The Craig Needles Podcast

Episode 158: Friday Round Table with Shawn Lewis, Mojdeh Cox and AJ Wray

On the Friday Round Table, London Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis, activist Mojdeh Cox and PhD candidate A.J. Wray joined Craig to talk about the issues of the week.

First, they tackle executive salaries at London Health Sciences Centre and Bill 124, and whether the federal budget will help Canadians dealing with the affordability crisis.

Episode 157: LHSC exec raises send awful message to front line staff

London Health Sciences Centre President and CEO Dr. Jackie Schleifer Taylor made more than $750,000 in salary and benefits in 2022 - up more than 40% from 2021.

Craig discusses that with Peter Bergmanis of the London Health Coalition and then reads an e-mail from a London Health Sciences Centre staffer about how people on the front lines feel about the wage hike in a time when their increases are limited to 1%.

Episode 156: Friday Round Table with Elizabeth Peloza, Jeremy McCall and Ryan Gauss

On the Friday Round Table, Craig is joined by London City Councillor Elizabeth Peloza, former council candidate Jeremy McCall and political insider Ryan Gauss to talk about the issues of the week.

They examine the future of the Thames Pool, the costs of homecoming partying in London and the latest in the foreign election interference scandal.

Episode 155: The government of Alberta wants you to move there

A new ad running on Classic Rock 98.1 piqued Craig's interest. The Alberta government trying to sell Ontario professionals on moving to that province - citing affordability issues. Craig asked Smart Prosperity Institute Economist Mike Moffatt for his thoughts on people - especially young professionals - leaving Ontario and what we can do about it.

Episode 154: Friday Round Table with Cheryl Miller, Roger Caranci and Steve Holland

On the Friday Round Table, Craig welcomes CUPE Local 101 President Steve Holland and former city councillors Cheryl Miller and Roger Caranci to the studio.

They discuss violence against police, the proposed closure of Thames Pool and Volkswagen bringing a battery plant to St. Thomas.

Episode 153: Skylar Franke talks Thames Pool closure

A summertime staple for many Londoners - the Thames Pool - could soon be no more. Staff have recommended a closure due to needed repairs caused by flooding near the pool. Ward 12 councillor Skylar Franke joins the podcast to discuss the options and Craig wonders why city staff have little to say on the matter.

Episode 152: Nathaniel Erskine-Smith

The Ontario Liberal Party has been crushed in two straight elections.

How do they rebound? Federal Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith is considering running for the party's leadership. He joins Craig on the podcast to talk about his vision for the future of the party and challenges facing Ontario.

Episode 151: Friday Round Table with Shawn Lewis, Jennifer Dunn and Carol Dyck

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 regular political candidate Carol Dyck to talk about the issues of the week.

They discuss violence in schools, foreign election interference and Tim Horton's flaking on prize winners.

Episode 150: Craig Smith on violence in schools

A new report from People for Education says the school system is in a "downward spiral" after COVID-19 shutdowns over the last three years. Kids with mental health issues that are going untreated, some students that have become violent. Craig Smith, President of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario's Thames Valley local comes on the podcast to discuss.

Episode 149: Friday Round Table with Cheryl Miller, Jessie Rodger and AJ Wray

On the Friday Round Table, Craig welcomes former city councillor Cheryl Miller, ANOVA Executive Director Jessie Rodger and Western PhD candidate AJ Wray joined Craig on this week's edition of the Friday round table.

They talk about whether federal and provincial leaders think we're stupid, the next steps in the city's plan to combat homelessness, policing in London and the idea of high school students taking the LTC to class.

(NOTE: This episode contains language that may not be appropriate for all audiences)