The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has informed president-elect Joe Biden that the current administration is ready to begin the formal transition of power process, according to media reports. 

In a letter obtained by CNN on Monday, GSA Administrator Emily Murphy said she was “never directly or indirectly pressured by any Executive Branch official — including those who work at the White House or GSA — with regard to the substance or timing of my decision.” 

Guest: Elliot Tepper, Emeritus Professor of Political science, Carleton University

With the increasing numbers we have seen in Ontario and in Hamilton, Rob MacIsaac is warning that the city’s health system is in a very high-stakes situation that could see hospitals being unable to address waitlists and backlogs if something does not change soon. 

Guest: Rob MacIsaac, CEO of Hamilton Health Sciences

After years of tumultuous planning, London’s first permanent supervised consumption facility will soon open. In a joint news conference hosted by the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) on Monday, local officials announced that the Ontario government has approved an application for a consumption and treatment services site to open at 446 York St. 

Guest: Dr. Christopher Mackie, Medical Officer of Health, Middlesex-London Health Unit

Dozens of demonstrators are camping out in front of Hamilton city hall, calling on the city to defund police and reallocate funds toward housing. 

Advocates with a group called the “Defund the Police Hamilton Coalition” set up speakers and tents in the forecourt on Monday afternoon, issuing a list of demands during a series of speeches. 

Guest: Kojo Damptey, Manager of Programs, Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion

Guest: Deputy Chief Frank Bergen, CALLING US 

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COVID-19 in Hamilton 

Guest: Paul Johnson, Director of Emergency Centre, City of Hamilton.

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On Monday the province announced its abiding faith in Dr. David Williams, and their intent to extend his contract into next September. Now that move has been met with skepticism by some. 

Guest: Richard Brennan, retired journalist with the Toronto Star. Covered Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill.

Ontario’s move to limit non-essential retailers in Toronto and Peel Region to just curbside pickup or delivery could kill off thousands of small stores that count on make-or-break Christmas sales to survive, retail-industry associations say.
The Retail Council of Canada (RCC) and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) are pressing Ontario Premier Doug Ford to soften the blow for businesses as a large chunk of the Greater Toronto Area enters a COVID-19 lockdown just as holiday shopping season was supposed to begin. 

Guest: Marvin Ryder. Business Professor, DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University