The Craig Needles Podcast

Episode 237: Can development be green?

In the middle of a housing crisis, London needs development.

But can that development be environmentally friendly?

On the heels of a conversation at city hall, councillor Skylar Franke and London Home Builder's Association CEO Jared Zaifman join Craig to breakdown what the city wants to do and how it could work for developers.

Episode 236: Friday Round Table with Shawn Lewis, Roger Caranci and A.J. Wray

On this week's Friday Round Table, Craig is joined in the studio by London Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis, former city councillor Roger Caranci and PhD candidate A.J. Wray.

They breakdown compensation for London City Councillors and what the future should look like, as well as an open meetings violation found by the Ontario Ombudsman and Doug Ford's plan to have people head to Wal-Mart or Staples to get a health card.

Episode 235: Hidden costs of Service Ontario's Staples move

Doug Ford's government has announced a pilot project that will see Service Ontario kiosks be located within Staples and Wal-Mart stores.

Critics have said the plan would end good jobs and send provincial tax dollars to major US corporations. But, some advocates are worried about legal outcomes for low income Ontarians.

Jamie Hildebrand, Executive Director of the Huron Perth Community Legal Clinic, which is funded by legal aid, joins Craig to share his thoughts.

Episode 234: Friday Round Table with Jeff Preston, Carol Dyck and Scott Kitching

On this week's Friday Round Table, Craig is joined in the studio by disability advocate Dr. Jeff Preston, former Green party candidate Carol Dyck and Blackburn Media news manager Scott Kitching.

They discuss raises at city hall during a time of budget pressures, a positive report about homelessness in the London and whether a new series of complaints could move the political needle on the existence of the publicly funded Catholic school boards in Ontario.

 

Episode 233: Battling renovictions

Does London have a renoviction problem?

What rights to landlords have and when do those rights get blurred by taking advantage of loopholes in the system?

Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis joins the podcast to talk about his plan to reduce the number of tenants getting kicked out of their homes while landlords renovate.

Episode 232: Indwell and the homelessness crisis

Indwell is a name we hear a lot in the news, as they're building housing for people with mental health challenges in London and other cities. 

How does the charity work? What are their housing goals? 

Indwell Regional manager Natasha Thuemler and homelessness advocate Dr. Abe Oudshoorn join Craig to discuss Indwell, the state of the housing crisis and more.

Episode 231: Friday Round Table with Kelly Ziegner, Ryan Gauss and John Fyfe-Millar

It's the final podcast of 2023!

Craig is joined in the studio by United Way Elgin-Middlesex CEO Kelly Ziegner, political insider Ryan Gauss and former city councillor John Fyfe-Millar for the Friday Round Table.

The discuss council reprimanding Susan Stevenson following a report from the Integrity Commissioner, the cyberattack on the London Public Library and another organizational nightmare for people on Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program.

Episode 230: Friday Round Table with Shawn Lewis, Jennifer Dunn and Jared Zaifman

On this week's Friday Round Table, Craig is joined by London Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis, London Abused Women's Centre Executive Director Jennifer Dunn and London Home Builder's Association CEO Jared Zaifman.

They talked about the Integrity Commissioner recommending a reprimand for Susan Stevenson, the challenges in the city's upcoming multi-year budget process and the Ford government announcing expanded alcohol sale point options in 2026.

 

Episode 229: Integrity Commissioner recommends reprimand for Susan Stevenson

London's Integrity Commissioner says that councillor Susan Stevenson has broken the city's council code of conduct.

What does that mean at 300 Dufferin? What will the result of the December 19th vote be Craig shares his thoughts on this solo episode of the podcast.

Episode 228: Friday Round Table with Cheryl Miller, Steve Holland and Scott Kitching

On this week's Friday Round Table, Craig is joined in the studio by former city councillor Cheryl Miller, CUPE Local 101 President Steve Holland and Blackburn Media News Manager Scott Kitching.

They tackle the city's key priorities at budget time, the debate over whether planning staff should be working from home and the impact that has on building, plus Pierre Poilievre's housing documentary.