The Craig Needles Podcast

Have you been caught up in major traffic backups this month? You aren't alone.

Commissioners at Wellington has huge delays.

Highbury is down to one lane each way for a large stretch.

There's been major construction delays at Springbank and Wonderland.

Plus lots of roadwork is happening downtown.

So why is all of this happening at once? And when can we expect some relief?

Jennie Dann is the director, Construction and Infrastru...

London city councillors have a new downtown plan!

It isn't the first time we've made a plan - but can this one work? Will it even be implemented?

Craig was joined in the studio by London Property Management Association Executive Director Nathan Caranci and former Green Party candidate Dr. Carol Dyck to break down the plan and how the state of the core has a huge impact on other city issues.

Then, they look at the future at London H...

It's been a difficult half decade for London Health Sciences Centre.

Travel scandals, lawsuits, police investigations and more. But, the organization is ready to turn the page.

They're starting recruitment for a new board after the previous one was removed by the Ministry of Health, and they've released a new public report looking into the events that led to the hospital going under supervision.

LHSC supervisor David Musyj joined C...

There's some new rules surrounding the controversial safe supply program - but will those changes actually make a difference in London?

Craig was joined by political insider Ryan Gauss and organizational consultant Mojdeh Azad on the Friday Round Table to discuss.

Can the changes prevent diversion? Do we need to wind the program down entirely? 

Then, some new polling shows Doug Ford's approval rating is sitting at 21%. Trouble...

This week in Ottawa, Safe Social Media Act (also known at Bill C-34) was introduced.

The government says their goal is to create "a safer online space for all Canadians, especially children". Will they accomplish their goal? What about privacy concerns? And why is unfettered access to social media causing so many problems for kids?

Dr. Emma Duerden, an associate professor of education at Western University and a Canada Research Cha...

In the wake of the announced House of Hope closure, fingers are being pointed.

Should we blame the provincial government? London city council? Everyone?

Craig was joined at the Covent Garden Market studio by former city councillor Cheryl Miller and advocate Dr. Jeff Preston to look at those questions.

Then, a conversation about Canadian downtowns - including London's. Big City Mayors are asking for big investments from the feder...

London has often been criticized by commentators (Craig included) for being anti-fun.

But is the city shedding that label?

The Forest City London Music Awards are coming up - which means a city wide celebration that runs for more than a week!

John Pacheco and Howie Kittleson - the co-producers of the June 14th awards show - joined Craig in the studio to talk about London's music traditions and more.

The Craig Needles Podcast is pow...

It's been a messy few years at the Thames Valley District School Board.

Scandal. Baseball trips. Criminal charges for an executive. Firings. A board of trustees sidelined.

Now, the organization has what they hope is a new long term leader.

Kevin Auckland, the board's incoming CEO, joined Craig on the podcast to explain how he plans to win back the trust of TVDSB parents, staff and students - while navigating difficult financial wat...

A supporting housing facility in downtown London is closing after the Ford government decided to pull the plug on their half of the House of Hope funding.

45 people who live there could soon be homeless.

Can this housing be saved?

Chris Moss, executive director of London Cares, joined Craig on the podcast to explain how this all happened and what the next steps might be.

The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by London Hydro - with s...

A busy week in London!

Craig was joined by advocate Frances Moore and former Y.O.U. Executive Director Steve Cordes to breakdown whether more Londoners will vote in this fall's election than did in the one we had four years ago.

Also, a report heading to a city committee this week outlines the potential future of London Transit - should the commission still be made up of councillors or should they bring back citizen appointees?

Cou...

When this election campaign started almost three weeks ago, we thought 13 of 15 members of council were going to run for their old jobs - then we got a surprise.

Susan Stevenson running for Mayor means the race in ward four is wide open. Tom Cull, who put in his nomination papers on the first day of the campaign, joined Craig to talk about the new race, what people at the doors are telling him and what he thinks the big issues are...

It's official - Susan Stevenson is running for mayor.

The often controversial Ward 4 councillor filed her papers this week - can she win?

Craig is joined by former Thames Centre Deputy Mayor Kelly Elliott, political insider Scott Collyer and former council candidate Jeremy McCall to breakdown the race.

The key takeaway from Craig: This could create an unexpected coalition for Josh Morgan.

Also, the panel looks at what Craig called ...

It's election season, so let's break it down on the Friday Round Table.

London Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis and former city councillor Cheryl Miller joined Craig at the Covent Garden Market studio to look at whether homelessness will be the top issue, their impression of the mayor's race after the first week of the campaign and how many competitive ward races London may have.

Then, they talk about news that London Health Sciences Centr...

It's election registration day!

The municipal election is in October, but you can officially become a candidate for mayor, council or school board trustee - yes, even for the currently under supervision Thames Valley District School Board.

Craig was joined in the studio by former Green party candidate Carol Dyck and organizational consultant Mojdeh Azad to talk about the upcoming vote.

First, they analyze the news that Kirsten Kros...

As the city rips up another major intersection for the southern leg BRT leg - this time Wellington and Commissioners - business owners and managers have concerns.

Ian Sterling Leishman, President of the Old South Business Association, joined Craig on the podcast to talk about the potential problems, how BRT construction has impacted other city businesses and his proposed solutions.   The Craig Needles Podcast is power...

London City Council has asked the province for help - after downtown councillor David Ferreria noted problems popping up due to safe supply pharmacies in the core.

Craig is joined in the studio by a panel of London Abused Women's Centre Executive Director Jennifer Dunn, political insider Ryan Gauss and lawyer Matthew Newton-Reid to break down that story and more.

They also tackle the Doug Ford 'gravy plane' controversy, the provinc...

Big Brothers Big Sisters of London and Area has received funding from United Way Elgin Middlesex for 50 years.

But, amid economic pressures, the United Way has had to put a stop to the BBBSLA funding - which means the organization needs to chart a new fundraising path.

Interim executive director Lisa McIntosh joined Craig to explain what that may look like and why the work of BBBSLA is so important.

The Craig Needles Podcast is pow...

Former city councillors Roger Caranci and Cheryl Miller joined Craig at the studio to breakdown the issues of the week.

First, they look at the proposed changes to the trustee role at Ontario school boards. Can we make the changes needed to get the education system on the right track?

Then, the City of London has a multi-million dollar surplus from the property tax base. Should that be spent on homelessness initiatives?

And the sto...