The Craig Needles Podcast

Early surprise changes London council race

When this election campaign started almost three weeks ago, we thought 13 of 15 members of council were going to run for their old jobs - then we got a surprise.

Susan Stevenson running for Mayor means the race in ward four is wide open. Tom Cull, who put in his nomination papers on the first day of the campaign, joined Craig to talk about the new race, what people at the doors are telling him and what he thinks the big issues are in London.

The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by London Hydro – with support from Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market.

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What will a Susan Stevenson for Mayor campaign look like?

It's official - Susan Stevenson is running for mayor.

The often controversial Ward 4 councillor filed her papers this week - can she win?

Craig is joined by former Thames Centre Deputy Mayor Kelly Elliott, political insider Scott Collyer and former council candidate Jeremy McCall to breakdown the race.

The key takeaway from Craig: This could create an unexpected coalition for Josh Morgan.

Also, the panel looks at what Craig called the worst vote of the term: the 10-5 rejection of a proposed development that featured long-term care home and neighbouring transitional housing building. 

The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by London Hydro – with support from Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market.

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Will homelessness crisis be the top election issue?

It's election season, so let's break it down on the Friday Round Table.

London Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis and former city councillor Cheryl Miller joined Craig at the Covent Garden Market studio to look at whether homelessness will be the top issue, their impression of the mayor's race after the first week of the campaign and how many competitive ward races London may have.

Then, they talk about news that London Health Sciences Centre will have to replace more than 1,300 windows at University Hospital - while also in a legal battle over the allegedly shoddy work ordered by former hospital executives.

The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by London Hydro - with support from Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market.

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Advocates push for bail reform

Brett Broadfoot lost his daughter Breanna to intimate partner violence in 2024.

Now, he's an advocate for change - locally and nationally.

He and London Abused Women's Centre Executive Director Jennifer Dunn joined Craig to talk about Bill C-14, the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act.

The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by London Hydro - with support from Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market.

It's local politics Super Bowl!

It's election registration day!

The municipal election is in October, but you can officially become a candidate for mayor, council or school board trustee - yes, even for the currently under supervision Thames Valley District School Board.

Craig was joined in the studio by former Green party candidate Carol Dyck and organizational consultant Mojdeh Azad to talk about the upcoming vote.

First, they analyze the news that Kirsten Krose - a former staffer in Stephen Harper's office - is running against Josh Morgan for the mayor's seat. Will this be a more competitive race than the one Morgan won in 2022?

What will be the key issue in the council races? Will longtime city councillor Roger Caranci be successful in his return to municipal politics? What should Londoners expect out of the trustee races now than the Ford government has changed the rules?

The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by London Hydro – with support from Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market.

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South London's traffic nightmare

As the city rips up another major intersection for the southern leg BRT leg - this time Wellington and Commissioners - business owners and managers have concerns.

Ian Sterling Leishman, President of the Old South Business Association, joined Craig on the podcast to talk about the potential problems, how BRT construction has impacted other city businesses and his proposed solutions.

 

The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by London Hydro - with support from Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market.

 

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Council asks for help managing drug issues

London City Council has asked the province for help - after downtown councillor David Ferreria noted problems popping up due to safe supply pharmacies in the core.

Craig is joined in the studio by a panel of London Abused Women's Centre Executive Director Jennifer Dunn, political insider Ryan Gauss and lawyer Matthew Newton-Reid to break down that story and more.

They also tackle the Doug Ford 'gravy plane' controversy, the provincial government's aggressive changes to freedom of information rules and the supervision at the Thames Valley District School Board.

They wrap up by looking at a conversation in Ottawa about changing laws surrounding intimate partner violence.

The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by London Hydro - with support from Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market.

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Why United Way cut off Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brothers Big Sisters of London and Area has received funding from United Way Elgin Middlesex for 50 years.

But, amid economic pressures, the United Way has had to put a stop to the BBBSLA funding - which means the organization needs to chart a new fundraising path.

Interim executive director Lisa McIntosh joined Craig to explain what that may look like and why the work of BBBSLA is so important.

The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by London Hydro - with support from Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market.

Click here to purchase a ticket for the 2026 Big Bash.

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"They clearly have some cash, because they're buying planes"

Former city councillors Roger Caranci and Cheryl Miller joined Craig at the studio to breakdown the issues of the week.

First, they look at the proposed changes to the trustee role at Ontario school boards. Can we make the changes needed to get the education system on the right track?

Then, the City of London has a multi-million dollar surplus from the property tax base. Should that be spent on homelessness initiatives?

And the story that ties the two together -Premier Doug Ford has gone out and bought a private jet for nearly $29-million. Maybe some of that money could have helped the school system?

The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by London Hydro - with support from Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market.

Ford government changes leave cloud of confusion for TVDSB

Doug Ford's education minister Paul Calandra announced changes for the trustee role this week.

He isn't eliminating the position - but instead limiting their powers and earnings potential.

What will that mean at the Thames Valley District School Board? We still don't know whether trustees will be on the ballot this October!

Trustee Marianne Larsen joined Craig on the podcast to share her thoughts on what's been announced and what could come next.

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Previous conversations with Larsen can be found here and here.