The Craig Needles Podcast

Episode 299: How Hamilton Road fits into London's road safety debate

Should council have asked for a quicker redesign for Hamilton Road between Adelaide and Highbury?

Ward 1 councillor Hadleigh McAlister thinks so.

He joined Craig at the Covent Garden Market studio to discuss that stretch of road, the council debate surrounding it and a larger view of road safety in London.

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

Episode 298: Friday Round Table with Kelly Elliott, Matt Newton-Reid and Shawna Lewkowitz

On this week's round table, Craig is joined by a panel of former Thames Centre Deputy Mayor Kelly Elliott, lawyer and former school board trustee Matthew Newton-Reid an former federal NDP candidate Shawna Lewkowitz to break down the top stories of the week.

First, they look at the Thames Valley District School Board - which is in the middle of a scandal after Education Director Mark Fisher and 17 other executives took a trip to Toronto and stayed at the former SkyDome hotel for three nights - while the Blue Jays were playing!

What should trustees do next?

Then, they discuss the rising cost of getting high school students to class on LTC busses and whether Canadians actually want a federal election - followed by some surprises in local nomination races.

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

Episode 297: Supervised consumption saves lives

The Ford government says they're closing 10 supervised consumption sites province-wide.

London's isn't closing, but advocates are concerned about the future of the local facility based on the Ford government's actions.

Middlesex-London Health Unit Associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Joanne Kearon joined Craig on the podcast to explain why supervised consumption and harm reduction are in the best interest of public health.

Then, Craig (15:20) shares his thoughts on the Ford government's decision and how the discussion around these sites has been hijacked.

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.