Two Ontario men face charges after alleged immigration fraud at Lambton College
Aamjiwnaang given standing in Styrolutions hearing over benzene rules
June 27, 2024
The Aamjiwnaang First Nation will have have status during an hearing about INEOS Styrolutions.
May 1 – 15 days after high levels of benzene in the air sickened members of the the Aamjiwnaang First Nation – the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, pulled the company’s Environmental Compliance Approval certificate shutting the plant down.
The order required the removal of all benzene storage from the site.
The province also ordered installation of full vapour control equipment which were later mirrored by the federal government which announced an interim order May 17.
INEOS Styrolutions filed an appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal – which now hears cases regarding MECP orders. Styrolutions called the ministry’s new standards “crippling.”
The case will to be heard July 12. OLT documents show the Aamjiwnaang First Nation will be a part of it.
The OLT, in a written decision after a May 31 conference call, said Aamjiwnaang said “its members have experienced significant health and safety impacts due to benzene emissions from the site” and had “a direct and genuine interest” in Styrolutions appeal.
Neither the OLT nor Styrolutions objected to the First Nation’s standing at the coming hearing.
July 12, there will be a conference to work out the details of the tribunal hearing. The hearing itself is to be held Oct. 31.
INEOS Styrolutions said earlier this month it is closing the Sarnia Plant in 2025 citing changes in the styrene market. Most manufacturers in North America are running at 70 per cent capacity after producers in China scaled up production there.
Front Page
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.
Read More
Front Page
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
Read More
Front Page
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
Read More
Front Page
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
Read More