Two Ontario men face charges after alleged immigration fraud at Lambton College
June 2 moving day for big cats in Lambton Shores
May 19, 2020
The big cats of Lambton Shores need to be removed by June 2.
Justice John A. Desotti delivered the deadline Tuesday in the Ontario Court of Justice in the ongoing saga, which has now dragged on for more than a year.
Lambton Shores passed a bylaw banning exotic animals after Mark and Tammy Drysdale announced they would open the Roaring Cat Retreat in the municipality, which would have featured lions and tigers.
“In my view the clock is now ticking in respect to removal of the animals,” Justice Desotti said. “I consider this to be a hard time frame.”
The Drysdales had said it would take two weeks to construct the cages necessary to move the animals, but work had been unable to proceed due to the restrictions related to COVID-19. Desotti had previously expressed concern there may be risk associated with such construction, but with restrictions easing in Ontario the judge is confident the work can now go ahead.
Annalee Baroudi, representing Lambton Shores, said the municipality was pleased with the decision “as long as it’s going to be a firm and final deadline.”
After that date, it’s clearly understood that the municipality will be moving immediately for a contempt motion if the animals are not removed,” Baroudi said.
The Drysdales say they will have the cats moved by the June 2 deadline.
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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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