The Craig Needles Podcast

Episode 39: Josh Morgan and Affordable Housing

There's a large project being proposed for the area near Masonville Mall. 22 stories. More than 200 units. Should we build it? London Deputy Mayor Josh Morgan weighs in on that and more.

Episode 38: Mike Schreiner and Mental Health

Green Party of Ontario leader and Guelph MPP Mike Schreiner joins the podcast to talk about his party's mental health platform and then look ahead the provincial election in June. 

Episode 37: Matthew Reid and the Middlesex-London Health Unit

Craig shares his thoughts on the changes at MLHU as Chris Mackie leaves and Alex Summers takes over as medical officer of health. Then, Board Chair Matthew Reid (7:59) answers some questions about the process and the work atmosphere at MLHU.

Episode 36: Zoltan Harasty and the Bar Industry

Owning a bar has been difficult during the pandemic. Opening one has been even tougher. Zoltan Harasty owns Lavish, the only LGBTQ+ focus bar in the city. He joins Craig to talk about the pandemic, why his bar asked for an adult entertainment license and more.

Episode 35: Jennifer Dunn and #KnowHumanTrafficking

London Police have launched a new social media campaign aimed at eradicating human trafficking in the community. #KnowHumanTrafficking focuses on telling people the signs of trafficking and what to watch out for. London Abused Women's Centre Executive Director Jennifer Dunn joins the podcast to share her thoughts on the campaign and more.

Episode 34: Jeff Francis and the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame

Jeff Francis, who spent more than a decade pitching in the major leagues, will be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in St. Marys this summer. He joins the podcast to talk with Craig about his career, the 2007 Rockies and why he's decided to live in London.

Episode 33: Chris Campbell and Music in London

Chris Campbell of Music Tourism joins the podcast to talk about coming out of the pandemic in the industry, what makes London a music city and share stories about artists who have come to play here.

Episode 32: Stephen Turner and Safer London Streets

A report at London City Hall says the number of serious crashes in the city has been trending down. How did we get here? What more can we do? We talk to Ward 11 Councillor Stephen Turner about it. Then, Craig weighs in on the Emergency Act debate (16:40) in Ottawa, and points out Conservative and Green MPs who had the right concerns about the act.

Episode 31: Shawn Lewis and Vacant Rental Properties

With London's housing market facing serious shortages, what can city politicians do to help alleviate the issue? Councillor Shawn Lewis joins the podcast to discuss solutions being debated at city hall, and whether Air BnB regulation could be in London's future.

Episode 30: Crispin Colvin and Ontario Farmland

More and more developments on fertile farmland are being proposed in our area, and critics are wondering if we've gone too far. Have we already passed the point of no return when it comes to protecting valuable spaces for growing crops? Crispin Colvin of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture weighs in. Then, we talk about a project in Mt. Elgin with local residents Cath Kindree and Paula Bartlett (17:41), two women who are part of a group opposing the development.