Two Ontario men face charges after alleged immigration fraud at Lambton College
Realtor says mayor in conflict for selling town employees homes
January 29, 2018
Petrolia realtor Bob Leaper says Mayor John McCharles is in violating the town’s Code of Conduct when selling the homes of town employees.
After the resignation of CAO Manny Baron, Leaper and two other local developers came to council saying developers McCharles works for receive preferential treatment.
Monday, Leaper told council he feels the mayor is in contravention of the town’s Code of Conduct which says members of council should “act with integrity and avoid the improper use of the influence of their office” and should not accept fees or benefits connected “directly or indirectly” with their official duties because he sold homes to at least two of the town’s CAOs.
Leaper added a Code of Conduct investigation should be launched into the practice.
The Independent asked McCharles to comment on Leapers assertions and he declined saying doing so would put him in a conflict of interest.
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Two Ontario men face charges after alleged immigration fraud at Lambton College
July 10, 2026
Heather Wright/The Independent EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was edited July 10 to include comments from the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants Two men are facing immigration and criminal charges after Lambton College tipped authorities off about a student immigration scam. College officials called the Canada Border Services Agency in February 2025, about students who had dealt with immigration consultants.
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OPP look for missing Crime Stoppers sign in Thedford
July 9, 2026
The Independent It may not be a good sign for Crime Stoppers. Lambton OPP were called to the intersection of Highway 70 and Arkona Road after a large Crime Stoppers sign at the entrance of the community was stolen. It’s valued at $800. Police are investigating, adding if you have tip about the stolen Crime Stoppers’ sign, you can call
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Whoops: Local plowing match officials back track, confirms Brigden will host 2027 IPM after all
July 9, 2026
Heather Wright/The Independent The Lambton 2027 International Plowing Match Committee says they were wrong; the 2027 event will be in Brigden. A local committee landed the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo in April 2025. The group attracted hundreds of volunteers and planning was well underway. In late May, Ontario Plowmen’s Association (OPA) officials came to Brigden, working with the
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Integrity Commissioner dismisses complaint against Dennis’ ‘woke’ art tirade
July 9, 2026
The Independent The Integrity Commissioner says a Sarnia councillor’s comments about an Indigenous mural at City Hall were “a political argument” and has dismissed the complaint. In March, Sarnia unveiled a mural depicting the relationship between Sarnia-Lambton and The Council of Three Fires Confederacy; the Ojibway, Odawa, and Potawatomi people. The project included the $5,000 mural, a new wall honouring
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