Scott Radley Show

On Fridays, Scott welcomes one guest for the whole show and today is no different as Teri Pecoskie, regional news editor for The Hamilton Spectator, joins the show to talk about MPs contributing to foreign interference, whether bylaw should rule in favour of "naturalized lawns" over mowing/manicured lawns, UltraBasic airline fees and if the model can be applied to other things like municipal taxes and more. Guest: Teri Pecoskie, Regional News Editor, The Hamilton Spectator

The Woodlands Park bathroom rebuild is still baffling all who hear about how much it'll cost and how long it's projected to take before it's back up and running. Why is this the case? Guest: John Best, Publisher of The Bay Observer - Members of the Canadian Armed Forces are leaving due to "toxic leadership" according to their top adviser. At what level is this "toxic leadership" occurring and who is it on to fix it? What other reasons are prompting members of our military to leave? Guest: David Pugliese, Journalist with the Ottawa Citizen - The Hamilton Tiger-Cats open their season tomorrow night as they square off against the Calgary Stampeders. What's at stake this year and how will the change in coaching staff promote a different style of play? Guest: Steve Foxcroft, NFL official and basketball referee

Some Hamilton city councillors were set aback at a committee meeting when told the million-dollar reconstruction of the torched Woodlands Park public washroom will take more than a year. Public works staffers admitted the end of 2025 forecast is based on a “worst case” scenario. Still, they confirmed visitors to a new spray pad, opening Labour Day weekend, will likely have to accept using porta-potties in place of a permanent amenity. GUESTS: Cynthia Graham, Director of Environmental Services, Public Works, City of Hamilton Indra Maharjan, Director of Corporate Facilities & Energy Management, Public Works, City of Hamilton

What would a modern home economics course look like to you? That's the question being asked as the now-named 'Family Studies' is set to have a revamp come its way. Guest: Lesia Hucal, Family Studies teacher at St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School and Vice President of the Ontario Family Studies & Home Economics Educators’ Association - How is it even possible for the bathroom at Woodlands Park to cost $1.3 million and a year to renovate? Surely there's a better way! Guest: Indra Maharjan, Director of Corporate Facilities, City of Hamilton Cynthia Graham, Director of Environmental Services, City of Hamilton - Canadian politicians "wittingly" participated in foreign interference? What does this mean, practically speaking? What should be done about it? Guest: Phil Gurski, President of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting, Former CSIS analyst

What's with the rise in gun violence here in Hamilton? What's being done about it? Guest: Superintendent Marty Schulenberg, Hamilton Police Service - There's a massive split in the Canadian population's support for or against universities divesting from Israel and Israeli organizations. Why is this and how does the way we get our information impact our opinions? Guest: Jon Roe, Research Associate with Angus Reid - How might Mackenzie Hughes’ outstanding performance at the Canadian Open impact the way he’s viewed here at home? What kind of impact will referee tendencies have on the upcoming Stanley Cup final? And are you excited for this year's Grey Cup half time show? Surely, you will be after finding out who it is! This and more is on the docket for this week's edition of Sports Talk with Don Robertson. Guest: Don Robertson, Head Coach & Owner, Back-to-Back Defending Allan Cup Champion Dundas Real McCoys & Broker of Record, ComChoice Realty

Donald Trump has been found guilty on all counts in the hush-money trial. What are the wider implications of this and how might it impact the upcoming election? Guest: Elliot Tepper, Emeritus Professor of Political Science with Carleton University

Donald Trump has been found guilty on all counts in the hush-money trial. What are the wider implications of this and how might it impact the upcoming election? Guest: Elliot Tepper, Emeritus Professor of Political Science with Carleton University - In Canada, 16-year-olds are allowed to drive cars but does that mean they should also be allowed to vote in elections? Guest: Geoff Callaghan, Assistant professor of political science at the University of Windsor - The number of Ontario school boards joining a lawsuit against Meta, Snapchat & TikTok is continuing to grow but why school boards? Is this something that falls under their domain? Guest: Carrie Hughes-Grant, Head of School for Holy Name of Mary College School - The Canadian Open is going on right now and CHML is down at the course covering it all. One such reporter is our very own Rick Zamperin. Is there anything he can't/doesn't do? Guest: Rick Zamperin, Host of Good Morning Hamilton & CHML Sports Director

Should Hamilton consider other avenues for making money by way of new taxes? Have Councillors looked at delaying their pet projects before introducing these? Guest: John Best, Publisher of The Bay Observer - According to a poll, it would appear that almost half of Canadians feel that Justin Trudeau is staying in power for purely selfish reasons. Guest: Muhammad Ali, Vice President with Crestview Strategies - Think of a Disney song. Chances are pretty good that song you just thought of was written by the Robert & Richard Sherman, sometimes referred to as the Sherman Brothers. Today, we received the news that Richard died at the age of 95. Guest: Eric Alper, Publicist and music commentator

What does it mean for Ontarians now that the province and the feds have struck a deal worth $357 million? Guest: Dr. Lori Turnbull, Professor & Chair of Public & International Affairs with Dalhousie University - Why does look like a double standard has formed around the treatment of Jews on university campuses when compared with other identifiable groups? Guest: Michael Geist, Professor of Law with the University of Ottawa, Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-commerce Law and a member of the Centre for Law, Technology and Society - Hamilton is back at the top of the list... of worst roads in Ontario. Aberdeen Avenue has taken the top spot thanks to poor maintenance, potholes and traffic congestion but should Hamiltonians be proud or embarrassed by this? Are people trying to circumvent complaining to the government by voting en masse in CAA's Worst Roads Campaign? Guest: Brian Pirvu, Government Relations Consultant for CAA South Central Ontario

Encampments are returning to the forefront of the public consciousness but unfortunately, it's not for good reasons. How is it that the current solutions don't work for those living in the encampments nor the citizens living near the encampments? Guest: Vito Sgro, Former 2018 Mayoral Candidate - Quebec Premier François Legault has suggested the idea of putting an age limit on social media. Is it even feasible to do this? How could it benefit kids? What kind of detriment would it pose? Guest: Dr. Sandra Bosacki, Professor with the Faculty of Education and Director of the Theory of Mind in Education Lab at Brock University - The Toronto Blue Jays are still bad and it would appear that Canada isn't doing much better at the World Juniors. Will we see football players mandated to play with the additional helmet padding they use in practice? How come we haven't seen this required for kids' leagues? Guest: Don Robertson, Head Coach & Owner, Back-to-Back Defending Allan Cup Champion Dundas Real McCoys & Broker of Rec

NFL Chain-Gang Member and Vice President of Fluke Transport Steve Foxcroft joins Scott for the Brightest Conversation in Hamilton Radio this week. Among the topics discussed; Is deportation too harsh a sentence for the truck driver who hit the Humbolt Broncos bus? An embarrassing answer on Wheel of Fortune is destined to be the butt of jokes for years to come. Beer and wine are about to become available in corner stores! How do we feel about that? All this and more on the Brightest Conversation in Hamilton Radio. Guest: Steve Foxcroft, NFL Chain-Gang Member & Vice-President, Fluke Transport

How does a lack of transparency influence the way committees with civilian appointees get viewed/trusted? Whether they use public funds responsibly or not, does the perspective the public have make a difference Guest: John Best, Publisher, The Bay Observer - If the federal Liberals are pulling the abortion card this far out from an election, could it be signaling severe desperation in the party? Guest: Kate Harrison, Vice Chair of Summa Strategies - The Blue Jays are hot trash, why? What needs to be done in order to fix this? Was the return of the home run jacket enough to win you over? Also, the WNBA is bringing a team to Toronto! Guest: Bubba O'Neil, Sports Anchor with CHCH and Analyst with the Ticats Audio Network

We keep hearing that there's a housing crisis going on from every corner of society however the number of homes being built in Hamilton isn't reflecting that at all. In fact, it would appear we've regressed to the numbers seen back in 2018. Why? Guest: Richard Lyall, President of the Residential Construction Council of Ontario - Is there a fair argument that can be made in favour of volunteering for for-profit companies? Guest: Francois Cote-Vaillancourt, Assistant Professor of Business Ethics at Brock University - What does the future hold for FirstOntario Centre? How will the major renovations its undergoing shape what the venue can, and will, offer attendees, performers and athletes? Will it even keep the name 'FirstOntario Centre'? Guest: Tom Pistore, Canadian President of the Oak View Group

A first-timer is joining Scott for The Brightest Conversation in Hamilton Radio this week! Adam Atkinson will be talking about the FirstOntario Centre renovations, the prospect of humanity living on Mars within 30 years, the Toronto Maple Leafs' new head coach, City Council potentially introducing new taxes on Hamiltonians, the 60th anniversary of Tim Hortons' opening and more. Guest: Adam Atkinson, Video Journalist & Weekend News Anchor, CHCH-TV

There's no question that when encampments pop up that garbage and litter follows so the City is looking to help residents and businesses with that. Scott speaks with John-Paul Danko from City Hall to dive further into how. Guest: John-Paul Danko, Councillor, Ward 8, City of Hamilton - Divorce rates are falling in Canada but not because we're getting better at marriage, it's just too expensive to live alone. Guest: Moshe Lander, Senior Economics Lecturer with Concordia University - FirstOntario Centre is undergoing some massive renovations. What does the future hold for the venue and how will it be ushered into its new form? Guest: PJ Mercanti, President of The Carmen's Group and Hamilton Urban Precinct Entertainment Group (HUPEG)

Pierre Poilievre has made numerous trips to Hamilton, more than expected. Could this be indicative of something larger? Guest: Larry Di Ianni, Former Mayor of Hamilton & political pundit - Though our federal government isn't great at many things there are two things it does amazingly, that's collecting taxes and spending that very same money. Today Scott's talking about the latter as more spending has been announced. Guest: Franco Terrazzano, Federal Director, Canadian Taxpayers Federation - Ontario is making a very conscious effort to become a leader in electric vehicle manufacturing with investments to the tune of billions of dollars. Should we be doubling down on this or have we already gone too far? Guest: Dr. Robert Huish, Associate Professor with the Department of International Development Studies at Dalhousie University

Does Hamilton need to continue offering incentives for developers to build in the downtown area? Guest: John Best, Publisher, The Bay Observer - Would taking away the driver's licence of a car thief be enough to deter would-be thieves? If someone is willing to steal a car, would they even care about having a valid licence? Guest: Richard Brennan, Former Journalist with The Toronto Star covering both Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill - Canada Soccer is making it happen! Though they are rather cash-strapped that isn't keeping them from getting the coach they want for the Men's National Team. Also, how important is it that your coach is of the same nationality as the players/team? Guest: Brendan Dunlop, Co-Founder of Canada Soccer Daily, Analyst for TSN Radio and Author of “DeRo: My Life, by Dwayne De Rosario"

Hamilton's unemployment rate seems to be on the rise. Are we looking at this on too small a scale or are things as bad as that sounds? Guest: Marvin Ryder, Professor, DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University - Our amazingly divided world has come together and agreed (mostly) on something! That would be the agreement (again, mostly) that cellphones aren't needed in Ontario classrooms. Are these numbers suspiciously high? How does Ontario's cellphone ban compare to other areas? Guest: Dom Lucyk, Communications Director with SecondStreet.org - When does playing cleverly becoming playing dirty? The NHL playoffs have seem quite a few 'iffy' moves get pulled by the players with mixed results and Scott wants to know where the line is. Also, why does it seem like the Blue Jays' head office has nothing to fear despite their team's dismal performance? Good thing he's got Don Robertson to help tackle these and more questions in this week's edition of Sports Talk with Don Robertson. Guest: Don Robertson, Head Coa

MPP Sandy Shaw joins Scott for this week's edition of The Brightest Conversation in Hamilton Radio to talk about the relationship between social media and politics, naming places/buildings after people, teaching manners to our children, 'reviving' people with AI, the current state of politics and more. Guest: Sandy Shaw, MPP for Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas