The Craig Needles Podcast

Episode 316: What is the City of London doing about homelessness?

Homelessness continues to be the key issue in the City of London - so what's happening on that file right now?

London Mayor Josh Morgan joined Craig on the podcast to talk about hubs in the city, the province's HART hubs plan, addictions treatment, affordable housing and more.

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

Episode 315: Friday Round Table with Frances Moore, Jeff Preston and John Fyfe-Millar

London Police say they'll be arresting - but not charging - people using drugs in public. Is this the right policy for the city?

The Friday Round Table dives into that story with Indigenous activist Frances Moore, disability advocate Dr. Jeff Preston and former city councillor John Fyfe-Millar.

How should London Police approach a situation when somebody is using drugs in Old East Village? Or on Richmond Row?

Then they get into another story involving junior hockey sexual assaults - this time in an unnamed Ontario Hockey League city. 

Also, Doug Ford is offering the people on Ontario $200 each! Are we just heading straight for an election?

And analyzing the ongoing discussions between the federal government and Indigenous leaders on major changes to child welfare

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

Episode 314: Peter Fragiskatos talks Liberal caucus turmoil and more

Is there internal pressure for Justin Trudeau to resign?

CTV says some MPs - mostly based in southwestern Ontario and Atlantic Canada - have signed a letter asking for new Liberal leadership.

Peter Fragiskatos, the MP for London North-Centre joins Craig to discuss that story, as well as housing, bad Liberal polling, foreign affairs and more.

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

Episode 313: Friday Round Table With Mojdeh Cox, Jeremy McCall And Scott Kitching

On this week's Friday Round Table, Craig welcomes organizational consultant and community actvist Mojdeh Cox, former council candidate Jeremy McCall and Blackburn Media News Manager Scott Kitching to the Covent Garden Market studio.

They talk about London Police sharing some stats at council and whether London will get bang for their $672-million buck.

 

Then, they look at delays on London Transit. Lots of construction in town, will it be worth it to get BRT?

 

And, the TVDSB missed the enrollment projections for this year... by a lot. Apparently, it cost millions. Whoops.

 

What does this say about the way the school board is managed?

 

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

 

Episode 312: Will 880,000 people live in London in 2051?

Projections from the province of Ontario show they believe London's population could be 880,000 by 2051 - while the region could be home to 2.63-million people.

Are we ready for it? What do we need to do?

Economist Mike Moffatt - a founding director of the Place Centre and co-host of the Missing Middle podcast - joins Craig to share his thoughts.

They also tackle the federal government's proposed housing reforms and whether extra taxation on empty lots is the way to encourage building.

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

Episode 311: Friday Round Table with Shawn Lewis, Cheryl Miller and Roger Caranci

A busy week in news!

Craig is joined in the studio by London Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis, and two former city councillors - Cheryl Miller and Roger Caranci.

They talk about the latest changes at the executive level at the Thames Valley District School Board, London leading the nation in downtown commercial vacancy rate, the somewhat controversial ArkAid funding proposal at city hall, and whether it's time to pull the plug on virtual London City Council meetings in the wake of a councillor possibly having a beer during a debate.

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

Episode 310: More TVDSB "leaves", viral City of London garbage truck video

The changes at the Thames Valley District School Board continue, as three more high level executives are either on leave or no longer with the board.

Craig shares his thoughts.

Then, did you see that video of a City of London garbage truck backing into a car?

Rebekkah Wilkin, the woman who was driving the car, joins Craig on the podcast to explain what happened.

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

Episode 309: Friday Round Table with Jeff Preston, Lesley Bikos and Jared Zaifman

On this week's Friday Round Table, Craig is joined by disability advocate Dr. Jeff Preston, police researcher Dr. Lesley Bikos and London Home Builders Association CEO Jared Zaifman.

They talk about the latest at London Health Sciences Centre, where the board has been axed an replaced by David Musyj - who is now supervisor.

Then, they look at the latest in the London Police Services Board and navigator story. There's conversations at City Hall about not permitting boards and commissions to allow this kind of spending - is that even possible?

They also breakdown Doug Ford's comments on ODSP/Ontario Works and his magical idea to tunnel under the 401.

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

Episode 308: The London Children's Museum needs $1,000,000

The London Children's Museum - a gem in the city - is in the middle of a big move from their Wharncliffe Road location to a new spot at 100 Kellogg Lane.

One problem: They're just short of their fundraising goals to get the doors open.

They're asking for the community's help to raise $1,000,000 to finalize their move by the end of the year.,

Executive Director Kate Ledgley joins Craig on the podcast to explain the fundraising push, what the new museum location will do for London, how it will educate kids and more.

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

Episode 307: Bonnie Crombie and the Ontario Liberals visit London

The Ontario Liberals are having their AGM in London, so leader Bonnie Crombie stopped by the Covent Garden Market studio to talk about the rebuild of party and some key provincial issues.

Craig asked her about education funding in the wake of the ongoing problems at the Thames Valley District School Board, bike lanes, and whether we may seen an early election on Ontario.

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