The Craig Needles Podcast

London hitting housing targets - but where are the affordable homes?

The City of London got a nice gift from the provincial government - an $11.2-million cheque for hitting housing start targets. The money will be used on a list of 'housing enabling infrastructure projects' set to come to council later this summer.  This is all good news, but what can we do to encourage more affordable units? When can we say London and Ontario are out of the current crisis? Craig spoke with Mayor Josh Morgan and Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack to get their thoughts. Also, Craig provides an update on the House of Hope closure [https://classicrock981.com/blogs/thecraigneedlespodcast/2026/05/ford-government-pulls-the-plug-on-supportive-housing/]. The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by London Hydro with support from Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market. Follow Craig on Twitter/X [https://x.com/NeedlesOnNews], Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/craigneedles.bsky.social] and Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/craigneedlespodcast].

Why is LTC ridership dropping so fast?

On a hot Friday in downtown London, Craig welcomed political insider Matthew Newton-Reid and former city councillor Cheryl Miller to the Covent Garden Market studio. They look at sinking London Transit ridership numbers - can the entire decline be blamed on fewer international students at Western and Fanshawe? How could we get more people on the bus? Then, a look at London's unemployment rate, which is sitting at 8.7%, and according to a CBC piece, the city has one of the worst youth unemployment rates in the country. How can this get turned around? Will it become an election issue this fall? The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by London Hydro with support from Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market. Follow Craig on Twitter/X [https://x.com/NeedlesOnNews], Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/craigneedles.bsky.social] and Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/craigneedlespodcast].

Council candidate defiant amid misconduct complaints

Nicolas Saika-Voivod is a candidate in the Ward 13 London city council race - but over a dozen women have come forward telling stories of his misconduct.   The messages about his behaviour have gone viral online and one of the women involved, using the name 'Chelsea', joined Craig on the podcast to tell her story.   What sort of person do we want to represent us at city hall? That's the question on this episode of The Craig Needles Podcast, powered by London Hydro with support from Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market.   Follow Craig on Twitter/X [https://x.com/NeedlesOnNews], Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/craigneedles.bsky.social] and Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/craigneedlespodcast].

Hockey excuses toxic behaviour

It's the offseason in the NHL, but that hasn't stopped league decision makers from giving out second, third, or fourth chances. The Edmonton Oilers have made Mike Babcock their head coach - despite a past checkered with bullying and mental abuse of his players. Their roles in the Blackhawks sexual abuse scandal haven't prevented Oilers GM Stan Bowman and Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville from getting new jobs and Carter Hart - who a year ago was on trial at the London court house for sexual assault - just played in the Stanley Cup Final. Why is hockey culture so forgiving of poor behaviour? What needs to change? Advocate Kristin Raworth joined Craig on the podcast to discuss. The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by London Hydro - with support from Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market. Follow Craig on Twitter/X [https://x.com/NeedlesOnNews], Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/craigneedles.bsky.social] and Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/craigneedlespodcast].

Why does London have so much summer construction?

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 Infrastructure Services at City of London, and joins Craig on the podcast to provide some answers. The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by London Hydro - with support from Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market. Follow Craig on Twitter/X [https://x.com/NeedlesOnNews], Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/craigneedles.bsky.social] and Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/craigneedlespodcast].