The median price for a two-bedroom unit in the city stayed just below $2,000 per month in August. Pictured is Hamilton’s Redhill Tower apartment building. Photo credit: Skyview Living   According to Zumper’s latest Canadian Rent Report, Hamilton remains middle-of-the-pack in terms of rental affordability in Canada.  Released last Thursday, the monthly report ranked the […]

Both the university’s medical school and business school are named after the philanthropist. Photo credit: McMaster University   Michael G. DeGroote immigrated to Canada at the age of 14 and left school at grade nine to help support his family. He went on to become one of the country’s most generous philanthropists, donating millions in […]

A smaller plan was rejected by council at the end of last year. Development firm New Horizon is appealing council’s decision and putting forward an even more ambitious proposal. Photo credit: New Horizon Development Group   New Horizon Development Group’s plan for three large residential towers on Frances Avenue in Stoney Creek is now even […]

Since February the average price of residential property in the RAHB service area has dropped 22.3 per cent. Photo credit: AP/Reed Saxon   In line with most other jurisdictions across the province, home prices in the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) service area continued their steady descent last month, inching closer to parity with levels […]

Few places in southern Ontario have made as big, and as quick of an economic turnaround as downtown Hamilton. Pictured is a conceptual rendering of 75 James Street South, Hamilton, ON. Photo credit: Fengate    Initially it was cheap real estate that lured some art gallery owners to set along James Street North in Hamilton. […]

Many of the quick-fix measures meant to improve safety on the notoriously dangerous thoroughfare have generated a suite of new issues for commuters. Photo credit: Global News   As detailed in an article by The Hamilton Independent last week, the complete redesign of Main Street in Hamilton is already partly underway. Hamilton City Council passed […]

Following provincial guidelines, Hamilton’s public and Catholic school boards will not require students to be masked in the classroom this fall, as Minister of Education Stephen Lecce hopes to offer learners as normal a school experience as possible. Photo credit: CBC/Dan Taekema   Despite some post-secondary institutions across Ontario requiring masks and even mandating a […]

The suite of quick fixes represents a short-term solution to the roadway’s traffic issues. Plans to convert the notoriously dangerous one-way, five-lane thoroughfare to a two-way street are currently underway. Photo credit: CBC News/Dan Taekema   The complete redesign of Main Street in Hamilton is already partly underway. The five-lane artery through downtown Hamilton has […]

Three front-runners lead the 2022 list of mayoral hopefuls. From left to right they are Bob Bratina, Andrea Horwath, and Keanin Loomis. Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons and Facebook/Keanin Loomis   With the closure of nominations, the campaigns to become Hamilton’s next mayor are now in full swing. Although there are nine candidates who have registered, […]

The university made the announcement Wednesday, as post-secondary schools across the country finalize their fall plans. Photo credit: McMaster University/Daily News   McMaster University students and staff need not be triple-vaccinated against COVID-19 nor don masks in most on-campus settings when classes resume for the fall semester next month.  The Hamilton post-secondary school made the […]

Paul Paletta (pictured, centre) bestowed the multi-million-dollar gift to the Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice’s ongoing capital campaign to raise $25 million. An event celebrating the transformational gift was held at Carmen’s C-Hotel on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022. Pictured to the left of Paletta is the hospice’s CEO Danielle Zucchet. Photo credit: CNW Group/Dr. Bob Kemp […]

McMaster University’s Research Data Centre, located at L.R. Wilson Hall (pictured), provides researchers with access to a large number of Statistics Canada’s population, social, and health surveys, as well as the census and administrative databases. Photo credit: McMaster University/Brighter World   The Canadian Research Data Centre Network (CRDCN), headquartered at McMaster, has received $17.4 million from […]

Released on Monday, the city’s most recent annual collision report reveals 19.1 per cent of all fatal and injury collisions in Hamilton between 2017 and 2021 were the result of inattentive driving. Difficult to fully verify, police estimate the actual percentage to be much higher.   As part of the municipality’s ongoing Vision Zero initiative, […]

The Hamilton-based university placed 47 for clinical medicine in the latest major global ranking of academic subjects. Pictured is the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine at McMaster. Photo credit: McMaster University/Daily News   On Monday, ShanghaiRanking Consultancy published its yearly Academic Ranking of World Universities, one of three established lists of the globe’s best […]

The City of Hamilton was set to terminate around five per cent of its current workforce at the end of September because of the now-suspended mandate. Photo credit: City of Hamilton   In yet another reversal, Hamilton City Council voted on Friday, August 12 to “suspend” the City of Hamilton vaccine mandate that would have […]

The east Hamilton site was previously used as a satellite campus for Brock University’s Faculty of Education (pictured). The school sold the property to New Horizon Development in September 2020. Photo credit: Brock University   Located near the Kenilworth Access, the site of Brock University’s former Hamilton satellite campus will soon look completely different. The […]

Mike Collins-Williams of the West End Home Builders’ Association, which represents the residential construction industry in Hamilton and Halton Region, said now that everyone is finally in agreement regarding solutions to the housing crisis, “it’s time for action”.    Earlier this week, the Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA), in conjunction with local partners including Hamilton’s […]

The company is hoping to build a new fulfillment centre at the site. Strategically located near Hamilton International Airport, Hamilton Mountain has seen the opening of a large new Amazon facility and multi-million dollaDHL shipping facility in recent months. Pictured is the IKEA store in Etobicoke. Photo credit: IKEA   Swedish company IKEA, known as […]

 Approximately 264 people, or 5 per cent of the city’s workforce, are set to be terminated on October 1, 2022 for violating the municipality’s vaccination policy. Photo credit: Twitter/City of Hamilton   There were more spectators than normal in the Hamilton City Hall Council Chamber during the Thursday, August 4 General Issues Committee meeting, as […]

Located at 256 Parkdale Avenue, the McQuesten Lofts (pictured) officially opened in December 2020. The joint funding from the provincial and federal governments announced last week will help sustain the building’s 50 units into the foreseeable future. Photo credit: Invizij Architects   Last Friday, August 5, the Canadian and Ontario governments pledged $5.8 million to […]

Recent productions at the university follow a larger trend across Hamilton, with more and more companies coming to the city to film. Pictured is the July filming of The Horror of Dolores Roach. Photo credit: McMaster University/Daily News   McMaster University’s Mills Memorial Library is serving as the backdrop for a film production from Tuesday, […]

The over-$36-million-dollar contract is part of the Government of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy, which was launched under the Harper government in 2010. Heddle Shipyards, the contract winner, has worked on numerous Canadian Coast Guard vessels in the past. Photo credit: Facebook/Heddle Shipyards    Hamilton-based Heddle Shipyards has been awarded a $36.14 million-dollar contract to refurbish […]

Hamilton Golf and Country Club (pictured) came in at number four in the country, while Dundas Valley Golf and Curling Club took the 99 spot. Photo credit: Facebook/Hamilton Golf and Country Club   Earlier this week, sports website and magazine SCOREGolf released its biennial ranking of Canada’s top 100 golf courses.  The now world-famous Cabot […]

The former leader of the Ontario NDP confirmed widespread suspicion that she would try for the city’s head of council Tuesday morning. Photo credit: Twitter/Andrea Horwath   Precisely a quarter century after it began, Andrea Horwath’s political career has come full circle. On Tuesday morning, the former leader of the provincial NDP and head of […]

Outgoing mayor Fred Eisenberger threw his support behind the idea of a local history museum at the former Discovery Centre on Pier 8 (pictured) last week.    Hamilton’s west harbour, which is already slated for a 1,500-unit residential development, may soon also be home to a new Hamilton museum and public library. The Discovery Centre […]

Renovations of the FirstOntario Centre (pictured in concept image) were initially expected to cost around $50 million. Now with the involvement of Oak View Group, total investment in the facility will be an estimated $100 to $200 million. Photo credit: Hamilton Urban Precinct Entertainment Group   It appears that the scheduled revamp of the FirstOntario […]

Officials are asking people to avoid unnecessary site visits and to practice patience when seeking care. Photo credit: Facebook/Hamilton Health Sciences   Service impacts and increasingly high wait times are likely to remain an “ongoing reality” at Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (SJHH) sites for the foreseeable future, as the hospital […]

Hamilton Mountain MPP Monique Taylor (left) was named deputy whip and critic for children, community, and social services. Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas MPP Sandy Shaw (right) was named critic for environment, conservation, and parks. Former Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath (not pictured) was given the lowly role of ethics and accountability critic, perhaps signalling a near-future departure […]

Jennifer Williams and Melissa Furtado will each receive $35,000 plus a $2,000 research allowance for their ground-breaking work into women’s health. Photo credit: Facebook/McMaster Faculty of Science    On Monday, the Council of Ontario Universities announced its annual Women’s Health Scholars Award recipients for 2022, with two graduate researchers from McMaster University making up a […]

For the second consecutive year, the City of Hamilton reached the billion-dollar mark in less than six months.    On Monday, the City of Hamilton revealed the municipality surpassed $1 billion in new building permits back in mid-June – the earliest the milestone has ever been reached.  The June 17 date was almost two weeks […]

Councillor Jason Farr (left), Durand Neighbourhood Association member Janice Brown (centre), and Mayor of Hamilton Fred Eisenberger at a ceremonial ground-breaking event at St. Mark’s Church on June 6, 2022. After sitting vacant for decades, the 155-year-old historic building is being restored and expanded. It’s scheduled to reopen to the public in summer 2024. Photo […]

Officials announced the contract winners and detailed the project on site at the bridge last week. Pictured third from left is Minister of Public Services and Procurement Filomena Tassi, who made the announcement. Photo credit: Twitter/Filomena Tassi   In yet another announcement involving the revival of the Burlington Canal area, Public Service and Procurement Canada […]

Part of the War of 1812, the Battle of Stoney Creek is largely seen by scholars as a turning point in the war between British forces in North America and the invading Americans, with the former pulling off a major strategic victory. A re-enactment of the pivotal battle was held annually since 1981 before the […]

The average home price in the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington market area fell five percentage points last month. Bucking the trend, however, was Burlington, where prices continued their steady upward climb.     Interest rate hikes and fears of an impending recession continue to cool what was a red-hot housing market across much of the country […]

Officials celebrate Lynx Air’s inaugural flight from Hamilton on Wednesday, June 29, 2022. Pictured left to right: Hamilton City Councillor Lloyd Ferguson, Vantage Airport Network Vice President and Head Cathie Puckering, Lynx Chief Commercial Officer Vijay Bathija, John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport Executive Managing Director Cole Horncastle, and Hamilton City Councillor Judi Partridge. Photo […]

Parminder Raina (pictured) was named a Member of the Order for “his leading research in ageing and population health in Canada and for his impact on national policymaking in geriatric care services.” Photo credit: McMaster University/Laura Lawson via CBC   Last week, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, announced 85 […]

Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra (pictured at podium) announced the federal government was turning over management of the Burlington Canal Piers to HOPA earlier this week. Photo credit: Twitter/Transport Canada   As of July 2, 2022, the Burlington Canal Piers will be managed by the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA), a local group that helps manage […]

The renovation is part of a new half-century deal between the City of Hamilton and the Hamilton Urban Precinct Entertainment Group (HUPEG): a consortium made up of Carmen’s Group, Mercanti Family and Associates, LiUNA, Meridian Credit Union, and Paletta Group. The agreement will reportedly save taxpayers an estimated $155 million over 30 years. Photo credit: […]

The gift was announced on June 22, 2022. Pictured from left to right: Sarah Murphy, board chair Hamilton Community Foundation, Paul Paletta, Michael Paletta, and Cheryl Jensen, vice-chair Hamilton Community Foundation. Photo credit: CNW Group/Hamilton Community Foundation   Last week, local philanthropists from the Paletta family announced a $50 million financial commitment to the Hamilton […]

 Eisenberger served as the city’s head of council from 2006 to 2010, and then again from 2014 to 2022. Photo credit: Facebook/Fred Eisenberger   Mayor Fred Eisenberger has settled on a decision that local political pundits and residents have speculated about for some time. Announced Monday, June 20 via a press release and multiple media […]

The city currently has two-way car-sharing services, wherein rented vehicles must be picked up and returned in the same location, but the new pilot project allows users to pick up and drop off at different locations within a designated area. Photo credit: Communauto    As of June 2022, the City of Hamilton is now home […]

The two-day event, headlined and hosted by the Arkells (pictured), takes place this Friday and Saturday, June 24 and 25, 2022. Photo credit: Arkells Music   Well-known Hamilton band the Arkells will be holding a special two-day event complete with a basketball game, bike ride, flea market, and huge outdoor concert this upcoming weekend. “The […]

Photo credit: Twitter/City of Hamilton   On Wednesday, May 25, Hamilton City Council voted to alter the municipal staff vaccination policy. Unvaccinated city staff (of which there are approximately 505 people, or 6 per cent of the city’s workforce) were set to be terminated from their jobs on June 1, 2022. However, in a last-minute […]

The two-day event takes place June 25 and 26 at Hamilton International Airport, where the museum (pictured) is located.     Hamilton’s Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary with the “Skyfest50” airshow on June 25 and 26.  The weekend event will feature the historic Fairey Firefly which has been grounded for […]

Conceptual rendering of proposed Lime Ridge Mall redevelopment. Photo credit: Cadillac Fairview    It seems redeveloping malls to include residential housing options is a popular trend, particularly in Hamilton.  With the owners of Eastgate Mall planning to add thirteen apartment towers to their property, the owners of Lime Ridge Mall, Cadillac Fairview, have proposed the […]

Proposal includes 13 apartment towers (pictured). Photo credit: Harrison Equity Partners   In March 2022, Harrison Equity Partners, the company that owns Eastgate Square, announced that they were planning to redevelop the mall to add residential buildings to the property. While Harrison Equity Partners announced their plan back in March, it did not include details […]

Starting in the fall, certain spine, knee, and eye day surgeries will be performed at West Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Grimsby, freeing up space at Hamilton General Hospital and McMaster Children’s Hospital. Photo credit: Pexels/Anna Shvets   A recent analysis by the Ontario Medical Association revealed that the current healthcare backlog created by the COVID-19 […]

Potholes and severe alligator cracking elevated the thoroughfare from third place last year to the top spot on CAA’s annual list for 2022. Photo credit: Global News   Earlier this week, the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) released its annual list of Ontario’s worst roads.  Topping the 2022 index was Hamilton’s Barton Street East, which runs […]

Staff will no longer have to waste time shuffling paper and searching for records, while patients will no longer have to tell their entire life story at every new interaction. Photo credit: Hamilton Health Sciences   After more than two years of planning, Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) launched its new hospital information system ‘Epic’ on […]

The 1.7 per cent decrease in May was the third month in a row the average sale price for residential property in the RAHB market area went down. Photo credit: Pexels/Curtis Adams   On June 3, the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) released its monthly real estate statistics for May 2022.  For the third month […]

The PC Party managed to pick up a seat in urban Hamilton, as Neil Lumsden made history in Hamilton East-Stoney Creek, becoming the riding’s first Conservative MPP-elect, but the New Democrats managed to hold onto three of the city’s five ridings. Though Andrea Horwath (pictured) handily won her riding of Hamilton Centre, the long-time head […]

MPP-elect Neil Lumsden addresses supporters after being the first PC Party candidate to win the Hamilton riding since its inception. Photo credit: The Hamilton Independent/Kevin Geenen   It’s a riding that has never gone Conservative in its history. But, on Thursday, June 2, 2022, it finally went blue. Hamilton East-Stoney Creek (HESC) has been an […]

 The final Hamilton area debate took place late last week. Only incumbent NDP candidate Monique Taylor (right) and Liberal challenger Chantale Lachance (left) were in attendance. Photo credit: Twitter/Cable 14   The Hamilton Mountain Cable 14 debate took place last Thursday, May 26. A replay of the 60-minute debate can be watched via YouTube. The […]

Candidates from across Hamilton, Niagara, and Halton region were in attendance. Typically seen as an NDP stronghold at the provincial level, polling shows PCs in position to win three of Hamilton’s five ridings. Photo credit: Twitter/Doug Ford   Ontario PC Party leader Doug Ford held a rally in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26 at the […]

On Wednesday, Independent incumbent Paul Miller (right) duked it out with NDP and Liberal challenges Zaigham Butt (left) and Jason Farr (centre). In office for 15 years, Miller was kicked out of the NDP just prior to the provincial election for an alleged “pattern of troubling behaviour”. Miller denies all allegations related to the claim. […]

Launched in late 2021, the ‘Deep Space Healthcare Challenge’ is looking for innovative technological solutions to address the unique issue of remote, autonomous healthcare delivery. Photo credit: Canadian Space Agency   If Elon Musk gets his way, human beings will reach Mars by decade’s end.  The near two-year roundtrip between Earth and the Red Planet […]

Last Friday, NDP incumbent candidate Sandy Shaw (right) faced off against Liberal and Green Party challengers Shubha Sandill (centre) and Syam Chandra (left) in Cable 14’s second of five Hamilton-area 2022 provincial election debates. Notably absent was Ontario PC Party candidate Fred Bennink. Photo credit: Twitter/Cable 14   The Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas Cable 14 debate took […]

 Last Thursday, Ontario PC Party incumbent Donna Skelly (centre) squared off against NDP and Liberal challengers Allison Cillis (left) and Melisse Willems (right) in Cable 14’s first of five Hamilton-area 2022 provincial election debates. Photo credit: Twitter/Cable 14   The Flamborough-Glanbrook Cable 14 debate took place this week, co-costed by the Hamilton Spectator and moderated […]

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons   Background: The RHVP Inquiry often refers to two different tests. One is a pavement test strip that Dufferin Construction conducted to test the aggregate mix used for the paving. The second is a skid friction test conducted by the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) to assess proper tire to pavement friction, […]

Staff to deliver a feasibility report next year.   Hamilton’s Main Street, a five-lane one-way artery through downtown which takes traffic east, may soon undergo a number of design changes after a motion drafted by city councillors Nrinder Nann and Maureen Wilson passed 12-2 last week.  Among the key points in the motion is a […]

Interim CEO of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce Marie Nash kicks off the 2022 ‘Outstanding Business Achievement Awards’ ceremony Wednesday, May 11. Photo credit: Twitter/Hamilton Chamber of Commerce   The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce hosted its 38th annual ‘Outstanding Business Achievement Awards’ at Carmen’s Banquet Centre last Wednesday.  Held in-person for the first time since […]

The veteran provincial politician was kicked out of the party at the end of March. Photo credit: CBC/Evan Mitsui    In the latest development of the Paul Miller saga, the MPP has filed a $1.3 million lawsuit against the Ontario NDP and its leader Andrea Horwath over his ouster from the provincial party. The lawsuit, […]

University Hall, McMaster University. Photo credit: McMaster University   Students, staff, faculty, and members of the public visiting McMaster University will no longer be required to wear a mask in most settings as of June 1, 2022.  The university announced the policy update Monday, citing “expert advice” and “the changing course of the pandemic in […]

Battling seemingly profound bouts of forgetfulness, key witnesses provide testimony short on details.    Background: The RHVP Inquiry often refers to two different tests. One is a pavement test strip that Dufferin Construction conducted to test the aggregate mix used for the paving. The second is a skid friction test conducted by the Ministry of […]

Yet city remains on track to terminate unvaccinated employees at end of month. Photo credit: EXP   Just over two years from when it was originally instituted on Apr. 17, 2020, the City of Hamilton formally ended its COVID-19 emergency declaration earlier this week.  Mayor Fred Eisenberger sent notice of the policy termination to the […]

Though the monthly decrease more than doubled in April, the average price remained above the $1 million mark. Photo credit: Zillow   Last week, the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) released its monthly real estate statistics for April.  For the second month in a row, the average sale price for residential properties in the RAHB […]

Bridge authorities say they have been informed by the federal agency that required use of the app is to be “made permanent.” Federal Liberals set aside $25 million in most recent budget to help the CBSA maintain the pre-entry requirement. Photo credit: The Niagara Independent/Nicholas Tibollo    Speaking in the House of Commons last Thursday, […]

Red Hill Valley Parkway under construction at Queenston Road, May 2005. Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons   The judicial inquiry into the Red Hill Valley Parkway (RHVP) continued this week. Here is what we learned: Day Six – May 2 Andro Delos Reyes On Monday, the judicial inquiry heard from Andro Delos Reyes, the Senior Site […]

Based on current numbers, just over 500 municipal employees, including 40 transit workers, would lose their jobs. Photo credit: Twitter/Hamilton Street Railway   On Wednesday, April 27, Hamilton City Council held a key vote on the city’s vaccination policy. The vote was on whether to continue with the plan to terminate employees who remain unvaccinated […]

The investment will help Hamilton’s Heddle Shipyards secure more National Shipbuilding Strategy-related contracts from the federal government over the coming decades. Photo credit: Heddle Shipyards   On Monday, the Ontario government announced it was investing $8.7 million in Heddle Shipyards to launch the Ontario Shipyard Modernization Project. The funds will be used to purchase state-of-the-art […]

Photo credit: Red Hill Valley Parkway Inquiry   The public hearings of the Judicial Inquiry into the Red Hill Valley Parkway (RHVP) started last week.   The inquiry was requested by the City of Hamilton, and in the first phase of the public hearings, the focus will be on: questions relating to the construction of the […]

Pictured left to right: Andrew Smith, Chair, Take It To The Finish Campaign; Kevin Antonides, Chair, West Lincoln Memorial Hospital Foundation; Tony Joosse, Co-Chair, Save and Rebuild Campaign; Sandra Easton, Mayor, Town of Lincoln; Sam Oosterhoff, MPP Niagara West; Rob MacIsaac, President and CEO, Hamilton Health Sciences; Mary Volk, Board Member, Hamilton Health Sciences; Jeff Jordan, Mayor, Town of […]

Liberty For Youth founder Frederick Dryden started his journey at Mohawk College in Hamilton on Thursday, April 28. He intends to run 21km a day for 10 consecutive days in an effort to raise $300,000 for at-risk youth programming. Photo credit: Liberty For Youth   The pandemic was hard on a lot of people, particularly […]

Commissioner Justice Herman J. Wilton-Siegel. Photo credit: CBC/Dan Taekema   The Judicial Inquiry into the Red Hill Valley Parkway (RHVP) started this week. The inquiry was requested by the City of Hamilton and the first phase of public hearings will focus on questions relating to the construction of RHVP, friction testing conducted by Ontario’s Ministry […]

The addition will take approximately 18 months to build. Photo credit: Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School    Although Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School on the east mountain was only recently opened in 2012, it is already set to receive an expansion due to the school’s ballooning student population. The Government of Ontario announced last week […]

The 855,000 square foot fulfillment centre – dubbed YHM1, given its proximity to the airport in Mount Hope – will create close to 1,500 new jobs. Pictured: Amazon associates discuss the facility’s robotic technology at the grand opening, Tuesday, Apr. 19, 2022. Photo credit: Amazon Canada   Earlier this week, Amazon Canada officially opened its […]

Officials made the announcement Wednesday, Apr. 20, 2022. Pictured left to right: MPP for Flamborough-Glanbrook Donna Skelly, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliott, president and CEO of Hamilton Health Sciences Rob MacIsaac, and Chief of Emergency Medicine Dr. Kuldeep Sidhu. Photo credit: Twitter/Hamilton Health Sciences   As part of its long-term commitment to […]

Since 1959, 402 scientists have received a Canada Gairdner Award and 96 have gone on to receive the Nobel Prize. Dr. Cook (pictured, centre) was given the 2022 Wightman Award “for pioneering research that has developed and defined evidence-based critical care medicine in Canada, informing best practices around the world.” Photo credit: Twitter/St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton    Earlier […]

Ontario government gave all public colleges the ability to develop degree programs last week. Photo credit: Mohawk College   In Kitchener last week, the Ontario government announced that public colleges in the province will be able to immediately begin developing new three-year degree programs, and even four-year degree programs in specific sectors. Degree programs, which […]

Hamilton City Council could help facilitate full transparency during the Red Hill Valley Parkway Inquiry by removing the legal obstacle of solicitor-client privilege. Photo credit: City of Hamilton   The Judicial Inquiry into the Red Hill Valley Parkway (RHVP) is set to begin its public hearings on April 25. A question of privilege will be […]

The city’s law enforcement will partner with several community-based social organizations to help better serve Hamilton’s most vulnerable populations. Photo credit: Facebook/Hamilton Police Service   On Monday, the provincial government announced a “landmark investment” of more than $267 million over three years to help local police services around Ontario better safeguard their respective communities.  Most […]

The Hamilton expressway opened to motorists in 2007 and has been the site of numerous vehicle accidents over the years, with some blaming the roadway’s design and construction. Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons   Upon the discovery of an undisclosed “friction” report, Hamilton City Council authorized a judicial inquiry into the Red Hill Valley Parkway (RHVP). […]

The veteran NDP MPP (pictured left) was removed from the party only weeks before writ drop on March 17. Photo credit: CBC/Samantha Craggs   The Hamilton East-Stoney Creek Ontario NDP have a nomination date: Tuesday, April 19. They also have at least one nomination candidate: Zaigham Butt. This new development is part of a weeks-long […]

Brott, 78, was considered a titan in the world of classical music in Canada and beyond. Photo credit: Facebook/Brott Musical Festival   Internationally recognized conductor, composer, violinist, member of the Order of Canada, and one of the “greatest Hamiltonians of all time” Boris Brott was tragically killed in an alleged hit-and-run in Hamilton earlier this […]

The average sale price for residential proprieties in the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) market area fell by 2.7 per cent month over month in March. Photo credit: CBC   On Tuesday, the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) released its monthly real estate statistics for March.  For the first time since late last year, the […]

Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospital experienced a 33 per cent increase in urgent psychiatric care referrals. Photo credit: St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton   On Monday, provincial officials announced $5 million in funding to redevelop the psychiatric emergency service department at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. According to the government, the funding will […]

Architectural rendering of the OmniaBio facility at Hamilton’s McMaster Innovation Park. Photo credit: Invest Ontario   A new state-of-the-art life sciences facility is going to be built in Hamilton. Announced on Thursday, March 31 by the Ontario government and OmniaBio Inc., the new building will be a cell and gene therapy manufacturing facility, using innovative […]

The West End Home Builders’ Association said it supports Ontario’s More Homes for Everyone Act and hopes all political parties will come together to quickly pass the legislation before June’s election. Photo credit: Pixabay/Paul Brennan   On Wednesday, Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark announced the introduction of Bill 109, More Homes […]

 Nowhere else in Canada have paramedics been convicted in both provincial and federal courts. Photo credit: Twitter/HPS Paramedics   Earlier this week, Hamilton Spectator columnist Susan Clairmont wrote about the alleged mistreatment of a deceased person by the city’s paramedic service back in January. She cited a Hamilton resident, Bill Butterworth, who complained about how […]

Blair McKeil. Photo credit: Breakwater Financial   Described as an “industry icon” in the world of marine transportation, Blair McKeil – who sat at the helm of his family’s Burlington-based business McKeil Marine Limited for the better part of three decades up until 2016 – has been named Hamilton Chamber of Commerce’s 2022 ‘Citizen of […]

The facility will be located on surplus land beside St. Joseph Hospital’s West 5th Campus (pictured bottom right). The property currently hosts seven structures, including Century Manor. Photo credit: Google Maps   The Ontario government announced on Tuesday, March 22 that a new long-term care home will be built on the Hamilton Mountain beside St. […]

A candidate background search found that Hamilton MPP Paul Miller was reportedly a member of a Facebook group called ‘Worldwide Coalition Against Islam’. Miller denies all allegations. Photo credit: Ontario Legislative Assembly   On March 17, Andrea Horwath and the Ontario NDP announced that 15-year veteran MPP for Hamilton East-Stoney Creek Paul Miller was no […]

 In a recent one-on-one exchange with The Hamilton Independent, former Hamilton mayor Larry Di Ianni (pictured) talked about the current state of city council and the issues that will likely drive the next election. According to the former mayor, Hamilton’s current municipal government has “gone way left”. Photo credit: Cable14   The Hamilton Centre Conservative […]

Hamilton’s ‘Around the Bay’ 30km run is the oldest road race in North America. Photo credit: Facebook/Around the Bay   After being cancelled in 2020 and held virtually last year, Hamilton’s iconic ‘Around the Bay’ road race is back in-person this Sunday, March 27.  First held in 1894, the annual 30km run around Hamilton Harbour […]

Miller (centre-right, pictured at a 2017 demonstration) believes Horwath wants a more left-wing candidate. Photo credit: Facebook/Paul Miller   Andrea Horwath and the Ontario NDP announced on Thursday, March 17 that they have kicked 15-year veteran MPP Paul Miller out of the party and will not allow him to run under their banner in the […]

Council is expected to finalize the city’s 2022 budget next week. Photo credit: City of Hamilton   For 2022, Hamilton City Council is poised to increase property taxes by 2.8 per cent, which equates to approximately $39.5 million. This comes after council approved a 2.9 per cent tax increase in 2020 and a subsequent 2.1 […]

The “requirement” for staff and students to keep wearing masks past March 21 is now more akin to a recommendation. Photo credit: Pexels/Rodnae Productions   Hamilton-Wentworth Public School Board (HWDSB) trustees changed their original motion to require masks at public schools beyond the Monday, March 21 date set by the province at yet another special […]

The vote came only a day after the Ontario government announced it was lifting mask mandates across the province. Photo credit: Pexels/Rodnae Productions   The Ontario government recently announced that it will be lifting mask mandates province-wide in most settings, including schools, on Monday, March 21. However, at a special board meeting held last Thursday, […]

Photo credit: Eastgate Square   On Tuesday, March 8, Toronto-based firm Harrison Equity Partners, in collaboration with Retail Ventures CND Inc., announced a plan to turn Hamilton’s Eastgate Square Mall into a mixed-use hub that will include residential development in addition to retail.  The company said that Eastgate will be “reimagined and redesigned”, as well […]

Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) office headquarters.    Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) trustees discussed potential boundary changes for the 2022 municipal election at a recent board meeting on Monday, February 28.  At the meeting, Officer of Trustee Services Heather Miller explained to members that the board must approve trustee boundaries prior to each municipal […]

Hamilton’s Randle Reef. Photo credit: Twitter/Environment Canada   Randle Reef, located in the Hamilton Harbour, is undergoing a large clean-up of century-old industrial pollution.  On March 9, seven public-private entities, including local steel manufacturer Stelco, announced stage two completion of the Contaminated Sediment Remediation Project.  About three hockey rinks full of contaminated sediment was withdrawn […]

In the keynote address at the West End Home Builders’ Association industry luncheon last week, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark (pictured) discussed the province’s housing supply shortage and some of the steps his government is taking to address the issue. Photo credit: WE HBA   Following a brief hiatus, the West End […]

Artist rendering of the new WLMH site in Grimsby. Photo credit: Hamilton Health Sciences/WLMH   On Monday, Hamilton Health Sciences and Infrastructure Ontario announced EllisDon Infrastructure Healthcare (EDIH) as the preferred proponent to design, build, and finance the West Lincoln Memorial Hospital (WLMH) redevelopment project. The EDIH team is made up of the following entities:   […]

‘Women of Distinction’ awardee combats parent-child homelessness with an effective holistic approach. Photo credit: Shifra Homes   March 8 is International Women’s Day, and it’s one of many days to recognize and offer gratitude and encouragement to remarkable women in families, social groups, workplaces, and communities.  Last week, the Hamilton YMCA held its annual Women […]

Photo credit: Twitter/Hamilton Street Railway   The Ontario government recently announced that, starting Monday, Mar. 14, 2022, it will eliminate local transit fare for those connecting with GO Transit service. The new fare structure will apply to a number of transit systems within the Greater Golden Horseshoe, including all Hamilton Street Railway (HSR)-GO Transit connections. […]

Leaking underground pipes siphon away an estimated five to 10 per cent of Hamilton’s drinking water each year. The city’s new proactive detection program, which just completed its first full scale year of operation, aims to minimize the amount of water lost. Photo credit: Twitter/City of Hamilton   After two years of testing as a […]

In January 2022, the average selling point for a home in the RAHB area soared passed the seven-figure mark for the first time in history. Last month, prices continued to climb. Photo credit: Reuters/Larry Downing   On Wednesday, the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) – which also includes Grimsby, parts of West Lincoln, and most […]

Kitchener is currently home to “A Better Tent City”, which features several tiny shelters (pictured) akin to those proposed for Hamilton. Photo credit: CBC/Paula Duhatschek   Tiny shelters for those experiencing homelessness may soon be constructed in Hamilton. A new organization called the Hamilton Alliance of Tiny Shelters (HATS) launched on Monday, Jan. 31, 2022 […]

Though no longer mandated by the province, a number of local institutions decided to keep their workplace vaccination policies in place for the time being. Photo credit: Facebook/Hamilton Police Service   With Ontario ending vaccination requirements for access to restaurants and other venues, the Hamilton Police Service (HPS) announced that it will be welcoming back […]

Recognized for their exceptional service were Daniella Bozur of Hamilton, Lorraine Rollo of Burlington, and the Sexual Assault Support Program at the Victim Services Branch-Hamilton Police Service. Photo credit: Facebook/Hamilton Police Service   On Wednesday, two local advocates and the Hamilton Police Service were named recipients of the 2021-22 Attorney General’s Victim Services Awards of […]

The steel maker went from a net loss of $159 million in 2020, to a net income of over $1.6 billion in 2021. Photo credit: Twitter/Stelco Canada   Earlier this week, Hamilton-based steel producer Stelco posted its year-end financials for 2021.  The company, which employs over 2,200 people across its two facilities in Hamilton and […]

The project will see the important stretch of roadway around Hamilton International Airport expanded from two to four lanes. Photo credit: Government of Ontario/Google Maps   Last Thursday, the Ontario government announced that the next step toward its plan to widen Hamilton’s Highway 6 is underway. The province has procured the engineering firm AECOM to […]

The Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA) plans to start revamping the area below the Burlington Skyway later this year. Photo credit: Facebook/HOPA    Fisherman’s Pier – the area surrounding the Burlington Canal Lift Bridge north of the Skyway – will soon look a little bit different.  On Friday, January 28, it was announced that possession of […]

Hamilton philanthropists Charles and Margaret Juravinski at their Greensville home in 2019. Charles passed away peacefully in his sleep earlier this week. Photo credit: McMaster University   On Tuesday, well-known philanthropist and businessman Charles Juravinski passed away at the age of 92.  Juravinski, who donated tens of millions of dollars over the decades to building […]

Premier Ford at Hamilton’s ArcelorMittal Dofasco steel production plant on Feb. 15, 2022. Photo credit: Twitter/Doug Ford    Premier Doug Ford was in Hamilton on Tuesday to confirm his government’s contribution to funding ArcelorMittal Dofasco’s “green steel” initiative. The Premier appeared with ArcelorMittal Dofasco executives and Hamilton mayor Fred Eisenberger to pledge $100 million in […]

The international crossing that connects Fort Erie to Buffalo is the third busiest commercial bridge in North America. Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons   A bi-national contingent of anti-mandate truck drivers and their supporters are expected to crowd both sides of the Peace Bridge this weekend.  Departing from New York City and Tennessee, the ‘Convoy to […]

Ottawa police seize fuel from Freedom Convoy demonstrators Sunday night. Photo credit: Daily Mail/Pedro Colo   It’s been nearly two weeks since the ‘Freedom Convoy’ rolled into the nation’s capital and took up position around Parliament Hill. And despite an accumulation of bad press from the legacy media, an increasingly discontented local population, threats of […]

 Local operator John Doppenberg and his wife Anita have been in the nation’s capital since the convoy arrived on Saturday. Photo credit: AFP/Lars Lagberg   Nearly a week after helping lead the region’s trucker convoy out of Niagara, local big rig owner and operator John Doppenberg and wife Anita are still in the nation’s capital […]

Six community projects, including one ran by the Port Colborne Historical and Marine Museum (pictured), will receive provincial funding to operate programs for Niagara’s over 65 population. Photo credit: Facebook/Port Colborne Historical and Marine Museum   On Monday, the province announced nearly $72,000 in funding to help Niagara seniors stay both physically and mentally active […]

The Ontario PC Party officially named Neil Lumsden (pictured, 2016) its 2022 candidate for Hamilton East-Stoney Creek on Wednesday. Photo credit: Brock University   Inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2014 after a successful university career with the Ottawa Gee-Gee’s and a decade in the Canadian Football League (CFL), Neil Lumsden has […]

Newly appointed chair of the Niagara Parks Commission April Jeffs. Photo credit: Niagara Parks   Former two-time Niagara regional councillor and mayor of Wainfleet April Jeffs was officially named chair of the Niagara Parks Commission (NPC) last Friday.  First appointed vice-chair of the provincial agency in Jan. 2019, Jeffs takes over as head of the […]

A recent letter sent to President Joe Biden and the DHS from two local congressmen and New York senator Kirsten Gillibrand appears to imply another border closure may be in the works. Photo credit: Agence France-Presse/Lars Harberg    Late last week, high profile Democratic U.S. senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Western New York congressmen Brian Higgins […]

Conservative MP for Niagara West Dean Allison was not pleased by Premier Ford’s recent decision to reinstate a number of COVID-19-related restrictions. However, the seven-time member of parliament said that Prime Minister Trudeau (right) and his government can take away the main issue used to justify reinstating lockdown measures by adequately funding healthcare. Photo credit: […]

Prior to the pandemic, nearly half of all annual passengers at Buffalo Niagara International Airport (pictured) were Canadian. It was recently announced that the airport would receive $7.3 million in federal funding as part of the U.S. bipartisan infrastructure bill passed last month. Photo credit: Facebook/BNIA   On Nov. 15, 2021, President Joe Biden signed […]