The Craig Needles Podcast

Episode 301: TVDSB Turmoil

Mark Fisher (apparently) out. Bill Tucker in.

Big changes at the Thames Valley District School Board in the wake of the Blue Jays trip spending scandal.

What's next for the board? What's happening in the classroom?

EFTO Thames Valley President Craig Smith joins Craig on the podcast to discuss.

The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market.

 

Episode 300: Friday Round Table with Cheryl Miller, Shawn Lewis and Carol Dyck

300 episodes!

Hard to believe, but here we are. Episode 300, nearly three years after the podcast launched.

Who else but former city councillor Cheryl Miller could Craig have on for this milestone? They're joined by London Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis and Green Party candidate Carol Dyck to talk about the week's top stories.

They discuss Jagmeet Singh pulling out of the supply agreement with the Justin Trudeau Liberals, whether that means an election is around the corner and how the local races may shape up.

Then, the conversation shifts to some building issues at city hall. First, how tall should London buildings be? Then, the criticism over the renovictions by-law - coming from both sides of the issue.

They wrap up with the changes at London Health Sciences Centre, which include 59 managers losing their jobs and 71 more being restructured into new roles. Then, they look at the latest with the Thames Valley District School Board.

The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market.

Episode 299: How Hamilton Road fits into London's road safety debate

Should council have asked for a quicker redesign for Hamilton Road between Adelaide and Highbury?

Ward 1 councillor Hadleigh McAlister thinks so.

He joined Craig at the Covent Garden Market studio to discuss that stretch of road, the council debate surrounding it and a larger view of road safety in London.

The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by the Covent Garden Market and Downtown London.

Episode 298: Friday Round Table with Kelly Elliott, Matt Newton-Reid and Shawna Lewkowitz

On this week's round table, Craig is joined by a panel of former Thames Centre Deputy Mayor Kelly Elliott, lawyer and former school board trustee Matthew Newton-Reid an former federal NDP candidate Shawna Lewkowitz to break down the top stories of the week.

First, they look at the Thames Valley District School Board - which is in the middle of a scandal after Education Director Mark Fisher and 17 other executives took a trip to Toronto and stayed at the former SkyDome hotel for three nights - while the Blue Jays were playing!

What should trustees do next?

Then, they discuss the rising cost of getting high school students to class on LTC busses and whether Canadians actually want a federal election - followed by some surprises in local nomination races.

The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market.

Episode 297: Supervised consumption saves lives

The Ford government says they're closing 10 supervised consumption sites province-wide.

London's isn't closing, but advocates are concerned about the future of the local facility based on the Ford government's actions.

Middlesex-London Health Unit Associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Joanne Kearon joined Craig on the podcast to explain why supervised consumption and harm reduction are in the best interest of public health.

Then, Craig (15:20) shares his thoughts on the Ford government's decision and how the discussion around these sites has been hijacked.

Episode 296: AJ Thinks London Needs a Subway

PhD candidate AJ Wray joins Craig to talk about a wide variety of stories in London this week.

First, they talk about Petronella McNorgan, who woman who was sentenced this week for hitting a troop of Girl Guides with her car back in 2021. Why can't a judge take away her license for life?

They also talk about transit villages in London (10:48), AJ's belief that London needs to invest in a subway system (13:00) and NIMBYs not thinking long-term (17:30) and planning around universities (22:33).

The wrap up by discussing immigration and the temporary foreign workers program (27:51).

The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market.

Episode 295: Friday Round Table with Kelly Ziegner, Nathan Caranci and Roger Caranci

On this week's Friday Round Table, Craig welcomes United Way President and CEO Kelly Ziegner and the father-son duo of Roger and Nathan Caranci to the Covent Garden Market studio.

They discuss the rising cost of living in Canada, an effort to cut taxes at London City Hall, and the temporary foreign workers program coming under scrutiny.

The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market. 

Episode 294: Analyzing the report on racism within London Police

A report unearthed by CBC last week told some upsetting stories of racism within London Police. Chief Thai Truong says the service will do better, but, will his words match the results?

Indigenous activist Frances Moore and anti-oppression consultant Mojdeh Cox joined Craig in the studio to dive into the report and share their thoughts.

The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market.

Episode 293: Friday Round Table with Shawn Lewis, Jessie Rodger and Steve Cordes

Craig welcomes London Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis, Anova Executive Director Jessie Rodger and Steve Cordes, the Executive Director at Youth Opportunities Unlimited, to the studio for this week's round table.

They discussed a report bout how Londoners feel about the city's police service, unearthed by CBC. The answer? Not great. But leadership is saying the right things.

Also, London is pacing way ahead of 2023 on housing approvals this year - but is that enough? And Ontario's Big City Mayors missed the mark when advocating to the province and feds on homelessness and poverty.

The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market.

Episode 292: Life changing care at LHSC

Mandy Dostie was abused as a child.

It was thought, at one point, that the effects of the injuries sustained during that abuse would last for the rest of her life.

That's why Dr. Jonathan Lau stepped in.

The London Health Sciences Centre neurosurgeon was able to insert a device into Mandy's brain - alleviating her pain and changing her life forever.

Mandy and Dr. Lau joined Craig on the podcast to share their story.

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