The Craig Needles Podcast

Episode 181: Police Service Board appointment process comes full circle

After months of media controversy, interviews and more - Ryan Gauss has been appointed to the London Police Services Board. How did it all happen? Craig breaks down a surprising council meeting, then Gauss joins him to share his thoughts. The runner-up, Stephen D'Amelio, then shares his thoughts with Craig.

Episode 180: Friday Round Table with Shawn Lewis, Cheryl Miller and Carol Dyck

Craig is joined by London Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis, former city councillor Cheryl Miller and regular Green Party candidate Carol Dyck join Craig on this week's Friday Round Table.

They discuss the LTC's problems with the AODA, moving the transit commission to be under direct city control, the timing of council meetings and when green bins will finally arrive in London.

Episode 179: LTC failing people with disabilities

Is the London Transit Commission violating Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act?

A group of advocates wants an audit and has pointed to some very specific problems in how paratransit and other part of LTC service are operating.

Dr. Jeff Preston joins Craig on the podcast to explain the letter and how the LTC can fix their failures for people with disabilities in the community.

Episode 178: Experiencing homelessness with Y.O.U.

Youth Opportunities Unlimited is one of the leading non-profits in the city.

They work with about 3,600 people between the ages of 16-30 each year. Getting them access to services that provide basic needs and housing, as well as physical, mental or dental health care, or education and employment supports.

They also work with people who are experiencing homelessness, including podcast guest Daniel Crites at one point. Now, Daniel helps run YOU's Clean Slate program.

Daniel and YOU CEO Steve Cordes join Craig in the studio to discuss his journey and how the city, province and country can help people who are struggling on London's streets.

Episode 177: Friday Round Table with Jennifer Dunn, Mojdeh Cox and Dan Wylie

On this week's Friday Round Table, London Abused Women's Centre Executive Director Jennifer Dunn, activist Mojdeh Cox and Classic Rock 98.1 Program Director Dan Wylie come to the studio.

Craig and the panel discuss human trafficking in London, the government's handling of Paul Bernardo being moved to a medium security prison, 1290 CJBK being shut down by Bell and the rising cost for the Volkswagen battery plat in St. Thomas.

Episode 176: Downtown London with Barb Maly

Barb Maly, the executive director of Downtown London, stops by the studio to chat with Craig about all things in the core. In a wide ranging conversation, talk about housing, safety, vacant office space, and the Health and Homelessness plans.

Episode 175: Friday Round Table with Elizabeth Peloza, Ryan Gauss and Nathan Caranci

On this week's Friday Round Table, City of London budget chair Elizabeth Peloza, and political insiders Ryan Gauss and Nathan Caranci join Craig to talk about the issues of the week.

They discuss how this week's air quality problems could impact federal and provincial politics, as well as the price of homes and rent in London and what some new data tells us about the housing market.

Episode 174: Shawn Lewis on Pride Month

London Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis, the first openly gay person elected to London City Council, joins Craig to talk about a disturbing series of stories in the community and about his remarks to kick off Pride month in the city.

Episode 173: Skylar Franke on London combating climate change

A report at London City Hall says emissions in the city are on the way up and we aren't on pace to get to net zero by 2050. How do we fix that? What steps do we take? Councillor Skylar Franke joins the podcast to share her thoughts.

Episode 172: Some say it’s heritage, maybe it’s NIMBYism

When objections to certain planning decisions are made due to heritage concerns - is this just thinly veiled NIMBYism?

Craig and historian Robyn Schwarz break that down on this episode of the podcast.