The Craig Needles Podcast

Episode 291: Jonathan Scott on how the US election may impact Canadian politics

Kamala Harris has tapped Minnesota governor Tim Walz as her VP pick. Craig welcomes political insider Jonathan Scott to the podcast to breakdown that selection, and how the US election could impact Canadian politics.

Then they talk about Pierre Poilievre's messaging, and the potential of Doug Ford sending Ontario into an early election before the next federal vote.

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

Episode 290: Friday Round Table with Mariam Hamou, Ryan Gauss and Jared Zaifman

On this week's Friday Round Table from the Covent Garden Market studio, Craig is joined by former London city councillor Mariam Hamou, political insider Ryan Gauss and London Home Builders Association CEO Jared Zaifman.

They talked about Jagmeet Singh's talk about rent controls when visited London and how the city is navigating the housing crisis.

Then, a discussion about a program for low income women being saved by a major donation, the embarrassing mess (for all involved) at the Status of Women committee in Ottawa and the news that local MP Karen Vecchio is leaving politics - along with the announcement of Craig's former colleague Andrew Lawton running to replace her.

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

Episode 289: Darlene Zaifman-Guslits booted from Jewish Community Centre for Poilievre event

Darlene Zaifman-Guslits has been a pillar in London's Jewish community.

Last week, she was kicked out of the Jewish Community Centre in London just before Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre was set to address a crowd there.

The video of the ejection subsequently went viral.

Zaifman-Guslits joined Craig on the podcast to share her side of the story and discuss some tensions within the city's Jewish community.

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

Episode 288: Friday Round Table with Jennifer Dunn, John Fyfe-Millar and Scott Collyer

On this week's Friday Round Table, Craig is joined in the studio by London Abused Women's Centre Executive director Jennifer Dunn, former London city councillor John Fyfe-Millar and political insider Scott Collyer to talk about the week's top issues. 

First, they address the London Police news conference, which put the safe supply conversation back in the spotlight. What can doctors at London Intercommunity Health Centre, among other places, do about diversion? Will safe supply undergo big changes?

Also, council is cutting back community grants cash. A prudent way to sav money? Or nickel and diming community groups despite a large tax hike?

Ad new rules surrounding the heights of buildings could soon be on the way in London. Is bigger actually better?

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

Episode 287: Why does Ontario have a massive family doctor shortage?

According to the Ontario College of Family Physicians, 2.5 million people in the province do not have a family doctor.

How did this happen? Why is there such a large family doctor shortage? And what can we do about it?

Dr. Mario Elia, a family doctor in London, joined Craig in the studio to discuss.

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

Episode 286: Steven Guilbeault talks environment, Liberal polling troubles

Craig welcomed federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault to the studio to talk about Canada's emissions, the best things this government has done for the environment, affordability problems in Canada and about the Liberals lagging significantly behind the Conservatives in the polls.

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

Episode 285: Friday Round Table with Cheryl Miller, Kelly Ziegner and Steve Cordes

Craig welcomes former city councillor Cheryl Miller, Elgin-Middlesex United Way CEO Kelly Ziegner and Youth Opportunities Unlimited CEO Steve Cordes to the Covent Garden Market studio talk about London's top stories of the week.

The tackle the Ontario Civilian Police Commission report on Councillor Susan Stevenson, calling her social media posts "can bring (her) compliance with the code of conduct into question.”

Then, they talk about the City of London's ongoing pursuit of affordable housing and a new report saying 2.5 million people in Ontario don't have a family doctor - what does that say about our healthcare system?

Episode 284: Matthew Wilson and David Musyj talk LHSC's future

It's been a time of transition at the London Health Sciences Centre. Will a change in management help get he hospital's finances in order?

Board Chair Matthew Wilson and acting-CEO David Musyj join Craig at the Covent Garden Market studio to discuss what's next.

How can the budget deficit be fixed? What can the board do differently to avoid problems in the future? How will the next President and CEO be selected?

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

Episode 283: Friday Round Table with Shawn Lewis, Jared Zaifman and Mariam Hamou

On this week's round table, Craig is joined by London Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis, London Home Builders Association CEO Jared Zaifman and former London city councillor Mariam Hamou to discuss the week's top stories.

They look at the LCBO strike and the impact it may have on the Ford government, the battle over money between the province and the Thames Valley District School Board ad the rapidly increasing vacant commercial space in downtown London.

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

Episode 282: Beth Mai on TVDSB the deficit, future of school boards

The Thames Valley District School Board is facing a funding shortfall and problems are showing up in the classroom because of it.

How did we get here?

Beth Mai, the chair of the board, joined Craig in the studio for a wide ranging conversation on education, the provincial government and the future of school boards.

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