The Craig Needles Podcast

Episode 23: Dr. Prachi Srivastava and Returning to the Classroom

At the end of the first week back in the classroom for Ontario students, Craig is joined by Western University education professor and advisor to the Ontario Science Table, Dr. Prachi Srivastava to talk about the return to in-person learning.

They discuss the impacts of school closures on the community, making up for lost time in the educational system and more.

Episode 22: Matt Farrell, Cheryl Miller and the 2022 Ontario Election

The Ontario provincial election is less than 140 days away. Poll numbers look bad for Premier Doug Ford as the Omicron wave of the pandemic continues. Will we have a new party in government this summer?

Fanshawe College politics professor Matt Farrell gives his analysis, then Craig's friend and former London City Councillor Cheryl Miller (21:25) shares her thoughts on how the province feels about the options they'll have in June.

Episode 21: Craig Smith and Back to School, Dave Warren and Mental Health

Craig Smith, the Thames Valley President of the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario, joins the podcast to talk about back to school on Monday, the government's response to COVID-19 in the classroom and more.

 

Then Dave Warren, who appeared on Craig's radio show several times when his wife Dawn was hospitalized to talk about conditions at the London Health Sciences Centre, discusses about mental health after Dawn's death in late 2021 (28:14).

Episode 20: Dave Gilmore and the London Police Association, Jeff Yurek and leaving politics

Craig opens with his thoughts on the potential return to in person learning at Ontario schools.

Dave Gilmore, the President of the London Police Association, joins the podcast (4:09) after officers voted in favour of a non-confidence motion in Chief Steve Williams last month. 

Then (26:53) Elgin-Middlesex-London MPP Jeff Yurek explains his decision to leave politics in February.

Episode 19: Patrick Brown and Quebec’s Bill 21

London City Council has approved $100,000 in spending to help a trio of groups pay for their legal challenge against Quebec's Bill 21. Patrick Brown, the Mayor of Brampton, was the first to suggest municipalities join the fight with financial assistance.

The former Progressive Conservative leader joins the podcast (16:50) but first, Craig weighs in on the discourse surrounding the closure of Ontario schools amid the rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. 

Episode 18: Kate Graham, Doris Grinspun and Omicron Skyrockets in Ontario

Former Ontario Liberal leadership candidate Kate Graham talks with Craig about being a parent in the pandemic and what she wants to see the Ford government do. Then RNAO CEO Doris Grinspun is back, as the strain on nurses continues to rise.

Episode 17: Ed Holder and London in 2021

2021 was a year of ups and downs in London. Massive Olympic success. Some horrific tragedies. All in the midst of a global pandemic. The Mayor of London, Ed Holder joins the podcast to look back on the year in the Forest City.

Episode 16: Steve Holland and COVID Changes at City Hall

CUPE Local 101 President Steve Holland joins the podcast to talk about new rules at city hall as COVID case counts rise. Craig has some social media advice for the holiday season.

Episode 15: Terence Kernaghan and Omicron Changing Ontario

The MPP for London North Centre joins the podcast to talk Omicron, what the Ford government has and has not done, and how we keep schools open in January.

Episode 14: Doris Grinspun, Bill 124 and #FreeTheRATs

Craig opens the podcast by discussing #FreeTheRATs and Mayor Ed Holder's comments on rapid testing. Then, RNAO CEO Dris Grinspun joins the podcast to talk bout Bill 124 and how nurses are navigating the latest in the pandemic.