The Craig Needles Podcast

Episode 296: AJ Thinks London Needs a Subway

PhD candidate AJ Wray joins Craig to talk about a wide variety of stories in London this week.

First, they talk about Petronella McNorgan, who woman who was sentenced this week for hitting a troop of Girl Guides with her car back in 2021. Why can't a judge take away her license for life?

They also talk about transit villages in London (10:48), AJ's belief that London needs to invest in a subway system (13:00) and NIMBYs not thinking long-term (17:30) and planning around universities (22:33).

The wrap up by discussing immigration and the temporary foreign workers program (27:51).

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

Episode 295: Friday Round Table with Kelly Ziegner, Nathan Caranci and Roger Caranci

On this week's Friday Round Table, Craig welcomes United Way President and CEO Kelly Ziegner and the father-son duo of Roger and Nathan Caranci to the Covent Garden Market studio.

They discuss the rising cost of living in Canada, an effort to cut taxes at London City Hall, and the temporary foreign workers program coming under scrutiny.

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

Episode 294: Analyzing the report on racism within London Police

A report unearthed by CBC last week told some upsetting stories of racism within London Police. Chief Thai Truong says the service will do better, but, will his words match the results?

Indigenous activist Frances Moore and anti-oppression consultant Mojdeh Cox joined Craig in the studio to dive into the report and share their thoughts.

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

Episode 293: Friday Round Table with Shawn Lewis, Jessie Rodger and Steve Cordes

Craig welcomes London Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis, Anova Executive Director Jessie Rodger and Steve Cordes, the Executive Director at Youth Opportunities Unlimited, to the studio for this week's round table.

They discussed a report bout how Londoners feel about the city's police service, unearthed by CBC. The answer? Not great. But leadership is saying the right things.

Also, London is pacing way ahead of 2023 on housing approvals this year - but is that enough? And Ontario's Big City Mayors missed the mark when advocating to the province and feds on homelessness and poverty.

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

Episode 292: Life changing care at LHSC

Mandy Dostie was abused as a child.

It was thought, at one point, that the effects of the injuries sustained during that abuse would last for the rest of her life.

That's why Dr. Jonathan Lau stepped in.

The London Health Sciences Centre neurosurgeon was able to insert a device into Mandy's brain - alleviating her pain and changing her life forever.

Mandy and Dr. Lau joined Craig on the podcast to share their story.

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

Episode 291: Jonathan Scott on how the US election may impact Canadian politics

Kamala Harris has tapped Minnesota governor Tim Walz as her VP pick. Craig welcomes political insider Jonathan Scott to the podcast to breakdown that selection, and how the US election could impact Canadian politics.

Then they talk about Pierre Poilievre's messaging, and the potential of Doug Ford sending Ontario into an early election before the next federal vote.

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

Episode 290: Friday Round Table with Mariam Hamou, Ryan Gauss and Jared Zaifman

On this week's Friday Round Table from the Covent Garden Market studio, Craig is joined by former London city councillor Mariam Hamou, political insider Ryan Gauss and London Home Builders Association CEO Jared Zaifman.

They talked about Jagmeet Singh's talk about rent controls when visited London and how the city is navigating the housing crisis.

Then, a discussion about a program for low income women being saved by a major donation, the embarrassing mess (for all involved) at the Status of Women committee in Ottawa and the news that local MP Karen Vecchio is leaving politics - along with the announcement of Craig's former colleague Andrew Lawton running to replace her.

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

Episode 289: Darlene Zaifman-Guslits booted from Jewish Community Centre for Poilievre event

Darlene Zaifman-Guslits has been a pillar in London's Jewish community.

Last week, she was kicked out of the Jewish Community Centre in London just before Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre was set to address a crowd there.

The video of the ejection subsequently went viral.

Zaifman-Guslits joined Craig on the podcast to share her side of the story and discuss some tensions within the city's Jewish community.

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

Episode 288: Friday Round Table with Jennifer Dunn, John Fyfe-Millar and Scott Collyer

On this week's Friday Round Table, Craig is joined in the studio by London Abused Women's Centre Executive director Jennifer Dunn, former London city councillor John Fyfe-Millar and political insider Scott Collyer to talk about the week's top issues. 

First, they address the London Police news conference, which put the safe supply conversation back in the spotlight. What can doctors at London Intercommunity Health Centre, among other places, do about diversion? Will safe supply undergo big changes?

Also, council is cutting back community grants cash. A prudent way to sav money? Or nickel and diming community groups despite a large tax hike?

Ad new rules surrounding the heights of buildings could soon be on the way in London. Is bigger actually better?

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

Episode 287: Why does Ontario have a massive family doctor shortage?

According to the Ontario College of Family Physicians, 2.5 million people in the province do not have a family doctor.

How did this happen? Why is there such a large family doctor shortage? And what can we do about it?

Dr. Mario Elia, a family doctor in London, joined Craig in the studio to discuss.

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