The Craig Needles Podcast

Episode 325: Will the Ford government step up with homelessness solutions?

Dozens of councillors in municipalities all over Ontario have signed a letter asking Premier Doug Ford not to use the notwithstanding clause to remove people from homeless encampments.

One of those councillors is Skylar Franke, who joined Craig on the podcast to explain why she signed the letter and what she hopes the provincial government will do next.

Also, the new Youth Opportunities Unlimited hub has opened at LHSC's Victoria Campus. Mayor Josh Morgan spoke to Craig at the news conference and shared his thoughts on what the Health and Homelessness Fund for Change has and will accomplish.

The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market.

Episode 324: Federal government helps London with homelessness, transit costs

After many pleas from London politicians, the federal government has stepped up to assist with some big expenditures in London - including $11.3-million to keep Londoners in their homes, $5-million to help limit encampments, and $5.1-million for transit projects.

How did this all come together? What can be done with the money? London North-Centre MP Peter Fragiskatos joins Craig on a rare Saturday edition of the podcast to explain.

The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by Downtown London and Covent Garden Market.

Episode 323: Friday Round Table With Hadleigh McAlister, Kelly Elliott And Scott Kitching

Lots for the panel to chat about on this week's Friday Round Table.

London City Councillor Hadleigh McAlister, former Thames Centre Deputy Mayor Kelly Elliott and Blackburn Media News Manager Scott Kitching.

They breakdown the speculation about a provincial election. Are we going to the polls in February or March?

Also, the local non-profit sector has an issue with London City Council. Pillar Non-Profit has launched an advocacy campaign, aimed at getting councillors to change their minds. Will it work?

Then, they look at some of the other small (in financial terms) decisions that council will grapple with as they finalize this year's budget next week.

The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market.

Episode 322: The Truth About Ark Aid

There's been a lot of conversation - some true, some false - surrounding Ark Aid Street Mission in Old East Village.

Why did they make a $4-million funding request to council? What actually happens at Ark Aid? What services do they provide? What about the people who live and work in EV having trouble with Ark Aid clients? Should Ark Aid leave their Dundas location?

Executive Director Sarah Campbell joins Craig on the podcast to answer those questions and more.

The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market.

Episode 321: Friday Round Table with Steve Lehman, Matthew Newton-Reid and Jeremy McCall

On this week's Friday Round Table, Craig is joined by city councillor Steve Lehman, former TVDSB trustee Matthew Newton-Reid, and community builder Jeremy McCall.

They look at the ongoing battle at city hall over funding ArkAid, new rules for encampments, a plan to build a sports park near the 401/402, another expensive trip for school board executives and what another Trump administration might mean for London.

The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by Downtown London and Covent Garden Market.

Episode 320: The Future of the Covent Garden Market

After celebrating their 25th anniversary in their King Street building, the what's the future look like for the Covent Garden Market?

Does the changing downtown landscape (fewer office workers, more people living nearby) mean the market needs to change hours? Or vendors?

General manager and CEO Amy Shackleton joined Craig on the podcast to share her thoughts.

The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by Downtown London.

Episode 319: Friday Round Table with Elizabeth Peloza, Cheryl Miller and Scott Collyer

A busy week to breakdown on the Friday Round Table as Craig is joined by a panel of City of London Budget Chair Elizabeth Peloza, former city councillor Cheryl Miller and political insider Scott Collyer.

They examine the news that police are investigating "past financial practices" at London Health Sciences Centre, and the community reaction.

Then, conversations about what council can (or can't) do about boards and commissions spending money on outside PR help, and the update to London's four year budget - which includes a bit of a decline in what you'll be paying next year.

The Craig Needles Podcast is brought to you by the Covent Garden Market and Downtown London.

Episode 318: London Police investigate at LHSC, more tragedy at EMDC

Two big stories on this episode, as Craig breaks down what we know about the ongoing London Police investigation into "past financial practices" at London Health Sciences Centre.

What does this mean for the scandal plagued hospital?

Then, (8:36) Craig interviews lawyer Kevin Egan about Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre following another death at the London jail.

Why is the facility so unsafe? What should the government be doing about it?

The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market.

Episode 317: Friday Round Table with Ryan Gauss, Carol Dyck and Kelly Ziegner

On this week's Friday Round Table, Craig is joined by political insider Ryan Gauss, former Green party candidate Carol Dyck and Elgin-Middlesex United Way CEO Kelly Ziegner.

They chat about the turns in Ottawa as Justin Trudeau pledges to slash immigration levels and fends off challenges to his leadership from within his caucus.

Then, a focus on the London Health Sciences Centre's new direction and the "Community Advisory Committee" being appointed to oversee what's happening at the hospital.

Also, does London need tiny homes or 'quick communities'? The panel looks at the latest on the homelessness file.

The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market.

Episode 316: What is the City of London doing about homelessness?

Homelessness continues to be the key issue in the City of London - so what's happening on that file right now?

London Mayor Josh Morgan joined Craig on the podcast to talk about hubs in the city, the province's HART hubs plan, addictions treatment, affordable housing and more.

The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market.