Hamilton Today with Scott Thompson

May 2-4 Weekend Festivities In The Hammer! Let’s Take A Look…

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Officers from across the country gathered in Ottawa and marched in unison in a solemn parade to a funeral held at the city’s main hockey arena, for Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Eric Mueller, the 10th officer killed on the job in Canada in the last eight months. What sort of festivities does the City of Hamilton have planned for this Victoria Day? We check in with Ryan McHugh, to find out what you can expect at the Driving Park in Dundas. The G...

First Ontario Centre’s Renovation Schedule… What Is Happening?

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: What is coming up at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park as the season gets ready to get underway? Hamilton City Councillors have approved a pause to all remaining COVID-19 vaccine provisions under the city’s mandatory vaccine verification policy starting. In an event that feels all-too-familiar to even just the public, we are getting word of a “near catastrophic” car chase in New York City involving paparazzi… and a vehicle carrying Meghan and Pr...

Why Gen Z Are Ditching Smartphones For “Dumb Phones”

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: The annual pace of inflation rose in April for the first time since it peaked in June last year, a move some economists say will test the Bank of Canada's decision to pause hiking interest rates if the economy does not cool as expected later this year. Omar H. Fares wrote about the trend toward “dumb phones” in a recent piece for The Conversation, and he joins us now. What are a prospective passenger’s rights in the face of the WestJet strike? T...

What happened with the Stellantis deal?

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Ongoing trouble with so-called “police stations” operating in Canada on behalf of Xi Jinping’s government. What happened with the Stellantis deal? We have an update on the Alberta fires from Edmonton, Trudeau visiting recently before heading off to the G7 meet in Japan to tighten sanctions on Russia and much more. These changing global relations will affect supply chain: but how? Mohawk College and Transport Canada’s Innovation Centre have agree...

Hungry? Check out Sew Hungry this weekend!

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: If you have had enough of tents and trailers out in the wilderness, why not try… Glamping! Marking 10 years of festivities, Sew Hungry – Hamilton’s annual restaurant and food truck rally – is returning to Ottawa Street this Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.! What have we learned about the shooting death OPP Sgt. Mueller, and the injuries to his colleagues. We also speak to Prof Daniel Jones about the perception of policing in our culture right no...

Remembering Margaret Juravinski, a woman of the people who was for the people

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Radley: Brock University researcher Renata Roma’s paper, ‘My 'Perfect' Dog: Undesired Dog Behaviours and Owners' ‘Coping Styles’ looks at how the relationship between dogs and their owners ultimately affected the behaviour of the humans as well as their well-being and quality of life. Some changes are proposed for the Canadian passport, what are the pros and what are the cons of the new design? The Toronto Maple Leafs saved their necks last night and are ...

“Why Not Wine?” this coming Mother's Day

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Radley: How does “Gordon Lightfoot Square” sound to you? Better than Yonge-Dundas? The Canadian government spent thousands of dollars to fund stage productions where seniors in other countries share their sex stories in front of live audiences. No… this isn’t a skit from Royal Canadian Air Farce, it is very real. Hamilton’s Bridgeworks will be home to the ‘Why Not Wine?’ festival this weekend on May 12 and 13. What are the pros, cons and concerns of Bill ...

Do You Like Drones? So Does Mohawk College!

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: It’s Billy Joel’s Birthday! You’re never going to guess how old he is. Hamilton’s Mohawk College has established a new research site in the area for remotely piloted aircraft systems, or RPAS (more commonly known as drones). A New York jury has reached a verdict in E. Jean Carroll's civil suit against former President Donald Trump, the judge in the case said Tuesday. A Toronto restaurateur has proposed we rename Young-Dundas Square in honour of ...

Mohawk College, Transport Canada agreement to test drones near Hamilton beach

Canada is finally expelling a Chinese diplomat

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Victory Day, Russia's most important secular holiday, has been overshadowed by the ongoing war in Ukraine this year. Over the weekend, thousands of fans flocked to Orillia, Ontario, to pay respects to Gordon Lightfoot at his visitation. Ottawa is clamping down on China’s critical-minerals foray in Canada, but not on prospecting. What does this mean? Coronation roundup! Ontario has passed a health-reform bill that will allow more private clinics ...

R.I.P. Bob Wade, Former Mayor of the City of Hamilton.

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Former Mayor of the City of Hamilton Bob Wade has passed away. Current Mayor Andrea Horwath made the announcement at City Council today. Bob Wade served as the mayor of Hamilton from 2000–2003. He was the first mayor following amalgamation. We talk with former Mayors Larry Di lanni, Fred Eisenberger, and current mayor Andrea Horwath. Tomorrow is the Coronation of King Charles III. What does this event and the U.K. monarchy mean for Canadians in ...

Concerns continue over China's interference in Canada and the inaction in response

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: As the Government continues to respond to foreign interference concerns and information coming out of CSIS, some are seeing the situation become increasingly drastic… including the suggestion that this may be cause for Prime Minister Trudeau to step aside. The PSAC strike is fully over but there has been talk of the upsides and downsides of the results of the tentative deals reached. Ontario Premier Doug Ford has announced that Moderna Inc. is p...

Hamilton police's new camera tech is on the road and reading licence plates

Chinese Interference in Canada, and how Trudeau thinks the system works

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Hamilton Police Service (HPS) have started using automatic licence plate readers and in-car cameras in vehicles. Hamilton’s Dr. Disc smashes single-day sales record on Record Store Day. They have seen the vinyl wax and wane over the years, but it is going strong in 2023! Trudeau says CSIS is directed to tell officials of threats now: was this not the case before and how is his statement working toward getting a handle on the interference trouble...

Aurel Braun on Hamilton Today: May 3rd, 2023

The Kremlin says that a drone attack has taken place over Russian soil, and that it was a Ukrainian attempt at assassinating Putin. As much as the presentation of this story should be taken with a grain of salt, we ask: how will this escalate and impact the war?  Aurel Braun, Professor of International Relations and a Senior Member of the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto.

Remembering the Legacy of Gordon Lightfoot, a Canadian Icon.

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Biggest story this day, Gordon Lightfoot has passed away at the age of 84 last night. We reflect on the legacy of the Canadian icon as the performer, as well as the person. The Writer Guild ahs gone on strike and late night is already impacted. How will this roll out? In the Globe and Mail, Mike Moffat co-authored a piece on what is needed to get more rental housing built in Canada. He joins us now to dig into the discussion. The evidence of Chi...

Toronto Maple Leafs In The Playoffs! … But Good Luck Getting Tickets

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Toronto Maple Leafs fans hoping to make a trip down south to catch a playoff game against the Florida Panthers will hit an unexpected roadblock. Scott talks axe throwing with Will. We hope you got your taxes done, because they’re due by today. China sees Canada as a “high-priority target” and employs “incentives and punishment” as part of a vast influence network directed at legislators, business executives and diaspora communities in this count...

Moshe Lander on Hamilton Today 23/05/01

Toronto Maple Leafs fans hoping to make a trip down south to catch a playoff game against the Florida Panthers will hit an unexpected roadblock. According to a notice on Ticketmaster's website, tickets to the second round series will be restricted to residents of the United States. GUEST: Moshe Lander, Senior Economics Lecturer, Concordia University.

What is happening with the PSAC strike?

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Since we learned of the death of Jerry Springer yesterday, a question has been percolating… how much of an impact did his show have on the world? What is happening with the PSAC strike, and what can we expect int he coming few days? China is poised to crackdown on foreigners within its borders, including journalists and those conducting business. This is thanks to a new, broad counter-espionage law. Prime Minister Tudeau’s trip to New York City ...

Elliot Tepper on Hamilton Today. April 28th, 2023

Daytime talk icon and former mayor of Cincinnati Jerry Springer has died at the age of 79

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: This afternoon, the McMaster Digital Transformation Research Centre launched MUXL: a mobile laboratory that will allow the research centre to extend its work across Ontario. It will be a vehicle for scientific discovery, yes a literal vehicle. Scott speaks with Milena Head, director of the Mac Digital Transformation Research Centre for more. As the federal public service strike is into its second week, a new poll has found that Canadians are div...

Aurel Braun on hamilton Today. April 27, 2023

Day 8 of the Federal Civil Service Strike, And They’re Still Getting Paid!

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on the federal government to immediately stop paying striking employees and commit to clawing back every dime. After a three-year hiatus, the Re-enactment of the Battle of Stoney Creek returns to Battlefield House Museum and Park. The Ontario government said Tuesday it is introducing a number of new measures to boost lagging police recruitment numbers, including eliminating a post-secondary education ...

Why can't the HWDSB just name schools after great people?

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: The Tokyo-based company ispace aimed at being the first private company to land on the Moon. Only governments have landed on our planet’s closest neighbour, so far, but how long until it becomes an easy target for private concerns and public concerns? What happens when everyone wants in on the action? Space fanatic Paul Delaney joins Scott as he so often does to get a view of the stars. Are you getting bothered by the integration of sports betti...

Hamilton's public board to stop naming schools after people, will review existing labels

Carlson out at Fox, and Lemon out at CNN. Will we finally get some balance?

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Happy new week here on 900CHML! F1 has announced that 100% sustainable drop-in fuel will go hand-in-hand with their new 2026 engines. Erik Tomas, Raceline Radio host and known motorhead, gives Scott his analysis. Did Ed Sheeran’s song ‘Thinking Out Loud’ rip off Marvin Gaye’s famous ‘Let’s Get It On’? A jury will decide… Alan Cross, Ongoing History of New Music Podcast, has his view. While Tucker Carlson is “parting ways” with Fox News, it seems...

Will the VW plant be a boon for Ontario? Or just a bust?

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Happy Friday! We here at 900 CHML are ready and raring to go for a great time, especially those Monster Truck fanatics who will be excited as this weekend Monster Jam comes to Hamilton! Scott has a chat with Armando Castro, driver of El Toro Loco and Monster Jam champion. Tomorrow marks Earth Day and the Nature Conservancy of Canada has been pushing for land conservation across the country. Where does Ontario stand when it comes to land protecti...

Welcome back to the Sound of Music Festival!

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Happy Thursday, there’s certainly no other occasion to be happy about on this day…, right? Top of mind for Scott today: The city’s plans for the waterfront is expected to generate millions of dollars in taxes. - This week another secret police station operated by China was found in New York City. - The Sound of Music returns in June, and they’ve released their line up! - A new McMaster residence in the downtown core has been facing some criticis...

Canada's formula shortage isn't quite what it seems

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: With baby formula still in short supply and high demand, Canada has everything it needs to start producing and ease the stress of parents… so what is the issue? Well, Food Professor Charlebois says that China has its hands in there and speaks with Scott for more. The Leafs didn’t do so hot last night… in fact, they were booed off of the ice. Was that warranted? Sean Fitz-Gerald has more for Scott. Get ready: there’s a new song from Drake featuri...

The CBC IS government funded, the sky is NOT falling

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Top of mind on this Tuesday for Scott are the CBC getting hit with the “Government funded media” label on Twitter, Galen Weston leaving the CEO role at Loblaws, gas prices in Ontario spiking, CCP police stations operating in America, and how much is wind generation costing Ontarians? Scott’s guest says it does not look pretty this month. It is all coming up on the Hamilton Today Podcast. Guests: Elissa Freeman, PR and Pop Culture Expert. Parker ...

What's inside that new education budget?

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Happy Monday, did we miss anything? The announcement of Hockey Canada’s return to Ottawa’s good graces came right when our Women’s Team was in the spotlight. Odd timing that almost detracted from the event. How did this happen and what is with the timing? Postmedia Sports Columnist Scott Stinson joins Scott for more. Did you know that there is maple syrup fraud? Scott couldn’t either, but researchers from the University of Guelph are hoping to c...

Finally Katie Telford Testifies... Wish She Could Have Said Something More, Though

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Happy Friday, a scorcher once again in the Hammer. Right off the hop, Hamilton’s city council declared a state of emergency on Thursday over homelessness, opioid addiction and mental health issues in the city. Mayor Andrea Horwath joins Scott for more. In a new piece for the National Post, Randall Denley writes that by ditching density requirements, Ontario will get more housing built. Randall joins us to expand his argument. Did we miss anythin...

Hamilton officially declares state of emergency over homelessness, opioid addiction, and mental health

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Scott is back in the saddle! McMaster has developed a specialized robot to fling a hammer into space… no, really. Dr. S. Andrew Gadsden, McMaster researcher on this project, gives Scott the low down. "Covid-Elvis" has been staging food drives in and around our area for the past few years. This Friday, he will be celebrating his third anniversary! He joins us to reflect on the journey and share the details of how to catch the show. We also get mo...

Should Canada adopt an SAT like system?

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Radley: Scott Radley steps in on Hamilton Today. Top of mind for Scott: Should Canada pivot to an American SAT-like system for standardizing grades? Ancaster High has been pinpointed as the most egregious source of “grade inflation” by the University of Waterloo, where students have not met the expectations of their grades. A 94% may really be a 78%. Education expert Paul Bennett joins Scott for that. The Blue Jays are back, and Torontonians are still gid...

Is Canada too vulnerable to cyber attacks?

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Al Jaffee, Mad magazine’s award-winning cartoonist responsible for the famous Fold-Ins and the snark of “Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions,” has died at the age 102. Scott speaks with The Spec’s Graeme McKay on Jaffee’s legacy. Wanna get on a boat? Hamilton has SoBi bikes, communal e-scooters, ride shares and rentable cars and soon… Boat Share, thanks to Finland’s Skipperi. Keven Dextradeur of Skipperi joins Scott for that. King Charels III’s c...

Boat share Skipperi set to launch service for Ontario in May

Stop sanitizing art, it will ruin history

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Happy Thursday ahead of a long weekend here on Hamilton Today! Did you hear that David Johnston’s big rapporteur announcement was scheduled for today? So technically it is not on a Friday before the weekend, but it is still the same old media strategy. Scott covers that and a variety of other topics. When the federal dental plan rolls out, Dental hygienists are expecting an influx of Canadians who haven’t been able to afford to have their teeth ...

Carbon tax is NOT revenue neutral, despite what the feds told us

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Holy April Rain, Batman! The Hammer and London town got hit with some heinous rain today, but Scott powered through to bring you the best in Hamilton radio! 24 Sussex Drive is filled with dead rats! Literally, it’s not just a weird insult. Is it time to move on from the premises? Sabrina Maddeaux, NatPo columnist, joins Scott for more on the history of dilapidation at the Prime Minister’s residence. An officer in President Vladimir Putin's secre...

Elliot Tepper on Hamilton Today. April 5th, 2023

City of Hamilton has launched their new electric scooter (e-scooter) pilot program

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: The City of Hamilton, in partnership with Bird Canada, will has launched their new electric scooter (e-scooter) pilot program! Scott can’t keep his feet on the ground, so we continue looking up to the skies with astronomy professor Paul Delaney about what it takes to be a Canadian astronaut. Global News has spent weeks speaking to those who have escaped China for Canada, who say the CCP’s influence extends beyond its country’s borders. Some are ...

We're sending more Canadians to space, trying to get back to the moon

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Big news on this Monday that should make us all proud: Canadian Astronaut Jeremy Hansen will be headed into deep space as part of the Artemis II mission. We get more information from the Canadian Space Agency. Scott speaks with Edward Tabarah, head of the Canadian Astronaut Corps. Scott also speaks with politics professor Wayne Petrozzi about Elections Ontario wanting to ban opinion polls in the leadup to elections due to how much influence they...

Michael Kempa on Hamilton Today. March 31st, 2023

Aurel Braun on Hamilton Today. April 3rd, 2023

The tragedies on the St Lawrence are a reminder of why we need border protection

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: It was an intense Friday and Scott was there to get us all through! The Vatican has rejected the Doctrine of Discovery, which played a major role in colonial thinking for centuries. Scott speaks with Cody Groat, asst. professor of history and indigenous studies at Western U, about what this means to the community. Scott has spoken to Kelly Murphy before about her experience with Multiple System Atrophy. She returns to the show. There is finally ...

Pierre Poilievre on bringing common sense back to Canadian governance

The Nova Scotia shooting's final report has been released

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: With patio season almost here, there is good news for Hamilton eateries: a motion passed at a recent general issues committee meeting, local restaurants looking to have on-street patios this year will see some of their costs waived by the city. Ted McMeekin, Hamilton’s Ward 15 councilor who tabled the motion, joins Scott for details. The Vatican on Thursday responded to Indigenous demands and formally repudiated the "Doctrine of Discovery," the ...

David Masson on Hamilton Today. March 30th, 2023

New falcon eggs in the Hammer, Tech leaders warn about AI, and more on the new federal budget

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: The new federal budget dropped yesterday, and now that the dust has settled what do we get from this, and what are the other parties thinking? Scott has you covered for that today with Dr. Ian Lee and Professor Steven Pomeroy. Locally, two new falcon eggs have been spotted in the nest of the birds that make downtown Hamilton’s Sheraton Hotel their home. Christa Jackson, Falcon Watch Coordinator, gives Scott an update. Is Canada ready for a borde...

Budget day! It's like Christmas without presents

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Federal budget day and Scott is as excited as can be! Over the course of the afternoon we were drip fed info and had a good hearty reaction with former Liberal MP Dan McTeague, and macroeconomics PhD Dr. Eric Kam. Along the way Scott chats with Elissa Freeman about the city of Regina’s marketing direction. The city that rhymes with fun, as they say. The Young and the Restless is approaching its 50th year on the air, television critic Bill Brioux...

The feds are making drinkers the April Fool

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: On April 1st, the Federal government's alcohol tax hike comes into effect, making drinkers the April Fool this year! How will it affect restaurants, how are businesses preparing? Awnish Srivastava, President of Unique Restaurant Group, gives Scott some insight. Hamilton’s city council has mulled a multi-million dollar plan to address and end chronic homelessness, but what is actually needed to address how bad the situation has become? Good Sheph...