“Have you ever had a nice baked cod, Peter?” “Yes! In fact, I was treated to a fine homemade meal once featuring baked cod. The host was from Newfoundland and talked about how the cod industry was decimated by overfishing.” “Yeah, that hurt a lot of people.” “It sure did, …
OPINION One thing I’ve learned about journalism in my 20-or-so years in the business is that reporting real news, important news, is both exhausting and paramount. And try not to get too cosy with those you are tasked to write about. That’s the mission, if you choose to accept it. …
A reception, activities, and even a new podcast will mark its diamond anniversary Despite the challenges brought on by the COVID pandemic, the Madawaska Valley Public Library (MVPL) is marking its 60th anniversary next week and will use this milestone to celebrate with the community it serves, including an outdoor …
Exclusive to The Current In January 2019 multiple news sources reported that Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College’s (SWC) former assistant professor of music Uwe Lieflander had been charged by Ottawa Police with sexual assault. The charges relate to offences alleged to have occurred in 2016 and 2017. Lieflander was …
Editor’s Note: Current writer James Di Fiore recently launched his new podcast Blackballed with James Di Fiore. Here he explains how Noam Chomsky came to be his first guest. Last year I emailed Noam Chomsky on a whim. I wanted to ask him if it felt strange to be stating …
As previously reported by The Current, last November Brudenell Lyndoch Raglan Township (BLR) commenced a Superior Court application under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act (MCIA) against Councillor Andrea Budarick (at right above). The claim which was commenced by BLR’s Integrity Commissioner, Peggy Young-Lovelace of E4m (above left), asks the …
The Brudenell Lyndoch Raglan (BLR) Integrity Commissioner, Ms. Peggy Young-Lovelace of the Sudbury consulting firm E4m Solutions Inc., was criticized on April 7th when a resident spoke during a public council meeting. BLR resident Mike McCloskey accused E4m of making false statements, misusing its authority to influence council and ultimately …
The OPP investigation of potential procurement fraud arising from gravel purchases by Brudenell Lyndoch and Raglan Township (BLR) continues with investigators conducting interviews with at least one member of the BLR Council. Bill Dickson, A/Manager of Media Relations for the OPP, in a response to questions from The Current confirmed that a …
OPINION Bus Consortium to parents: ‘We regret that this will cause disruption to people’s lives.’ Full disclosure: I am a father of two children, 6 and 4 years old respectively, who are enrolled at Killaloe Public School. When I first found out about the newly proposed staggered bus system, an …
OPINION Hi. I met someone recently. Me. Listen, don’t worry, I’m not going to endlessly drone on about what sort of impact this pandemic is having on all of us. I’ve done that before, as have many others, and frankly the idea of dwelling on the virus and its impact …
A blistering report was presented to Brudenell Lyndoch and Raglan (BLR) Council on November 4th by the BLR Integrity Commissioner. Above: Integrity Commissioner Peggy Young-Lovelace E4m (Photo Elliot Lake Standard) The report followed a complaint that Councillor Andrea Budarick, after declaring a pecuniary interest, contravened sections of the Municipal Conflict …
Earlier this year The Current’s publisher sent a Freedom of Information request (FOI) under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) to Madawaska Valley Township’s CAO Suzanne Klatt. He asked for disclosure of records that the Township and Council relied on to justify the personal public …
Opinion Back in 2005 I was working as a reporter for a newspaper in the small town of Weyburn, Saskatchewan. It was the only paper of record in Weyburn, and much of its focus was on generating ads rather than reporting news. My assignments were the typical types: photos at …
Madawaska Valley residents have faced several recent examples of individuals, groups, and institutions who are either openly flouting mandatory mask directives, or finding loopholes within the guidelines so they are exempt from wearing masks publicly. Above: face mask poster issued by Renfrew County & District Health Unit. Image rcdhu One …
Editor’s note: In the second of our series on schools reopening, James di Fiore explains why his family will be home schooling this fall. We didn’t think we had much of a choice. That was the main thought my wife and I had when we finally decided to keep …
