The Craig Needles Podcast

Episode 193: Friday Round Table with Kelly Elliott, Shawna Lewkowitz and Jeremy McCall

On this week's Friday Round table, Craig is joined by former Thames Centre Deputy Mayor Kelly Elliott, NDP candidate Shawna Lewkowitz and former city council candidate Jeremy McCall.

They talk about the Auditor General's damning report on the Ford government's Greenbelt fiasco. Will this stick to the Premier long term? Will he be forced to remove Steve Clark from cabinet?

They also look at a motion before city council asking the province and other municipalities about sending people who are homeless to London against their will.

Episode 192: What does damning Greenbelt report mean for Ford?

A new report from Ontario Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk says the Ford government's plans to develop the Greenbelt were hastily done and favoured certain Ford-favoured developments.

The developers involved saw the value of their land shoot up by at least $8-billion, Lysyk said.

Will these insider deals hurt Ford politically? Are they counting on Ontario voters to not care?

Craig talked to Ontario Green Party leader Mike Schreiner about the report and then shares his thoughts on what's next.

Episode 191: Friday Round Table with Jennifer Dunn, Jared Zaifman and Ryan Gauss

London Abused Women's Centre Executive Director Jennifer Dunn, Jared Zaifman from the London Home Builder's Association and political insider Ryan Gauss join Craig in the studio for this week's Friday Round Table.

The panel examines the separation of Justin and Sophie Trudeau and when a politician's personal life become publicly relevant.

They also examine the recent cabinet shuffle and the local impact of news not longer being shared on Facebook or Instagram.

Episode 190: Steve Cordes and Jordan Arsenault on homeless hubs

Steve Cordes, the Executive Director of Youth Opportunities Unlimited, and Jordan Arsenault, who has lived experience and now works with their Clean Slate program, joins Craig to talk about the city's approach to homelessness and their hubs plan on this edition of the podcast.

Episode 189: Friday Round Table with Shawn Lewis, Susan Stevenson and Scott Collyer

On this week's Friday Round Table the panel breaks down the latest in the health and homelessness plan, the return to the office plan for some city workers and some really ugly polls for the federal Liberals.

Craig is joined by Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis, Councillor Susan Stevenson and political insider Scott Collyer for thoughts on those issues and more.

Episode 188: Nate Erskine-Smith on Liberal leadership, poverty and more

Nate Erskine-Smith, one of the candidates for the leadership of the Ontario Liberal leadership, is visiting London.

He sat down in studio with Craig to discuss the city's health and homelessness strategy, environmental issues, the leadership race and more.

Episode 187: Demotion of St. Thomas cop may set new precedent

A St. Thomas police officer lost rank and pay after being convicted of two counts of discreditable conduct under the Police Services Act. But, his ex-wife, the woman he assaulted, didn't have to testify at the hearing, which could have a major impact on similar cases in the future.

Lawyers Ian and Allison Johnstone explain why the case is important on this edition of the podcast.

Episode 186: Homeless hubs plan revealed

The City of London's plan for hubs that will assist people living with homelessness has been revealed. What does the plan look like? Craig talks with London's Deputy City Manager, Social Health and Development Kevin Dickins about the hubs, where they might be and what they'll hopefully accomplish.

Episode 185: Friday Round Table with Ryan Gauss, John Fyfe-Millar and Cheryl Miller

As anticipation continues to build about the next steps of the city's Whole of Community Response to health and homelessness, the Friday Round Table discusses what they're looking for.

Craig is joined in studio by political insider Ryan Gauss and former city councillors John Fyfe-Millar and Cheryl Miller to discuss.

Then, they talk briefly about the future of Thames Pool.

Episode 184: Susan Stevenson on homelessness plan and communication

Londoners are set to get a look at city staff's plan for the Whole of Community Response to health and homelessness next week. But, when dollar figures are being leaked and feedback has become difficult to provide, some councillors are concerned about communication.

Ward 4 Councillor Susan Stevenson joins Craig on the podcast to share her thoughts.