The budget debate rages on for City Council as they work to lower the tax hike it'll pose to Hamiltonians.

Guest: Ted McMeekin, Councillor for Ward 15

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The biggest cruise ship in history has her maiden voyage this weekend. A prominent piece of this ship was built right here in Hamilton. What part(s) was built here and what goes into constructing it?

Guest: Tom Beach, President of Handling Specialty

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When you watch a sports game, there's more than just the game that you're seeing. It would appear that up to 20% of your viewing involves watching advertising for gambling.

Guest: Steve McAllister, Editor-in-Chief of Gaming News Canada

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A staff report for the City of Hamilton suggests that a contracted operator should be chosen to run the LRT rather than the City itself. Is that in our best interest? Scott speaks with someone who vehemently disagrees.

Guest: Eric Tuck, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 107

Is Hamilton really in need of $60 million worth of bike lanes and cycling infrastructure?

Guest: Brian Hollingworth, Transportation Planning Director, City of Hamilton

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Which movies have been nominated to win Oscars and why is Barbie among them?

Guest: Bill Brioux, Television Critic and Author

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According to the Federal Court, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms was violated by the Feds when dealing with the trucker convoy using the Emergencies Act.

Guest: Dr. Lori Turnbull, Professor & Chair of Public & International Affairs with Dalhousie University

The Canadian Gov. set to limit the amount of student visas in 2024 to 360,000.

Guest: Moshe Lander, Senior Economics Lecturer with Concordia University.

Hamilton is pitching a $60-million plan to build more bike lanes in Hamilton, faster. Is this a bad idea?

Guest: John Best, the Bay Observer

The Canadian Gov. set to limit the amount of student visas in 2024 to 360,000.

Guest: Moshe Lander, Senior Economics Lecturer with Concordia University.

Cursed Franchises? Seems to be happening to the Buffalo Bills. Old School Hockey Stories and so much more.

Guest: Don Robertson, Head Coach & Owner, Defending Allan Cup Champion Dundas Real McCoys & Broker of Record, ComChoice Realty

Moving through Hamilton is a challenge and it seems that those trips in the community are slowing down. With housing being close to the top of the biggest issues that City Council has to deal with, transportation is right up there with it. How will it be addressed? Scott asks none other than Hamilton's own John-Paul Danko.

Guest: John-Paul Danko, Councillor, Ward 8, City of Hamilton

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How will AI shape the way our music is created? Will the industry prefer holograms and AI over live acts? Scott knows just the person to help navigate both of these questions and the music industry as a whole.

Guest: Eric Alper, Music Publicist & Commentator

Hamilton City Council is continuing budget talks in an effort to lower the tax hike. How have these talks been going?

Guest: John Best, Publisher, The Bay Observer

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As the world leaders plan and prepare how to respond to a worldwide pandemic akin to COVID-19, there is a lot of talk as if another one on that scale is coming rather than might. Are pandemics more common than we realize? How prepared are we to act if/when it the next one comes?

Guest: Dr. Dawn Bowdish, Executive Director of the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health and a Professor in the Department of Medicine with McMaster University

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Financial literacy is something that's sorely lacking in our world and though the government is set to introduce kids to it as a subject in school, that doesn't mean it's something only kids can learn. Luckily enough, a book has been written to help us all on this exact topic and it's author is someone you might know.

Guest: Karen Cummings, Former CHCH Reporter and Author, “The Wealthy Martian: An Out-of-this-World Guide to Financial Literacy for Parents, Teens and Other Earthlings”

How can municipal politicians show their sympathy and possibly even help relieve the burden incoming tax hikes may cause? Perhaps by taking a pay cut? How about by passing on a pay raise?

Guest: Jay Goldberg, Ontario Director, Canadian Taxpayers Federation

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Loblaws is pushing Ontario's government to allow the sale of cannabis in grocery stores. Is this something that's needed? Will it better serve the consumer?

Guest: Mitchell Osak, CEO, Quanta Consulting Inc

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The Maple Leafs are doing what fans have come to expect which is begging the question, is it time to change out their coach? Is it time for Sheldon Keefe to go?

Guest: Mike Stubbs, Host, London Live, 980 CFPL & Play-by-Play Announcer, London Knights

Outstanding people and Fridays pair perfectly and The Brightest Conversation in Hamilton Radio is proof of that! This week, Scott welcomes none other than Hamilton's own Ron Foxcroft to talk about reducing the tax hike that's been proposed with Hamilton's new budget, term limits for politicians, the success (or failure) of electric cars and more.

Guest: Ron Foxcroft, Philanthropist, Founder & CEO, Fox 40 International Inc and Chairman, President & CEO, Fluke Transport & Basketball Referee

Hamilton City Council is looking to hear from you about what should be done about the budget. Sitting at a whopping 14% increase has many people outraged but could Toronto's proposed increase of over 10% make our proposed increase appear better or possibly worse?

Guest: Vito Sgro, Former mayoral candidate & political insider

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Federal polling numbers aren't too favourable for the federal Liberals and Justin Trudeau. As things seem to trend downwards, how does this party turn things around?

Guest: Kate Harrison, Vice Chair, Summa Strategies

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Weather is one of those x-factors in sports that can completely change a game but does that make it more enjoyable for you, the fan? Surely it isn't any fun for the officials!

Guest: Steve Foxcroft, NFL Chain-Gang Member & Vice-President, Fluke Transport

Krispy Kreme is coming to Hamilton! Is this going to work or will the new location only be here for a short while?

Guest: Joanne McNeish, Associate Professor of Marketing with Toronto Metropolitan University

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McMaster University is facing a class action lawsuit over anti-Semitism on campus and alleged inaction towards addressing it.

Guest: Sandra Zisckind, Lawyer representing the group suing McMaster

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Multi-award winning, chart-topping, and multi-Platinum selling guitarist Colin James’ career spans more than 30 years, is rich in highlights, including 20 studio albums, 8 JUNO Awards, 29 Maple Blues Awards and multi-platinum record sales. He’ll be performing on January 25 at Fallsview Casino!

Guest: Colin James, Award-Winning Canadian Musician