Good morning, Hamilton! 👋

Hamilton just celebrated its biggest music week in years; the JUNOs brought the whole country here. But this edition brings a harder story alongside the highlights: a court has fined the city $600,000 for pumping sewage into Hamilton Harbour for 26 years. Meanwhile, a beloved north-end arena is days from closing its doors, Sunday parking enforcement launched this weekend, and the Dundas Easter Egg-stravaganza is one week away. Here’s what you need to know for this week.

--- Michael Horvath

🚽 Hamilton fined $600,000 for 26-year sewage leak into Hamilton Harbour

🏒 Eastwood Arena closing April 15: north-end community fights for its future

🎵 JUNO Week recap: Hamilton’s national moment

🐰 Reminder: Dundas Easter Egg-stravaganza is April 4

⚡ Quick Hits

🧭 Hamilton at a Glance

🏘️ Neighbourhood Watch

A provincial court has fined the City of Hamilton $600,000 after the city pleaded guilty to discharging sewage into Hamilton Harbour for 26 years. The ruling was issued on Friday, March 24, by Justice of the Peace Alexander Andres, who accepted the city’s guilty plea for "discharging sanitary sewage into water."

Crown counsel Amanda Landre read an agreed statement of facts describing the origins of the leak. On November 22, 2022, a City of Hamilton employee reviewing video footage of a sewer maintenance hole taken in 2013 discovered a hole in a combined sewage pipe at Burlington Street East and Wentworth Street North that had been quietly directing sewage into Hamilton Harbour since 1996. The hole was traced back to a construction project that year in which a faulty drawing incorrectly labelled a combined sewer pipe as a storm sewer pipe.

The total volume of sanitary sewage discharged over the 26-year period was estimated at approximately 337 million litres, the equivalent of roughly 135 Olympic-sized swimming pools, originating from approximately 50 nearby residential properties. The city reported the leak to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks immediately upon discovery and completed repairs by November 23, 2022.

A second cross-connected sewer was identified on January 9, 2023, at the intersection of Rutherford Avenue and Myrtle Avenue, also discharging to the harbour via the Wentworth Street North outfall. That sewer was contained immediately using a vacuum truck while repairs were completed.

In addition to the $600,000 fine, a mandatory 25 per cent victim surcharge was applied. The court also ordered the city to pay $80,000 to the Bay Area Restoration Council to support water-quality improvements in Hamilton Harbour and its watershed.

In a statement, the city said it "regrets the impact the leak had on the community" and confirmed that more than 1,700 sewer system inspections have been completed since the incident, with no additional improperly connected sewers found. The city added that it "remains committed to improving our wastewater and stormwater systems."

This is not the first time Hamilton has been penalized for sewage mismanagement. In 2023, the city paid nearly $3 million in fines after pleading guilty to allowing 24 billion litres of sewage and stormwater to flow into Chedoke Creek between 2014 and 2018, the largest fine ever under the Ontario Water Resources Act for a single offence at the time.

CBC Hamilton story   CP24 coverage   CHCH News

All programming at Eastwood Arena (111 Burlington St. E.) will end on April 15, and the future of the 67-year-old facility is uncertain. The closure follows a structural assessment revealing serious issues with the roof, and the community, including Hamilton Lacrosse, Hammer City Roller Derby, and Hamilton Ball Hockey, is pushing back hard.

The arena is not an ice facility; it was converted to a non-ice floor space after ice equipment was decommissioned during the current term of council. That shift actually drove a significant increase in use, making it a key affordable sports hub for north-end families. "The city needs to develop a plan before they close Eastwood. They can’t put all these kids out with nowhere to play," said Chantel Trowbridge, a minor league convenor, in comments to CHCH News.

The arena has been through this before. It was temporarily closed in early 2025 after rotting was observed in the roof deck, reopened in September, and was flagged at that time for a possible re-closure in 2026 pending another assessment. That assessment has now led to the April 15 shutdown.

Ward 2 Councillor Cameron Kroetsch confirmed no final decision has been made on permanent closure or demolition, despite social media speculation. City staff will assess the building after April 15 and report on the scale of investment required. A city evaluation is expected in May. Kroetsch noted Eastwood Park has had a sports rink for more than 100 years, and said planning discussions about the arena’s future will continue regardless of the April outcome.

An online petition to save the rink is gaining momentum. User groups have been offered temporary space at other City facilities through the summer months while the assessment proceeds.

CHCH News   Insauga coverage

JUNO Week wrapped Sunday night with the 55th Annual JUNO Awards broadcast live from TD Coliseum, and by every measure, Hamilton delivered. The four-day celebration drew fans and industry from across the country to venues throughout the city, from the JUNO Kickoff Concert at The Music Hall on Thursday to the sold-out awards broadcast on Sunday.

Host Mae Martin kept the evening moving with warmth and wit. Performances from Arkells, The Beaches, Daniel Caesar, Sarah McLachlan, Alessia Cara, Cameron Whitcomb, and William Prince highlighted the broadcast, with special appearances from Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Joni Mitchell and Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee Nelly Furtado, who received a full tribute performance featuring Alessia Cara, Jully Black, Shawn Desman, and Tanya Tagaq.

The JUNO Songwriter’s Circle at FirstOntario Concert Hall and JUNOFest across downtown venues drew strong crowds on Friday and Saturday. The Junior JUNOs at Hamilton Central Library on Saturday morning were sold out. The JUNO Awards Gala at the Hamilton Convention Centre streamed live on CBC Gem.

The event is estimated to generate approximately $12 million in economic impact for Hamilton, consistent with the JUNOs’ historical average for host cities. This was the seventh time Hamilton has hosted Canada’s biggest night in music, and the first major event at the newly renovated TD Coliseum.

JUNO Awards site   Tourism Hamilton   CBC Hamilton — JUNO guide

With Easter weekend approaching, here is your final reminder: the Downtown Dundas BIA’s annual Easter Egg-stravaganza takes place next Saturday, April 4, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM throughout the historic downtown core. Free parking is available all day.

The free, family-friendly event features the Little Tracks Petting Zoo at Eccles Auto Service (121 King Street West), live music by Mr. Ben from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, the Easter Bunny roaming downtown for photos and sweet treats, and a balloon twister with complimentary hot apple cider.

Over 60 participating downtown merchants are taking part in the "Hop In To Win" promotion, with in-store draws for plush bunny friends and other prizes. The draw takes place on April 4, with winners contacted afterward. A great spring outing for the whole family.

Downtown Dundas BIA

🏦 Sunday parking enforcement launches today — Starting March 29, the City is piloting six-month Sunday parking enforcement citywide, running 5:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. Enforcement is complaint-based, meaning officers respond to reported concerns rather than proactively ticketing. Residents can report a parking concern at 905-546-2489. The planning committee also voted this week to recommend higher parking fines, pending full council approval. City of Hamilton release   CBC Hamilton

🏒 AHL team name and tickets coming soon — The NY Islanders’ AHL affiliate relocation to TD Coliseum is pending formal AHL Board of Governors approval. Once approved, a Hamilton team name, logo, and ticket information will be announced. Bridgeport’s final home game is April 12. NY Islanders release

🎤 Cardi B played TD Coliseum Tuesday — The Grammy Award-winning rapper brought her Little Miss Drama Tour to Hamilton on March 31. After publicly calling out her "Banadians" for slow ticket sales, the show went ahead at TD Coliseum. CBC Hamilton

🏗️ CBC Hamilton expanding with morning audio program — CBC announced this week it is adding a new morning audio program and podcast for Hamilton, launching later in 2026. The expansion is part of a broader plan to hire 33 new local journalists and open 11 new bureaus across Canada. CBC editor’s blog

🏃 Around the Bay Road Race is April 12 — Online registration has now closed. The race runs a new harbourfront route this year, starting at Pier 4, Leander Drive. Distances from 5 km to 30 km are available. Spectators are welcome along the route. CBC Hamilton

🚽 Harbour sewage fine — City fined $600K + 25% surcharge; $80K to Bay Area Restoration Council (March 24) CBC Hamilton

🏒 Eastwood Arena closing April 15 — Roof safety concerns; no permanent closure decision yet; community assessment in May CHCH News

🎵 JUNO Week complete — 55th Annual JUNO Awards broadcast from TD Coliseum; ~$12M economic impact JUNO Awards

🐰 Dundas Easter Egg-stravaganza — April 4, 11 AM–3 PM, Downtown Dundas, free, 60+ merchants Downtown Dundas BIA

🏦 Sunday parking enforcement begins — March 29 launch; complaint-based pilot, 5:45 a.m.–10 p.m. City of Hamilton

🏃 Around the Bay Road Race — April 12; new harbourfront route; spectators welcome CBC Hamilton

🏙️ Downtown / Lower City

The harbour sewage fine is a direct accountability moment for the north end and waterfront communities that have lived with the environmental consequences of decades of sewer mismanagement. The $80,000 order to the Bay Area Restoration Council is a small step toward remediation. Residents can track ongoing harbour restoration work through the Council’s website. 👉 Bay Area Restoration Council

⛰️ The Mountain

The investigation into the March 2 bear spray assault at Nora Frances Henderson Secondary School continues, with two additional suspects still unidentified. Hamilton Police continue to ask anyone with information to come forward. Sunday parking enforcement is now active across Hamilton, including Mountain streets. 👉 Hamilton Police

🌿 Dundas

The Easter Egg-stravaganza is one week away. April 4, Downtown Dundas, 11 AM to 3 PM. Free parking, Easter Bunny, petting zoo, live music, hot apple cider, and 60+ merchants in the "Hop In To Win" draw. Bring the family. 👉 Downtown Dundas BIA

🏡 Ancaster

The Around the Bay Road Race is on April 12. Ancaster runners who registered before the March 22 deadline can pick up bib information through race organizers. The 30-km course starts at Pier 4, Leander Drive, and loops around the bay. 👉 CBC Hamilton

💦 Waterdown

Sunday parking enforcement is now in effect across the city, including in Waterdown. The pilot runs Sundays from 5:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. and is complaint-based for the first six months. Residents can call 905-546-2489 to report concerns. 👉 City of Hamilton

🏖️ Stoney Creek

The Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal’s investigation into the March 9 townhouse fire at 23 Echovalley Drive is ongoing. No cause has been publicly confirmed. Displaced residents remain accommodated. Anyone with information about unusual activity in the area of Mud Street West and Paramount Drive overnight March 8 to 9 is asked to contact Hamilton Police. 👉 CBC Hamilton

The JUNOs were everything this city deserved. Hamilton showed up, the venues delivered, and for four days, the whole country had its eyes on The Hammer. That’s worth celebrating.

The harbour sewage fine is a harder story. $600,000 and a quarter-century of damage to one of Hamilton’s most important waterways. The city has made commitments to do better, and the 1,700-plus inspections since 2022 are a meaningful start. But the accountability moment matters, and it deserves to be named plainly.

On a lighter note: Eastwood Arena’s community has heart. Whatever the city decides about the building, the fight to keep it open is a reminder of what local sports infrastructure actually means to people. Worth following closely in the weeks ahead.

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Thanks for reading!

Michael Horvath