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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

The London Police Services Board is standing by the decision to spend $104,000 on Navigator - a PR firm who has worked with lots of high profile clients. 

A member of that board - Mayor Josh Morgan - joins Craig on the podcast to talk about the broader implications of that spending.

Will the London Transit Commission feel they have to hire Navigator now? What about the London Public Library Board?

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

So, how did that TVDSB executive trip to Toronto happen, anyway?

Beth Mai, the Chair of the Board of Trustees, joins Craig on the podcast to share her side of that story, and talk about the reaction parents and teachers have had to the cost of the jaunt 17 executives took to the SkyDome Hotel being revealed.

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

The London Police Services Board is under fire after, as per a story in the London Free Press, they spent more than $100,000 on Navigator to do communications surrounding their massive $672-million ask during the most recent budget cycle at city hall.

Why did they do it? Why choose Navigator, a rather infamous PR provider, of all firms?

Board chair Ali Chahbar joined Craig to explain the rational behind those decisions.

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

We got the receipts for the TVDSB's jaunt to Toronto, and the numbers aren't good.

$38,444.22 for 18 executives to meet at the SkyDome hotel and maybe watch a few ballgames - all while the board is facing a multi-million dollar deficit.

Not great!

Bill Tucker, who retired as Education Director in 2013, is back! He takes over for the embattled Mark Fisher, who is now "on leave" from the role.

Tucker joins Craig on the podcast to discuss the spending scandal, how to repair trust in the community and more.

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