The Craig Needles Podcast

Episode 414: Are we making the homelessness crisis worse?

It's the Friday Round Table!

Craig was joined by a panel of community advocate Jeremy McCall, former NDP candidate Shawna Lewkowitz, and Blackburn Media news manager Scott Kitching.

First, a quick discussion about Donald Trump saying he's cutting off trade talks with Canada because of an ad the Ontario government placed.

Then, a look at the news out of Queen's Park that the Ford government is looking at making major changes to residential rental rules in the province - and the potential pitfalls that come from that. Would it lead to more homelessness in London?

Also, London finally has a HART hub! Will that help our homelessness issues? What about those 'micro shelter' spaces south of the 401? The panel discusses.

They wrap up with a look ahead to next year's municipal election. Will Josh Morgan have any serious challengers?

The Craig Needles Podcast is brought to you by Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market.

Episode 413: A TVDSB arrest and a TVDSB exit

It's been another banner week at the Thames Valley District School Board.

One former executive (Linda Nicholls) was arrested by London Police for alleged mail theft. Meantime, former general counsel Ali Chahbar has officially left the board after going on leave back in March.

What does this tell us about what was going on at the board? How should education governance look in Ontario?

Leroy Osbourne and Marianne Larsen - who were elected as TVDSB trustees in 2022 - joined Craig on the podcast to talk about it.

The Craig Needles Podcast is brought to you by Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market.

Episode 413: Go check out the Forest City Film Festival!

The Forest City Film Festival starts on October 24th!

Screenings, workshops and more all coming to the city's core - and there's still a chance to get tickets to check it all out.

The festival's executive director - Dorothy Downs - joined Craig on the podcast for a preview and to highlight some key events!

The Craig Needles Podcast is brought to you by Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market.

Episode 412: Why sign London's top cop to a big contract extension?

London Police Chief Thai Truong - just two and a half years in to his original five year deal - has signed a contract extension with the service that goes until the end of 2031.

That's a lot of term.

So, why did the London Police Services Board give it? Why did the chief want to sign it?

Truong and board chair Ryan Gauss joined Craig on the podcast to breakdown those questions and take a look at the state of policing in London.

Open air drug enforcement, violent crime, gang enforcement. What's working? What's not? 

Those questions and more on the Craig Needles Podcast, brought to you by Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market.

 

Episode 411: Environment vs. housing - how does London grow?

London is growing - but may not as fast as we thought?

New population projections show we may not have as many people living in the Forest City as we thought in the years to come, so does that mean we change were we can build housing? 

The Urban Growth Boundary has been debated at city hall this week, and Craig decided to get both sides of the discussion on the podcast.

London Home Builders Association CEO Jared Zaifman and environmental advocate Dr. Brendon Samuels to discuss.

The Craig Needles Podcast is brought to you by Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market.

Episode 410: Det. Gary Bezaire on what's changed at London Police

Detective Gary Bezaire has been with London Police for over 20 years, so he's seen a lot. How has the service evolved?

Bezaire, who is in charge of the London Police Human Trafficking Unit, joined Craig on the podcast to talk about how that evolution has impacted the fight against human trafficking in the community.

They also discuss the impact the budget increase has had on frontline officers, and work London Police officers are doing in the community.

The Craig Needles Podcast is brought to you by Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market.

Episode 409: Debunking "zombie" clickbait in London's core

Multiple YouTubers have created videos calling London, among other things, a zombie city or the most drug addicted place in Canada.

Of course, those sorts of claims are unfounded and quite frankly, dangerous.

London Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis joined Craig in the studio to discuss the videos and what the city may do in response.

Then, they look at the expansion of London's Urban Growth Boundary and the push to get more housing in the city.

The Craig Needles Podcast is brought to you by Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market.

Episode 408: Reform after the Hockey Canada verdict

There's still anger and unrest in London and all over the country after the verdict in the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial.

Even beyond just the verdict - which most legal experts understood - the way the trial went and the lack of systemic control for organizations like Hockey Canada and the NHL remain question.

ANOVA and London abused Women's Centre have joined together to write a letter aimed at addressing both.

The executive directors of both organizations - Jessie Rodger and Jennifer Dunn - joined Craig on the podcast to explain the change they're looking to make.

The Craig Needles Podcast is brought to you by Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market.

Episode 407: Bank of Canada Deputy Governor Rhys Mendes

Rhys Mendes, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Canada, was in London this week and made some time to come chat with Craig on the podcast.

They discussed ongoing concerns about tariffs and how they may impact the local economy, whether Canada has avoided a recession and whether we could see further interest rate cuts in 2026.

The Craig Needles Podcast is brought to you by Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market.

Episode 406: Friday Round Table with Frances Moore, Jeff Preston and Matthew Newton-Reid

The City of London had an update on the Whole of Community response this week and it actually is helping! Good news! But, there's a lot more people who need help, so how can we increase capacity?

Craig breaks down that story with advocate Frances Moore, Dr. Jeff Preston and former TVDSB trustee Matthew Newton-Reid - while also looking at the progress made in the 10 years since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report.

Then, the panel looks at removing speed cameras from Ontario cities and whether municipalities should fight the province on this one. Also, a conversation about the federal Liberals ending door-to-door delivery at Canada Post. Bad decision,  or long overdue?

The Craig Needles Podcast is brought to you by Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market.