The Craig Needles Podcast

Episode 59: Jeff Yurek on local races, Craig’s thoughts on ODSP policy

Former Elgin-Middlesex-London MPP and cabinet minister Jeff Yurek joins the podcast to talk about where he sees some local races going and what it's like watching an election from the outside. Then (15:39), the NDP and Liberals have shared their ODSP and OW plans - Craig says they're not nearly good enough.

Episode 58: Friday Round Table and Mike Schreiner

Former City Councillor Hollywood Cheryl Miller, Blackburn Media News Manger Scott Kitching and CUPE Local 101 President Steve Holland join Craig to discuss their thoughts on the provincial election kick off, and London councillors not voting to reprimand Michael van Holst (14:00). Then, Green Party of Ontario leader Mike Schreiner (29:56) talks about his stop in London and housing in the province.

 

The Craig Needles Podcast is brought to you by Lexus of London.

Episode 57: Robyn Schwarz and Reproductive Rights

After that draft opinion from the Supreme Court un the US was leaked, abortion rights became the biggest political talking point for our southern neighbours. Can that spill over into the Ontario election? Will it? Reproductive justice advocate Robyn Schwarz joins the podcast to share her thoughts.

Episode 56: Mike Moffatt and the Campaign Kickoff

Economist Mike Moffatt from the Smart Prosperity Institute joins the podcast for the first of our daily provincial election episodes to talk about the key campaign issues, and what he hopes to hear from the opposition over the next month. Then, Craig shares his thoughts on London City Council declining to reprimand Councillor Michael van Holst (21:50). The Craig Needles Podcast is brought to you by Lexus of London.

Episode 55: Sheryl Rooth and ”Buck-a-Ride” Transit Promises

London Transit Commission vice-chair Sheryl Rooth joins Craig to discuss the Ontario Liberal election promise that transit fares could be reduced to one dollar a ride in 2023 and 2024 - with the province paying the balance or municipalities. Sheryl explains her concerns with the plan, and gets into the biggest transit issues in the provincial campaign. 

Episode 54: The Friday Round Table and Marcus Ryan

London City Councillor Shawn Lewis, as well as political insiders Shobhita Sharma and Nathan Smith stop by the studio to talk about the happenings at the Thames Valley District School Board and Doug Ford's pre-election budget. Then, Zorra Mayor Marcus Ryan (28:46) explains his side of that tense TVDSB board meeting earlier this week. The Craig Needles Podcast is brought to you by Lexus of London.

Episode 53: Lori-Ann Pizzolato and Tense TVDSB Meeting

Chair of the TVDSB Board of Trustees, Lori-Ann Pizzolatto, joins the podcast to talk about Zorra Mayor Marcus Ryan's now viral argument with members of the board. What happened? And how can the working relationship between the board, administration and rural politicians become less toxic?

Episode 52: Jon Holmes and Organ Donation

It's National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week, and while it serves as a great reminder to make sure your donor card is filled out, Craig is also looking at ways to limit the number of transplants that need to happen. Jon Holmes is a Londoner who was diagnosed with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, a treatable illness, however, many provincial health plans - including OHIP don't cover the needed medication. That meant Jon had to get a lung transplant. He joins Craig on the podcast to share his story.

Episode 51: Return of the Friday Round Table, Steven Guilbeault

Craig's Friday Round Table, once a London talk radio staple, is back in podcast form as Ward 6 Councillor Mariam Hamou, political insider Ryan Gauss and former city councillor Cheryl Miller join Craig to talk about the top issues of the week, including TVDSB masking rules and the housing crisis. Then, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault (39:00) talks about Earth Day and the federal plan to combat the climate crisis.

Episode 50: Peggy Sattler and the Our London Family Act

London West MPP Peggy Sattler joins the podcast to talk about the delay in passing the Our London Family act at Queen's Park and look ahead to June's election. Then, Chef Stephen Clark from Chop Steakhouse (23:53) talks with Craig about changes to their menu. The Craig Needles Podcast is brought to you by Lexus of London.