too much financial support to Ukraine, recent Nanos polling finds. Suzanne Somers has died. Bil...

Did You See All Of The Motorcycles In Port Dover Today?

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: It’s Friday the 13th and for Port Dover, that means the community is once again welcoming thousands of motorcyclists to town! Swifties everywhere will be packing into theatres this weekend as the Taylor Swift ‘Eras’ tour concert film opens in cinemas. This weekend the federal New Democrats are holding an in-person convention for the first time in five years - and it’ll be in Hamilton. What are the local impacts of what we’re seeing happening in ...

It’s Democracy V. Authoritarianism.

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: The Ontario NDP’s handling of Hamilton City Centre MPP Sarah Jama and the situation that arose from her statements. Canada faces an uphill battle to recoup the roughly C$35 billion ($25.74 billion) in taxpayers’ money it has sunk into the Trans Mountain oil pipeline, as uncertainty over shipping tolls and a limited pool of buyers cloud the asset’s unique strategic value. In a new piece for the National Post, Tasha Kheiriddin argues that “Lumping...

The International Response to the Israel/Hamas Conflict

International response to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. GUEST: Aurel Braun, Professor of International Relations and a Senior Member of the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto.

Agreement reached between City of Hamilton and federal government to fast track housing units

The Hamilton Today Podcast with guest host Scott Radley: Yesterday, the Government of Canada and the City of Hamilton announced that they have reached an agreement to fast track over 2,600 housing units over the next three years. Our friend Bill Brioux is hosting a special series of screenings at The Westdale in Hamilton where he's been taking audiences back to the 1970s, showing the pilots for classic programs from the various eras of televised entertainment. Let's take a look at the Toronto...

These Are The International Repercussions of the Israel and Hamas War...

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Today the Government of Canada and the City of Hamilton announced that they have reached an agreement to fast track over 2,600 housing units over the next three years. We look at the toll taken on taxpayers by Trudeau’s Tofino trip. Changes are coming to hockey rinks across the country as Hockey Canada implements a new policy that bars players from fully undressing in change rooms. We look at the international response -- and repercussions -- ar...

HATS' pilot project for the North End has been cancelled

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Jagmeet Singh has been busy, calling out what he has described as Justin Trudeau’s out-of-touch response to grocery prices. He joins us now to continue the discussion! The Biindigen Well-Being Centre, a new Indigenous health and social services centre, will be built in Hamilton, transforming Indigenous health care throughout the region. Writing in the National Post, Tasha Kheiriddin says that the national pharmacare plan demanded by NDP as part ...

Conservatives Could Form A Majority Government?

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: If an election were to take place today, the federal Conservatives would capture enough seats in the House of Commons to form a majority government, new monthly projections from Nanos Research shows. The federal government will announce new guidelines Thursday aimed at cutting back on the use of outside consultants, a move that is part of an effort to shave about $15-billion from existing spending plans. The Conservatives lost their bid to strik...

Canada’s Speaker Ousted… Now It’s America’s Turn?

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Long-time listeners of the show know we like to turn the spotlight to small business in the area, and that’s what we’re about to do here! Should Hamilton do away with red light right turns? 16 of the bomb threats that were sent to Hamilton schools in recent weeks may not have come from Hamiltonians but instead could be from anywhere in the world. Is the NDP taking over the position in Canadian politics that was once held by the Liberals? While C...

Get Rid Of Red Light Right Turns?

You heard today’s poll question: should Hamilton do away with red light right turns? There is some concern that it might make things more confusing – and more hazardous – for drivers from out of town. GUEST: Angelo DiCicco, Special Project Manager with the Ontario Safety League. 

What's Going On With Canadian-Indian Relations Now?

What is it Canada doesn’t understand about India’s government, and their place in the current world of international relations? GUEST: Elliot Tepper, Emeritus Professor of Political Science with Carleton University. 

History Made In Cdn Parliament, Though After A Historic Embarrassment...

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Where are relations between the governments of Canda and India going? Other than seemingly downward, fast. You may remember when Shawn & Ed Brewing Co. in Dundas released a special ‘Stand with Ukraine’ lager last year. The local brewery and venue now wants to do more. They have announced a benefit concert on Sunday, October 15, featuring the folk/jazz band Kommuna Lux, originally from Odessa, Ukraine. Three years ago, the arrest of Cameron Ortis...

Green Day Coming To The Hammer!

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Over the weekend, Bob Doidge reached out to Scott with some very cool news concert news – coming up this November 28th at The Westdale. Elon Musk has weighed in on the new podcast rules that are part of the CRTC’s updated approach to streaming services in Canada. Green Day to play the Grey Cup! What’s it mean to have American bands play the CFL’s big game? Ontario pharmacists have had their prescription powers expanded. Is there now a quiet move...

'All Our Relations' set to be revealed tomorrow in Hamilton's West Harbour

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Fall fair season continues south of Hamilton with the 151st Caledonia Fair! We get a peak at what Hamilton has cooking for the 2023 Grey Cup festivities! As you heard on our airwaves a moment ago, there are now ads running from third-party groups attacking Pierre Poilievre, following a couple of weeks of the federal Conservative's new campaign to reintroduce Canadians to their leader. We get some U.S. political insight: some republicans are warn...

Resident in Hamilton neighbourhood plagued by 'terrible odour' questions air sampling

Had A Ticket for Springsteen? We’ve Got Some Bad News for You...

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Demand for electricity across Canada is forecast to double in the next 25 years, and all the signs from Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government indicate that nuclear energy will supply the biggest portion of the province's additional power needs. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s 2023 tour will be postponed until 2024, citing doctor’s advice. The Boss, who last week celebrated his 74th birthday, is “steadily recovering” from peptic ulcer ...

Trudeau Might Need To Look Up “Apology” In The Dictionary

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: The months-long Hollywood writers strike is over after the Writers Guild of America released the details of their tentative agreement with Hollywood studios. Did Prime Minister Justin Trudeau just apologize on live television? Seriously, we are asking. The word “apology” was used but does that count? What happens to parliament now that they are without a speaker? What has been the international fallout from Nazi Waffen SS veteran Yaroslav Hunka ...

The International Fallout From Nazi Invited To Parliament

What has been the international fallout from Nazi Waffen SS veteran Yaroslav Hunka being welcomed into Canadian parliament, and applauded as a war hero, due to an alleged complete lack of education about history among our leaders. Russia has jumped on this story, which is to be expected since it feeds right into their propaganda Ukrainian President Zelenskyy was present and clapping: how does this impact him? How else is this being viewed on the world stage amidst the backdrop of war in Uk...

Liberals Want To Strike This From The Record?

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: CarHacking: how thieves can steal your keys without ever touching them, and get in the driver’s seat of your vehicle. Writing in the Globe and Mail, Marsha Lederman expands on how it should have never come to pass that parliament welcomed in a veteran of a Nazi military unit. As disgraceful as it was, why and how could the Liberals possibly try to strike something from the record like the welcoming of a Nazi into parliament? The Speaker of the H...

House Of Commons Had What The Kids Would Call… "A Big Oof"

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: A rare asteroid sample has been brought back to Earth by OSIRIS-REx after its 7-year mission. Ontario’s legislature has resumed sitting after a summer recess, with a controversy about Greenbelt land removals looming large, despite Premier Doug Ford saying last week that he is reversing the decision. We look at the Security issues raised by the house of commons welcoming in 98-year-old Yaroslav Hunka, who fought as part of a Ukrainian Division in...

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s First Visit To Canada Met With Roaring Applause

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: The 6/49 jackpot is the largest in its history: if not one wins on Saturday, then Wednesdays will not only see a new record reached but also a guaranteed winner! Green Belt reversal, Cabinet shuffling, and a deal struck with the ETFO education workers: what is happening at Queen’s Park as the week comes to a close? Fill your weekend up with fairs! We look at the heated situation developing around Nora Frances Henderson Secondary School. Minister...

"Slava Ukraini" President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the House of Commons

“Slava Ukraini,” a voice shouted as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy entered the chamber of the House of Commons to give his historic address to Canadians. Zelenskyy appeared to wipe a tear away as he was met with a minute-long standing ovation before Trudeau gave his welcome speech emphasizing the “pivotal” moment facing the world, and pledging $650 million in new funding to support Ukraine over three years. GUEST: Aurel Braun, Professor of International Relations and a Senior Member ...

The Ancaster Fair opens today!

The Ancaster Fair starts today! What can people expect from this year's festivities? Guest: Paul Gibbons, Executive President, Ancaster Fair - Yesterday, the renovations at FirstOntario Centre were discussed at council. The renovations are scheduled to begin in early 2024. Guest: PJ Mercanti, CEO of Carmen’s Group, President of the Hamilton Urban Precinct Entertainment Group - On September 24th, Hamilton will be marking 125 years of hydroelectric power. Guest: Vic Djurdjevic, Nikola Tesla Edu...

Haven’t We Heard Enough From The Extremes?

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Talks about extremes today and when we might find a way back to the centre. In lighter news: Hamilton Comic-Con swings into action again this weekend! What is new for this weekend’s edition? This year will mark 30th year of Junkhouse’s seminal album “Strays” which they’ll mark by releasing a limited-edition vinyl and go an exclusive tour. What is the political fall out here at home from the situation that’s been evolving between Canada and India...

Volodmyr Zelenskyy at the UN today, says Russia is not to be trusted

Ukraine’s president Volodmyr Zelenskyy is at the UN today and will be coming to Canada for the 1st time since the war. At the UN today, he said that Russia is not to be trusted and that membership should be expanded.  GUEST: Elliot Tepper, Emeritus Professor of Political Science with Carleton University. 

Foreign Interference: First China, Now India? Who’s Driving The Bus Here!?

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Gas prices helped drive up inflation in August but here in Southern Ontario this week, the prices are expected to drop: what is going on? Relations with India are breaking down following the death of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in B.C., and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accusing the Government of India of being behind the assassination. The security issues around the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, allegedly acted out by ag...

CSIS Warned About Beijing 25 Years Ago?

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: You may remember Scott’s story of the unfortunate situation he witnessed playing out at an LCBO. We welcome Dan Malleck to the show to discuss how the LCBO handles alcohol, its clientele and its policies. There has been a burst of presentations and plans from the federal Liberals over the past several days. On the whole, what do these plan entail? Are they workable, do they resonate? A 25-year-old CSIS memo has come to light, bringing with it wa...

Removing GST on construction may be 'game changer' amid soaring rents, says Hamilton advocate

Documentary Starring… Hamilton (ft. some familiar faces!)

A new Hamilton-centric documentary is running at TIFF this year. Government websites in four provinces and territories were shut down Thursday, with at least two jurisdictions blaming cyberattacks for their outages. Should Doug Ford start focussing on Eastern Ontario for more productive homebuilding without the toxic politics? Putin is likely looking to bring Belarus into the fold, with his new friend, Kim John Un. Three’s company too! Trudeau is starting to address the troubles that many hav...

Liberals Finally Getting With The Program On Affordable Housing?

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: NASA has released their report on UAPs (formerly known as UFOs) and it is not Earthshattering, but they did stress that there are events that as-of-yet defy explanation. Writing in the Globe and Mail, our guest says that Putin and Kim Jong Un’s renewed collaboration is bad news for Asian democracies – and for Ukraine. The Toronto Rock – who make Hamilton their home – announced today that they will be able to finish up their season at the First O...

Kim Jong-Un + Putin = Bad News

Writing in the Globe and Mail, our guest says that Putin and Kim Jong Un’s renewed collaboration is bad news for Asian democracies – and for Ukraine. GUEST: Aurel Braun (PRONOUNCED "brown"), Professor of International Relations and a Senior Member of the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto.

Shift in renovation means Toronto Rock will play next season at Hamilton's FirstOntario

The Calls Have Been There For Years! Why Is The PM Now Talking About Building Houses?

Housing starts are at a 30-year high but it is not enough. We have covered the technology of Deepfakes and it the ramifications more than a few times on this show over the years, along with the warnings that the fabricated videos will get harder and harder to discern from the real ones. We look at the newest delays to the Trans Mountain Pipeline, and what its future might hold. Following the G20 summit, in which Trudeau wished Putin has been condemned harder, the Prime Minister found himself ...

The Plane Scott! The Plane!

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on politicians to reject recent EV battery corporate welfare following today’s Parliamentary Budget Officer report showing governments won’t break even for 20 years – four times longer than originally promised. Steven Tyler has blown out his vocal cords, and has to cancel Aerosmith shows – including one in Toronto – while he heals. Kim Jong Un of North Korea has landed in Russia, for a presumed weapon...

PM Stuck in New Dehli, Send An Uber Plane! Just Don’t Lose His Luggage

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: We look at agriculture and what role it plays in the Ontario Greenbelt. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will spend at least another night in India waiting for his plane to be fixed after it was grounded Sunday night. How is the news from the Convoy Trial resonating with Ottawa citizens, and what does someone with a wide array of political experience think of it all? It is the 22nd anniversary of 9/11. We talk with security expert Phil Gurski about...

It’s Not A Law LCBO So Calm Down!

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: In case you hadn’t noticed, it’s Supercrawl weekend in downtown Hamilton! Scott witnessed a debacle at the LCBO last night that left him with a bad taste in his mouth and some questions about how things are being run. What happens when an employee or organization steps way outside the spirit of a policy, and enforces it to an over-the-top degree? Taking a look at the Conservative convention might not yield too much that is lively… a new logo? Hm...

Going To Supercrawl 2023? Here’s Some Good Stuff!

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: The outrage sparked by a passenger incident involving a vomit-smeared airplane seat reflects a broader frustration with flight operations in Canada, travel specialists say. We’re talking Supercrawl stuff, including Grant Avenue Studio and Beckett Fine Art Gallery. New polling from Angus Reid shows which federal leader Canadians think would make a better Prime Minister. The Rolling Stones have a new single, and have announced the release date for...

The Rolling Stones Are Back!?

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Where are we with viruses in 2020, and is worrying over a “tripledemic” worth the same amount of time and energy as previous years? Tim Hortons is now offering more than doughnuts, more than soup, more than muffins and… whatever that steak sandwich was they were pitching for a while… now they have fashionable Timmies apparel. Canadian pipeline giant Enbridge Inc. is betting big on the long-term value of natural gas in the energy transition as th...

R.I.P. Jimmy Buffett. Off to Paradise (maybe with a cheeseburger)

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Over the weekend, we learned of the death of Jimmy Buffett. According to Naomi Buck’s op-ed in the Globe and Mail, Cellphones have taken over our classrooms, and it’s been a disaster. According to the Canadian Taxpayer’s Federation, those who believe Canada’s official residences are crumbling due to a lack of funding may have missed something: the numbers. You may remember talk of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. It is one of the steps away from ...