Scott Thompson Show

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Canadian astronomers have discovered an Earth-like planet 90 Lightyears away, and it might be covered in volcanoes! As Peel is set to be dissolved, eyes turn to other regions to see how welcoming they are to the idea. What about Waterloo? The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on Ontario Premier Doug Ford not to give any additional corporate welfare payments to Stellantis. Today, the North Wall Riders Association -- a Hamilton-based motorcycle club -- provided a repatriation ceremony for Cole Zelenco, a Canadian who died in Ukraine in April. Zelenco was on his second tour volunteering as a fighter with Ukrainian forces serving with Ukraine’s International Legion, which was attached to the 92nd Mechanized Brigade. It is all coming up on the Hamilton Today Podcast! Guests: Björn Benneke, Associate Professor of Astrophysics, Head of Astronomy Group, Department of Physics, Université de Montréal. Jeffrey Dvorkin, Senior Fellow at Massey College, Former Directo

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 G7 leaders have gathered in Japan for the 49th summit. It comes at what some may call a historic turning point. What are their priority items, what makes this summit stand out? The Region of Peel will be dissolved by January 2025, the Ford government announced, as the province revealed its plans to restructure the local and regional governments and convert Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon into single-tier municipalities. It is all coming up on the Hamilton Today Podcast! Guests: Mike Drolet, Toronto correspondent for Glob

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 Prince Harry. What is happening with the First Ontario Centre’s renovation schedule? There have been delays and reports of different events taking place in or around the Centre. Yesterday, MP Michael Chong testifed that he had met with CSIS three times in recent years, regarding direct threats he had received. He also mentioned that he has not heard from family members in China in some time. It is all coming up on the Hamilton Today Podcast! Guests: Sam Fellows, Marketing, PR & Media Specialist for Canadian Tire Motrosport

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? The City of Hamilton’s director of housing services says sanctioned tents at a yet-to-be-designated site in Hamilton are aimed at not only keeping track of those experiencing homelessness in the city but also offering dignity for those relegated to encampments. What the Heck happened with the Stellantis deal in Windsor, and what will come of it? Is this just a case of companies and governments playing hardball, or is it time to worry? It is all coming up on the Hamilton Today Podcast! Guests: Michael Veall, Professor Econo

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 agreed to work together on research projects related to remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS, commonly known as drones). It is all coming up on the Hamilton Today Podcast! Guests: Marcus Kolga, Senior Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute’s Centre for Advancing Canada’s Interests Abroad, and founder of DisinfoWatch.org. David Booth, Senior Writer/Postmedia Driving, driving.ca. Matti Siemiatycki, Director of the infrastructure institute & professor of geography and planning with University of Toronto. Sarah Komadina, Dig

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 now. The story of Blackberry is hitting the screen… sort of. Let’s hear what Carmi Levy has to say as he adds movie critic to his resume! Plus: How might China – and Xi Jinping – handle an increasingly rough relationship with a Canadian government that is not acting as friendly as it used to? We have heard talk that China needs Canada, and that fact is starting to dawn on businesses and leaders if it is not understood already. While we start to understand what that means for us... China may have to contend with a Canada tha

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 still in the playoffs! Now all they have to do is win three games in a row! Ontario Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli calls it the “sleeper story” of the province’s massive auto industry transition now that sights are being set on lithium hydroxide. Remembering Margaret Juravinski with former Hamilton mayor Fred Eisenberger & Don Fox. Why should Canada worry about trade deals with China anymore? Some are saying that they need us as much as we may need them, and they already retaliate over every arguable slight agai

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 C-11 and the CRTC becoming involved with The Internet in Canada? How will trade with China be impacted by recent events, what sort of long-term trouble could both governments get themselves into, and is a trade war in the cards? New Passports, online registration and safety protocols: what it means for travelers. It is all coming up on the Hamilton Today Podcast! Guests: Steven Ellis, Sports journalist, associate editor with The Daily Faceoff. Alan Cross, Host of the Ongoing History of New Music. Franco Terrazzano, Canadi

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 Gordon Lightfoot, and the idea is picking up steam. Zhao Wei, a Chinese diplomat and suspected intelligence officer, has been sent home following allegations that he was part of an effort by Beijing to target MP Michael Chong’s family. But this did not happened speedily. Why was there a delay of several days after the news broke? Why did nothing happen two years ago when CSIS first learned about this? It is all coming up on the Hamilton Today Podcast! Guests: Richard Borger, Professor, Lead Researcher for Mohawk College’s

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 to offer certain publicly funded surgeries and procedures in an effort to cut long wait lists for care. We are getting word that Canada will expel Zhao Wei, the diplomat from the Government of China whom Canada's spy agency alleged was involved in a plot to intimidate Conservative MP Michael Chong and his relatives in Hong Kong. Conservative MP Michael Chong says he was “shaken” to learn about the alleged Chinese campaign targeting him and his family in Hong Kong, and says not taking decisive action will only embolden Bei

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 2023, how does it affect us politically? You may have noticed that Dave Woodard is absent from the anchor’s chair this afternoon. That’s because he is off on a very tough assignment… covering the opening day of Canada’s Wonderland!! The World Health Organization has declared that the COVID-19 pandemic is no longer a global health emergency. It is all coming up on the Hamilton Today Podcast! Guests: Larry Di Ianni. Former Mayor, Lobbyist, City of Hamilton. Dave Woodard, News Anchor with 900 CHML. Sam Routley, PhD Candidate

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 partnering with a facility in Cambridge, Ont., to complete the final steps of manufacturing for its mRNA vaccines. Leafs play again tonight: what do they need to do to stay in the right head space? Steve Joordens takes us through techniques athletes can use under pressure, which might even be of use to those of us not on the ice. Ed Sheeran has won the ‘Thinking Out Loud’ copyright case, defending accusations of plagiarizing ‘Let’s Get it On.’ The Ontario NDP is distancing itself from a newly elected MPP’s reposted social-

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 troubles? 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? In the National Post, Tasha Kheriddin writes that the story of MP Michael Chong highlights how little Prime Minister Trudeau cares about the dangers of foreign interference from governments like China’s. It is all coming up on the Hamilton Today Podcast! Guests

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.

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 China’s interference in Canada’s democracy was already alarming. Now, it’s doubly so, with fresh revelations that Beijing not only meddled with successive federal elections but also attempted to intimidate a sitting MP. All this and more coming up on the Hamilton Today Podcast! Guests: Elissa Freeman, PR and Pop Culture Expert. Steve Joordens, Professor of Psychology at the University of Toronto. Ralph Cipolla, Councillor for Ward 2, City of Orillia. Barry Choi, Travel and personal finance expert. Alan Cross, Host of the Ong

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 country, according to a top-secret intelligence assessment from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. The Ontario government announced Monday it will introduce a new mandatory education curriculum for elementary and high school students that aims to increase mental health literacy, in the wake of continued challenges that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is all coming up on the Hamilton Today Podcast! Guests: Moshe Lander, Senior Economics Lecturer, Concordia University. Will Erskine, Content Producer for Hamilto

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.

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 is being seen – and utilized – as an opportunity to talk up Canada and capitalize on the warming relations between him and President Joe Biden. We look at AI as entertainment – such the ability for ChatGPT to generate a comedic script or short story after you give it the prompts, and what it means that we can "create our own entertainment" in this way. We say goodbye to one of our own: today is Will Webber’s final day with 900 CHML before he heads off to Toronto. We take this opportunity to tell him what we really think o