Leah Borts-Kuperman (Freelance Journalist)
@leahbortskuperman.bsky.social
Environment and agriculture journalist in Northern Ontario, Canada. Work in @TheNarwhal.ca @TheLocal.to @TheWalrus.ca @NationalObserver.com and others.
Get in touch📩: LeahKuperman.com
Get in touch📩: LeahKuperman.com
Pinned
Military vets and civil servants say contamination at CFB Moose Jaw, home of the Snowbirds, have led to cancers, neurological disorders and more. @leahbortskuperman.bsky.social spent eight months on an investigation into PFAS (forever chemicals) and more on the base thenarwhal.ca/canadian-arm...
Staff at Canadian Armed Forces base say contamination made them sick | The Narwhal
CFB Moose Jaw is contaminated with forever chemicals (PFAS). Employees say toxins at the Canadian Armed Forces base caused cancers, neurological disorders and other illnesses
thenarwhal.ca
I spent the last eight months investigating a cluster of life-altering and terminal illnesses on a military base in Moose Jaw, Sask. What I found will stay with me forever. Give it a read here:
"Military’s own study finds harmful contaminants in Moose Jaw base building": The base is one of many across Canada dealing with contamination. Internal studies I obtained reveal an apparent discrepancy as the federal government maintains the site is safe for employees: thenarwhal.ca/cfb-moose-ja...
Internal studies at CFB Moose Jaw reveal contamination risk | The Narwhal
Despite contamination with ‘forever chemicals,’ the federal government maintains CFB Moose Jaw is safe for employees
thenarwhal.ca
October 10, 2025 at 4:48 PM
"Military’s own study finds harmful contaminants in Moose Jaw base building": The base is one of many across Canada dealing with contamination. Internal studies I obtained reveal an apparent discrepancy as the federal government maintains the site is safe for employees: thenarwhal.ca/cfb-moose-ja...
Reposted by Leah Borts-Kuperman (Freelance Journalist)
Former employees of a military base in Moose Jaw, Sask., believe workplace contamination is responsible for their cancers and other life-altering illnesses. An internal military report confirmed the presence of chemicals experts have linked to serious disease.
thenarwhal.ca/cfb-moose-ja...
thenarwhal.ca/cfb-moose-ja...
Internal studies at CFB Moose Jaw reveal contamination risk | The Narwhal
Despite contamination with ‘forever chemicals,’ the federal government maintains CFB Moose Jaw is safe for employees
thenarwhal.ca
October 6, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Former employees of a military base in Moose Jaw, Sask., believe workplace contamination is responsible for their cancers and other life-altering illnesses. An internal military report confirmed the presence of chemicals experts have linked to serious disease.
thenarwhal.ca/cfb-moose-ja...
thenarwhal.ca/cfb-moose-ja...
"A matcha shortage is coming for social media’s latest obsession."
TikTok has helped propel the green tea powder into the next big functional ingredient. But the explosive demand is straining supply and fueling a rise of online scalpers.
My latest for Food Dive: www.fooddive.com/news/a-match...
TikTok has helped propel the green tea powder into the next big functional ingredient. But the explosive demand is straining supply and fueling a rise of online scalpers.
My latest for Food Dive: www.fooddive.com/news/a-match...
A matcha shortage is coming for social media’s latest obsession
TikTok has helped propel the green tea powder into the next big functional ingredient. But the explosive demand is straining supply and fueling a rise of online scalpers.
www.fooddive.com
October 8, 2025 at 4:10 PM
"A matcha shortage is coming for social media’s latest obsession."
TikTok has helped propel the green tea powder into the next big functional ingredient. But the explosive demand is straining supply and fueling a rise of online scalpers.
My latest for Food Dive: www.fooddive.com/news/a-match...
TikTok has helped propel the green tea powder into the next big functional ingredient. But the explosive demand is straining supply and fueling a rise of online scalpers.
My latest for Food Dive: www.fooddive.com/news/a-match...
Reposted by Leah Borts-Kuperman (Freelance Journalist)
Newcomer women in Canada are turning recipes into revenue—and reclaiming community through food and co-ops. From empanadas at Granville Island to multilingual translation services, Flavours of Hope and Culture Links are rewriting the immigrant recipe. Read the full article here: tinyurl.com/mrx69sr5
Cooking up opportunity: Co-ops, worker-led business models helping newcomers thrive | Future of Good
When you move into a country as large and diverse as Canada, it can be difficult to find a taste of the familiar.
futureofgood.co
October 1, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Newcomer women in Canada are turning recipes into revenue—and reclaiming community through food and co-ops. From empanadas at Granville Island to multilingual translation services, Flavours of Hope and Culture Links are rewriting the immigrant recipe. Read the full article here: tinyurl.com/mrx69sr5
My latest article for @futureofgood.bsky.social!
Newcomer women in Canada are turning recipes into revenue—and reclaiming community through food and co-ops. From empanadas at Granville Island to multilingual translation services, Flavours of Hope and Culture Links are rewriting the immigrant recipe. Read the full article here: tinyurl.com/mrx69sr5
Cooking up opportunity: Co-ops, worker-led business models helping newcomers thrive | Future of Good
When you move into a country as large and diverse as Canada, it can be difficult to find a taste of the familiar.
futureofgood.co
October 3, 2025 at 12:58 AM
My latest article for @futureofgood.bsky.social!
Reposted by Leah Borts-Kuperman (Freelance Journalist)
We hear a lot about Canada's push for critical minerals, and new policies and plans to see it through. It isn't always clear how exactly that will play out on the ground, so @leahbortskuperman.bsky.social headed to Timmins, Ont., to find out: thenarwhal.ca/critical-min...
Massive nickel mine planned north of Timmins, Ontario | The Narwhal
Amid a critical minerals rush, Canada Nickel’s Crawford mine project offers risks and opportunities for Timmins, in northern Ontario.
thenarwhal.ca
September 23, 2025 at 4:30 PM
We hear a lot about Canada's push for critical minerals, and new policies and plans to see it through. It isn't always clear how exactly that will play out on the ground, so @leahbortskuperman.bsky.social headed to Timmins, Ont., to find out: thenarwhal.ca/critical-min...
My latest for @thenarwhal.ca: A massive nickel mine, and the community that wants to love it. Timmins, Ont., has a long history of mining and its economy could use another boom. But, who will protect the town from financial and environmental bust?
thenarwhal.ca/critical-min...
thenarwhal.ca/critical-min...
Massive nickel mine planned north of Timmins, Ontario | The Narwhal
Amid a critical minerals rush, Canada Nickel’s Crawford mine project offers risks and opportunities for Timmins, in northern Ontario.
thenarwhal.ca
September 23, 2025 at 3:08 PM
My latest for @thenarwhal.ca: A massive nickel mine, and the community that wants to love it. Timmins, Ont., has a long history of mining and its economy could use another boom. But, who will protect the town from financial and environmental bust?
thenarwhal.ca/critical-min...
thenarwhal.ca/critical-min...
Reposted by Leah Borts-Kuperman (Freelance Journalist)
Timmins, Ont., has a sordid history with mining, from boom to bust, and the scars left behind. With a massive nickel mine set to open nearby, many want the jobs and benefits, but also a more cautious approach to critical minerals. @leahbortskuperman.bsky.social reports: thenarwhal.ca/critical-min...
Massive nickel mine planned north of Timmins, Ontario | The Narwhal
Amid a critical minerals rush, Canada Nickel’s Crawford mine project offers risks and opportunities for Timmins, in northern Ontario.
thenarwhal.ca
September 23, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Timmins, Ont., has a sordid history with mining, from boom to bust, and the scars left behind. With a massive nickel mine set to open nearby, many want the jobs and benefits, but also a more cautious approach to critical minerals. @leahbortskuperman.bsky.social reports: thenarwhal.ca/critical-min...
Toronto indie mag pushes back against ‘AI-generated slop’:
Editors @thegrindto.bsky.social caught 7 articles for one special edition they suspected were AI fakes. The scammers went to unbelievable lengths to keep up their cons.
Read the full story @jsource.bsky.social: j-source.ca/toronto-indi...
Editors @thegrindto.bsky.social caught 7 articles for one special edition they suspected were AI fakes. The scammers went to unbelievable lengths to keep up their cons.
Read the full story @jsource.bsky.social: j-source.ca/toronto-indi...
Toronto indie mag pushes back against ‘AI-generated slop’ - J-Source
Editors at The Grind caught seven articles for one special edition they suspected were AI fakes
j-source.ca
September 6, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Toronto indie mag pushes back against ‘AI-generated slop’:
Editors @thegrindto.bsky.social caught 7 articles for one special edition they suspected were AI fakes. The scammers went to unbelievable lengths to keep up their cons.
Read the full story @jsource.bsky.social: j-source.ca/toronto-indi...
Editors @thegrindto.bsky.social caught 7 articles for one special edition they suspected were AI fakes. The scammers went to unbelievable lengths to keep up their cons.
Read the full story @jsource.bsky.social: j-source.ca/toronto-indi...
High coffee prices brew interest in bean-free alternatives: Costs tied to climate change and tariffs could position substitutes made from broken rice or other ingredients as cheaper, more sustainable options.
My latest for Food Dive:
My latest for Food Dive:
High coffee prices brew interest in bean-free alternatives
Costs tied to climate change and tariffs could position substitutes made from broken rice or other ingredients as cheaper, more sustainable options.
www.fooddive.com
August 27, 2025 at 3:05 PM
High coffee prices brew interest in bean-free alternatives: Costs tied to climate change and tariffs could position substitutes made from broken rice or other ingredients as cheaper, more sustainable options.
My latest for Food Dive:
My latest for Food Dive:
Reposted by Leah Borts-Kuperman (Freelance Journalist)
7 out of Ontario's 8 bat species are endangered, including the little brown bat. But in Shawanaga First Nation, where hundreds of bats have moved in, a unique species-at-risk program brings the community together to help them. New from @leahbortskuperman.bsky.social: thenarwhal.ca/shawanaga-fi...
Shawanaga First Nation gathers to help endangered bats | The Narwhal
In Ontario’s Georgian Bay region, Shawanaga First Nation leads an effort to protect little brown myotis bats
thenarwhal.ca
August 14, 2025 at 12:27 PM
7 out of Ontario's 8 bat species are endangered, including the little brown bat. But in Shawanaga First Nation, where hundreds of bats have moved in, a unique species-at-risk program brings the community together to help them. New from @leahbortskuperman.bsky.social: thenarwhal.ca/shawanaga-fi...
Reposted by Leah Borts-Kuperman (Freelance Journalist)
loved editing this story by @leahbortskuperman.bsky.social about the Shawanaga First Nation species-at-risk program — a reserve with fewer than 200 residents, many of whom pitch in to monitor and support these nocturnal neighbours.
7 out of Ontario's 8 bat species are endangered, including the little brown bat. But in Shawanaga First Nation, where hundreds of bats have moved in, a unique species-at-risk program brings the community together to help them. New from @leahbortskuperman.bsky.social: thenarwhal.ca/shawanaga-fi...
Shawanaga First Nation gathers to help endangered bats | The Narwhal
In Ontario’s Georgian Bay region, Shawanaga First Nation leads an effort to protect little brown myotis bats
thenarwhal.ca
August 14, 2025 at 7:57 PM
loved editing this story by @leahbortskuperman.bsky.social about the Shawanaga First Nation species-at-risk program — a reserve with fewer than 200 residents, many of whom pitch in to monitor and support these nocturnal neighbours.
Reposted by Leah Borts-Kuperman (Freelance Journalist)
Facing a housing crunch, National Defence plans to build on bases across Canada. But, @leahbortskuperman.bsky.social reports, every one is contaminated with chemicals linked to cancer, heart issues and more. Can they be cleaned up enough to keep military families safe?
thenarwhal.ca/national-def...
thenarwhal.ca/national-def...
National Defence plans housing on contaminated sites | The Narwhal
As Canada increases military might, National Defence aims to solve its housing crunch by cleaning up sites containing PFAS, PCBs and other toxins
thenarwhal.ca
July 31, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Facing a housing crunch, National Defence plans to build on bases across Canada. But, @leahbortskuperman.bsky.social reports, every one is contaminated with chemicals linked to cancer, heart issues and more. Can they be cleaned up enough to keep military families safe?
thenarwhal.ca/national-def...
thenarwhal.ca/national-def...
"Training citizens to watch the watchmen: Documenters Canada brings transparency to your neighbourhood public meetings." My latest for @futureofgood.bsky.social with interviews @magdakon.bsky.social, @neeeda.bsky.social, and others improving #onpoli accountability:
futureofgood.co/training-cit...
futureofgood.co/training-cit...
Training citizens to watch the watchmen: Documenters Canada brings transparency to your neighbourhood public meetings | Future of Good
"Now these folks know, and … when there's development in their neighborhood, they're going to know that they can go and take part in that.”
futureofgood.co
July 21, 2025 at 2:00 AM
"Training citizens to watch the watchmen: Documenters Canada brings transparency to your neighbourhood public meetings." My latest for @futureofgood.bsky.social with interviews @magdakon.bsky.social, @neeeda.bsky.social, and others improving #onpoli accountability:
futureofgood.co/training-cit...
futureofgood.co/training-cit...
Reposted by Leah Borts-Kuperman (Freelance Journalist)
With the decline of local journalism and mainstream media resources, it becomes difficult to truly understand what happened at local public meetings. This is one solution to help solve that problem.
Read the full article here: futureofgood.co/training-cit...
Read the full article here: futureofgood.co/training-cit...
Training citizens to watch the watchmen: Documenters Canada brings transparency to your neighbourhood public meetings | Future of Good
"Now these folks know, and … when there's development in their neighborhood, they're going to know that they can go and take part in that.”
futureofgood.co
July 17, 2025 at 2:14 PM
With the decline of local journalism and mainstream media resources, it becomes difficult to truly understand what happened at local public meetings. This is one solution to help solve that problem.
Read the full article here: futureofgood.co/training-cit...
Read the full article here: futureofgood.co/training-cit...
Reposted by Leah Borts-Kuperman (Freelance Journalist)
From cancers to neurological disorders, veterans and employees working on a Canadian Armed Forces base are ringing alarm bells. @leahbortskuperman.bsky.social explains the key takeaways from her months-long investigation into federal contaminated sites: thenarwhal.ca/canadian-arm...
Canadian Armed Forces: CFB Moose Jaw contamination, explained | The Narwhal
Veterans and employees working on Canadian Armed Forces’ CFB Moose Jaw base are ringing alarm bells. Here’s what you need to know
thenarwhal.ca
July 16, 2025 at 12:56 PM
From cancers to neurological disorders, veterans and employees working on a Canadian Armed Forces base are ringing alarm bells. @leahbortskuperman.bsky.social explains the key takeaways from her months-long investigation into federal contaminated sites: thenarwhal.ca/canadian-arm...
Reposted by Leah Borts-Kuperman (Freelance Journalist)
Honeybees distribute pollen, so what if we got them to spread organic pesticides and beneficial microbes?
New from @leahbortskuperman.bsky.social:
ambrook.com/offrange/tec...
New from @leahbortskuperman.bsky.social:
ambrook.com/offrange/tec...
Using Bees to Spread Pesticides - Offrange
Scientists say “bee vectoring” could help control pests — but how viable is it?
ambrook.com
July 9, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Honeybees distribute pollen, so what if we got them to spread organic pesticides and beneficial microbes?
New from @leahbortskuperman.bsky.social:
ambrook.com/offrange/tec...
New from @leahbortskuperman.bsky.social:
ambrook.com/offrange/tec...
I spent the last eight months investigating a cluster of life-altering and terminal illnesses on a military base in Moose Jaw, Sask. What I found will stay with me forever. Give it a read here:
Military vets and civil servants say contamination at CFB Moose Jaw, home of the Snowbirds, have led to cancers, neurological disorders and more. @leahbortskuperman.bsky.social spent eight months on an investigation into PFAS (forever chemicals) and more on the base thenarwhal.ca/canadian-arm...
Staff at Canadian Armed Forces base say contamination made them sick | The Narwhal
CFB Moose Jaw is contaminated with forever chemicals (PFAS). Employees say toxins at the Canadian Armed Forces base caused cancers, neurological disorders and other illnesses
thenarwhal.ca
July 8, 2025 at 4:54 PM
I spent the last eight months investigating a cluster of life-altering and terminal illnesses on a military base in Moose Jaw, Sask. What I found will stay with me forever. Give it a read here:
Reposted by Leah Borts-Kuperman (Freelance Journalist)
Military vets and civil servants say contamination at CFB Moose Jaw, home of the Snowbirds, have led to cancers, neurological disorders and more. @leahbortskuperman.bsky.social spent eight months on an investigation into PFAS (forever chemicals) and more on the base thenarwhal.ca/canadian-arm...
Staff at Canadian Armed Forces base say contamination made them sick | The Narwhal
CFB Moose Jaw is contaminated with forever chemicals (PFAS). Employees say toxins at the Canadian Armed Forces base caused cancers, neurological disorders and other illnesses
thenarwhal.ca
July 8, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Military vets and civil servants say contamination at CFB Moose Jaw, home of the Snowbirds, have led to cancers, neurological disorders and more. @leahbortskuperman.bsky.social spent eight months on an investigation into PFAS (forever chemicals) and more on the base thenarwhal.ca/canadian-arm...
As cocoa prices soar, cocoa-free chocolate substitutes offer a cheaper and potentially more sustainable solution for the sweets sector... But can consumers be convinced to give up their chocolate addiction? My latest for Food Dive: www.fooddive.com/news/chocola...
Can chocolate substitutes step in as cocoa prices soar?
As Hershey and other confectionery giants continue to navigate higher costs, startups and ingredient suppliers are looking to scale alternative options to help manage the volatility.
www.fooddive.com
July 6, 2025 at 10:29 PM
As cocoa prices soar, cocoa-free chocolate substitutes offer a cheaper and potentially more sustainable solution for the sweets sector... But can consumers be convinced to give up their chocolate addiction? My latest for Food Dive: www.fooddive.com/news/chocola...
"Using Bees to Spread Pesticides," my latest for Offrange, looking at a buzz-worthy biological control solution to pests and plant diseases destroying between 20 and 40 percent of the global annual harvest:
ambrook.com/offrange/tec... #agriculture #solutions #sojo #bees #pollinators
ambrook.com/offrange/tec... #agriculture #solutions #sojo #bees #pollinators
Using Bees to Spread Pesticides - Offrange
Scientists say “bee vectoring” could help control pests — but how viable is it?
ambrook.com
July 3, 2025 at 5:57 PM
"Using Bees to Spread Pesticides," my latest for Offrange, looking at a buzz-worthy biological control solution to pests and plant diseases destroying between 20 and 40 percent of the global annual harvest:
ambrook.com/offrange/tec... #agriculture #solutions #sojo #bees #pollinators
ambrook.com/offrange/tec... #agriculture #solutions #sojo #bees #pollinators
Reposted by Leah Borts-Kuperman (Freelance Journalist)
Today, there's a constant barrage of bad news coming from...everywhere. @thelocal.to's latest issue, Wild Wild City, offers a similar chance to see the world from a different perspective. thelocal.to/summer-2025/ 3/
Wild Wild City | The Local
In different corners of Toronto, human and animal worlds are colliding in unexpected ways. From divisive fights over cormorants and coyotes, to the rise and fall of niche industries, to Indigenous-led...
thelocal.to
July 2, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Today, there's a constant barrage of bad news coming from...everywhere. @thelocal.to's latest issue, Wild Wild City, offers a similar chance to see the world from a different perspective. thelocal.to/summer-2025/ 3/
Reposted by Leah Borts-Kuperman (Freelance Journalist)
“If I wanted to open up a zoo in my backyard, fill it with dangerous, exotic animals who don't do well in captivity… I would be perfectly able to do that.” thelocal.to/ontario-road...
End Times at Ontario’s Roadside Zoos? | The Local
Ontario’s lax regulations have made the province the “wild west” for exotic animals. But as public concern over animal welfare grows, some zoos are buckling under the pressure.
thelocal.to
June 24, 2025 at 7:35 PM
“If I wanted to open up a zoo in my backyard, fill it with dangerous, exotic animals who don't do well in captivity… I would be perfectly able to do that.” thelocal.to/ontario-road...
Ontario’s lax regulations have made the province the “wild west” for exotic animals. But as public concern over animal welfare grows, some zoos are buckling under the pressure.
Read my latest for @thelocal.to: "End Times at Ontario’s Roadside Zoos?"
thelocal.to/ontario-road...
Read my latest for @thelocal.to: "End Times at Ontario’s Roadside Zoos?"
thelocal.to/ontario-road...
End Times at Ontario’s Roadside Zoos? | The Local
Ontario’s lax regulations have made the province the “wild west” for exotic animals. But as public concern over animal welfare grows, some zoos are buckling under the pressure.
thelocal.to
June 24, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Ontario’s lax regulations have made the province the “wild west” for exotic animals. But as public concern over animal welfare grows, some zoos are buckling under the pressure.
Read my latest for @thelocal.to: "End Times at Ontario’s Roadside Zoos?"
thelocal.to/ontario-road...
Read my latest for @thelocal.to: "End Times at Ontario’s Roadside Zoos?"
thelocal.to/ontario-road...
Reposted by Leah Borts-Kuperman (Freelance Journalist)
Ontario’s lax regulations have made the province the “wild west” for exotic animals. But as public concern over animal welfare grows, writes @leahbortskuperman.bsky.social, there are signs the era of the roadside zoo could be coming to an end. thelocal.to/ontario-road...
End Times at Ontario’s Roadside Zoos? | The Local
Ontario’s lax regulations have made the province the “wild west” for exotic animals. But as public concern over animal welfare grows, some zoos are buckling under the pressure.
thelocal.to
June 24, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Ontario’s lax regulations have made the province the “wild west” for exotic animals. But as public concern over animal welfare grows, writes @leahbortskuperman.bsky.social, there are signs the era of the roadside zoo could be coming to an end. thelocal.to/ontario-road...