Dec. 15 Show Segments

8:30 – Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland presented Canada’s fiscal update yesterday, which included an unexpected $38.5B in new revenue due to lower-than-expected use of COVID benefits, but new spending means Canada is headed for a deficit of $144.5B this year, with debt set to hit $1.2 trillion. Economics professor Jason Childs joins Gormley to break down Tuesday’s fiscal update, and what it means for your wallet in the months ahead.
LIVE: Dr. Jason Childs, Associate Professor of economics at the University of Regina

9:00 – The Hour of the Big Stories… Open Session

9:30 – Saskatchewan MPs are looking to repeal part of the Canadian Constitution that prevents the Saskatchewan government from taxing CP rail operations in the province. The dispute led to a major lawsuit which saw the rail giant suing the province for $341 million, but the legislation involved is confusing to say the least. To help explain the case, and why it’s coming into public attention now, John is joined by constitutional law expert and regular show guest Prof. Dwight Newman.
LIVE: Dwight Newman, Law prof, constitutional law expert, Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Rights in Constitutional and International Law at the University of Saskatchewan

10:00 – National Post Politics Editor Mick Higgins penned a lengthy piece this week titled “The Capitalist Manifesto.” In it, Higgins explains that capitalism has created more benefits, progress, and prosperity (and big-screen TVs) throughout history than any other system, despite what critics say. In the piece, Higgins runs through the history of capitalism and its massive benefits felt around the globe, and he joins Gormley to tell us more about the project and why he thinks capitalism is getting a bad rap among younger generations.
LIVE: Mick (Michael) Higgins, National Post politics editor and author of “The Capitalist Manifeto”

11:00 – It’s time for Saskatchewan’s Smartest Radio Listener! Powered by Minhas Distillery, Winery & Brewery. Your chance for fame, acclaim and to prove just how smart you are. Not only do you get bragging rights, you’ll win a $50 gift card from Minhas Distillery, Winery & Brewery, with locations in Regina and Saskatoon PLUS a “Smartest Radio Listener” t-shirt from our friends at Little Town Apparel.

11:15/30 – What are some of the tricks you use to make Christmas easier on yourself and your family? We all know about re-gifting, where people pass along gifts they’ve received to others in order to save time shopping. Producer Taylor knows a woman who buys KFC gravy and passes it off as her own at Christmas dinner, and he personally does all his shopping on Dec. 23 and 24 so he doesn’t battle crowds. Call or text 1-877-332-8255 and let us know the tricks and strategies you use to make the stressful season easier on your mental health, your wallet, and your family.

12:00 – A Prince Albert diamond cutter has created a new setting for solitaire diamonds that’s now hitting markets worldwide. Mike Botha, founder and CEO of Embee Diamond Technologies, spent 12 hours working by hand to create the “micro-grooves” that let the diamond stay in a titanium setting, which has now been trademarked by Botha and his New Zealand partner Ian Douglas as the “Floeting Diamond,” and Botha joins Gormley to tell us more.
LIVE: Mike Botha, master diamond cutter, founder/CEO of Embee Diamond Technologies