The Craig Needles Podcast

01/17/2025

Friday Round Table!

Shawn Lewis, London Politics, Nathan Caranci and Mojdeh Cox joined Craig in the studio to talk Liberal leadership race, Ford vs. Trump, London's population surpassing 480,000 and more!

On this week’s Friday Round Table, Craig is joined by Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis, organizational consultant Mojdeh Cox and political insider Nathan Caranci to break down the week’s top stories. First, it looks like it will be Mark Carney vs. Chrystia Freeland for the Liberal leadership. Does it ma...

01/07/2025

Back from the break!

Liberal insider and strategist Andrew Perez joined Craig to talk about Justin Trudeau's (eventual) resignation, the race to be the next Liberal leader and what sort of leader the party should be looking for.

Brought to you by Downtown London and Covent Garden Market Canada.

Classic Rock 98.1

Justin Trudeau is resigning… eventually. Parliament is prorogued until the end of March, and the Liberals are going to try and find a new leader. Who should it be? How quick should the process be? Craig chats with political commentator and strategist Andrew Perez to get his thoughts on that – an...

12/26/2024

The Christmas lights in Victoria Park should probably be on... on Christmas, right?

12/20/2024

Friday Round Table!

Kelly Elliott and Mojdeh Cox joined Craig at the Covent Garden Market Canada studio to talk about the week's big stories including the drama in Ottawa and what appears to be the end of the Trudeau government.

Then, London City Councillors voted to dock Susan Stevenson 30 days pay. Do we need to change the way councillor behaviour is monitored in Ontario?

It been a crazy week in Canadian politics, and Craig is joined by organizational consultant and community activist Mojdeh Cox and former Thames Centre Deputy Mayor Kelly Elliott to break it all down. Chrystia Freeland is out. Mark Carney won’t be coming in. Justin Trudeau is facing pressure to res...

12/16/2024

New podcast!

Craig sat down with Susan Stevenson, Ward 4 Councillor to talk about the Integrity Commissioner saying she has once again violated the council Code of Conduct.

Stevenson disagrees and she and Craig discuss why.

Then, they talk about her seeking the federal Conservative nomination for the upcoming election in London North Centre.

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

Classic Rock 98.1

Oft-controversial councillor Susan Stevenson is in the news again. This time because the Integrity Commissioner has ruled she violated the council code of conduct – for a second time. However, she rejects the findings. Stevenson joined Craig on the podcast to discuss the findings and flaws in the ...

12/13/2024

Friday Round Table!

City building expert Dr. AJ Wray, Green Party candidate Carol Dyck and Jeremy McCall, London Ontario joined Craig to talk about Doug Ford's plan to stop encampments (not very good) and the City of master mobility plan (also not very good).

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

Classic Rock 98.1

On this week’s Friday Round Table, Craig welcomes city building expert Dr. AJ Wray, Green Party candidate Carol Dyck and former council candidate Jeremy McCall to the studio to talk about the week’s top stories. They look at Doug Ford’s pledge to fine encampment drug users $10,000 and send the...

12/10/2024

Premier Doug Ford says he wants to get aggressive and crack down on homeless encampments.

But, do the people staying in these places have anywhere to go? When will hubs and addictions supports actually start happening?

Mike Schreiner joins Craig on the podcast to share his thoughts.

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

Classic Rock 98.1

Ontario Premier Doug Ford wants to crack down on encampments – which could include using the notwithstanding clause. There’s just one problem. As much as they’ve discussed increased addictions help and housing, those things aren’t ready yet, so where will the people leaving the encampments g...

12/06/2024

It was a snowy Friday morning, so no round table this week.

BUT - Craig spends a few minutes sharing his takes on the latest Navigator scandal in London.

This time, the Thames Valley District School Board is paying them more than $225,000 for reasons unknown.

Craig finds that outrageous and calls on trustees to publicly explain why the money was spent.

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

Navigator makes a lot of money in London, apparently! The latest publicly funded institution revealed to be paying them is the Thames Valley District School Board – to the tune of more than $225,000, according to the London Free Press. Craig has questions. Why won’t trustees tell us what the mon...

12/03/2024

By January 1st, 2025 Ontario was supposed to be a fully accessible province.

We aren't there yet.

Advocates Dr. Jeff Preston and Frances Moore joined Craig on the podcast to discuss what needs to change in Ontario and how committed we are to making that happen.

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

December 3rd is International Day of Persons with Disabilities Day! Also, less than a month from today, Ontario was supposed to be fully accessible as a province. We aren’t there yet. Advocates Dr. Jeff Preston and Frances Moore joined Craig in the studio to talk about where we are and where we ne...

11/29/2024

Friday Round Table!

Shawn Lewis, London Politics, former city councillor Cheryl Miller and political insider Ryan Gauss joined Craig at the Covent Garden Market Canada studio!

They discussed the London budget debate and why your property taxes are going up 7.4%.

Then, the panel looks at "calling the question" and whether that hurts democratic discourse at city committee meetings, and a bizarre rant by a Sarnia councillor has them wondering - should there be more options to remove councillors who aren't fit for the job?

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

Classic Rock 98.1

On this week’s Friday Round Table, London Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis, former city councillor Cheryl Miller an political insider Ryan Gauss join Craig at the Covent Garden Market studio. The panel gives their thoughts on London’s 7.4% property tax increase and where additional savings could have be...

11/26/2024

New podcast episode!

The community need is greater than ever, and the Salvation Army has set a $650,000 goal with their Christmas Kettle Campaign.

How will they get there? How many Londoners could that money help?

London Community Services Executive Director Nancy Kerr joined Craig on the podcast to share her thoughts.

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

Classic Rock 98.1

The Salvation Army has an ambitious goal with their kettle campaign in 2024: They want to raise $650,000. Can they do it? They’ll need your help. London Community Services Executive Director Nancy Kerr joined Craig on the podcast to explain why they set a high goal, talk about the need in the comm...

11/22/2024

Friday Round Table!

Steve Cordes of Youth Opportunities Unlimited YOU, Indigenous activist Frances Moore and former Green Party candidate Carol Dyck joined Craig to talk about the week's top issues.

They looked at the ArkAid debate at city hall, and what has happened with homeless prevention during budget discussions - while also looking at the YOU hub and the latest with the Health and Homelessness Fund for Change.

Then, they look at the promised money from the federal and provincial governments - and whether that's a wise choice from the Trudeau/Ford decision makers.

Finally, a conversation about former Liberal cabinet minister Randy Boissonnault, ho has left his position after reporting indicated he falsely claimed Indigenous identity.

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

On this week’s Friday Round Table, Craig is joined by Y.O.U. Executive Director Steve Cordes, Indigenous activist Frances Moore and former Green Party candidate Carol Dyck. They look at he ongoing council budget deliberations and how council spending will impact homelessness in the community, incl...

11/19/2024

New podcast!

Craig sat down with Skylar Franke - London City Council Ward 11 Councillor to talk about a letter written to the provincial government asking Doug Ford to avoid using the notwithstanding clause to remove people from homeless encampments in the province.

They the talk about what the provincial government should be doing on the homelessness issue.

After that, Josh Morgan talked with Craig at the news conference for the new Youth Opportunities Unlimited YOU hub at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC).

Why was this hub a good investment with that Health and Homelessness Fund for Change money? What else is being done with the money? Why aren't there more hubs?

Craig and Mayor Morgan discuss on the podcast, which is brought to you by Downtown London and Covent Garden Market Canada.

Classic Rock 98.1

Dozens of councillors in municipalities all over Ontario have signed a letter asking Premier Doug Ford not to use the notwithstanding clause to remove people from homeless encampments. One of those councillors is Skylar Franke, who joined Craig on the podcast to explain why she signed the letter and...

11/16/2024

Saturday Podcast!

Some big news from the federal government. They're chipping in millions to assist with major London priorities like homelessness and transit.

But they're challenging the province to do the same.

Peter Fragiskatos joined Craig on the podcast to explain.

Powered by Downtown London and Covent Garden Market.

Find it where you get your podcasts. Links in the comments.

11/15/2024

New episode!

It's the Friday Round Table with Hadleigh McAlister Ward 1, former Thames Centre Deputy Mahor Kelly Elliott and Blackburn Media News Manager Scott Kitching.

Craig and the panel talked about how an early provincial election might turnout, Pillar Non-Profit going after city council, and council's focus on smaller (in financial terms) items as they look through the 2024-25 budget update.

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

Classic Rock 98.1

Lots for the panel to chat about on this week’s Friday Round Table. London City Councillor Hadleigh McAlister, former Thames Centre Deputy Mayor Kelly Elliott and Blackburn Media News Manager Scott Kitching. They breakdown the speculation about a provincial election. Are we going to the polls in F...

11/12/2024

A lot of conversation about Ark Aid Street Mission at London City Hall in the last few weeks.

Some of it has been accurate. Some of it... not so much. To help us separate fact from fiction, Executive Director Sarah Campbell, joins Craig for a wide ranging conversation.

They discuss Ark Aid's $4-million budget ask from the city, the move to stop "drop in spaces" on Dundas and more.

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

Classic Rock 98.1

There’s been a lot of conversation – some true, some false – surrounding Ark Aid Street Mission in Old East Village. Why did they make a $4-million funding request to council? What actually happens at Ark Aid? What services do they provide? What about the people who live and work in EV having ...

11/08/2024

Friday Round Table!

Craig was joined at the market studio by Steve Lehman Councilor Ward 8, former TVDSB trustee Matthew Newton-Reid, and community builder Jeremy McCall.

They tackled the week's big stories, including the battle over ArkAid funding, the distance between homes and encampments, a new sports facility in London, more questionable travel spending at local school boards and what impact a second Trump administration may have in London.

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

On this week’s Friday Round Table, Craig is joined by city councillor Steve Lehman, former TVDSB trustee Matthew Newton-Reid, and community builder Jeremy McCall. They look at the ongoing battle at city hall over funding ArkAid, new rules for encampments, a plan to build a sports park near the 401...

11/05/2024

Downtown is changing. What does that mean for the future of Covent Garden Market Canada?

GM and CEO Amy Shackleton joins Craig on the podcast to talk about how they're getting feedback from market customers and vendors.

The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by the market and Downtown London.

After celebrating their 25th anniversary in their King Street building, the what’s the future look like for the Covent Garden Market? Does the changing downtown landscape (fewer office workers, more people living nearby) mean the market needs to change hours? Or vendors? General manager and CEO Am...