Controversial Pickering councillor in hot water again for calling for termination of CAO, senior staff

The hammer looks to be coming down – again – on Pickering Councillor Lisa Robinson, with a report recommending a 90-day suspension of pay for her latest tirade being presented at Monday’s council meeting.

The always controversial Robinson, who has been suspended three times already in her tumultuous first term, is in hot water once again for her comments made on an alt-right podcast in October calling for the dismissal of Pickering CAO Marisa Carpino because “the corruption’s at the top.”

(Carpino will be honoured at the same council Monday for being named CAO of the Year by Municipal World magazine.)

Since her election to office, Robinson has opposed Pride events, denounced Black History Month, questioned the integrity of Durham Police and generally fostered division within the city. She has been found in violation of the City’s Code of Conduct by the Integrity Commissioner on several occasions and her chaotic tenure has seen her pay docked for 30-, -60 and 90-day periods – the latter being the maximum penalty allowed under the Municipal Act.

Her comments on the ‘Truth Trumpet’ on the Rumble video platforms two months ago is a breach of the Code of Conduct, according to the report from Principles Integrity, the city’s Integrity Commissioner, with co-principal Jeff Abrams expected to deliver his report in person Monday.

Abrams is calling for a 90-day suspension of pay, which would be Robinson’s second 90-day penalty in three months.

Robinson, when asked on the podcast how she would “stop the corruption” in Pickering, said she would “tear City Hall down.”

“The first thing I would do is get rid of the CAO because the corruption’s at the top,” she said. “Get rid of the City Solicitor, get rid of a bunch of the directors, especially the ones who were in cahoots …”

Robinson also hinted on the podcast she might take a run at Pickering Kevin Ashe’s job in the next municipal election.

Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe

Abrams said in his report Robinson’s comments constitute a breach of her obligations under the Code of Conduct to “work with staff in a conscientious and respectful manner, to treat others including staff with dignity and without abuse, bullying or intimidation, and to not act in a manner that would undermine public confidence in the City of Pickering.”

The report declared Robinson did not deny her statement and instead argued they did not constitute a breach based on the freedom of expression provisions of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Abrams, however, noted that freedom of expression is not unrestricted – citing laws against defamation – and said Robinson “voluntarily” accepted her obligations under the Code upon her election.

“Her position conflates the freedom to express herself with the freedom to violate the Code of Conduct without consequence.”

Abrams added Robinson “has not provided any evidence to support the truth of her statements regarding the corruption of the CAO or the staff she leads, other than her own personal feelings. Opinion is not a substitute for fact. Without facts, there is no basis for fair comment.”

Robinson did provide a mea culpa on the matter but the Integrity Commissioner said it did not constitute a “true apology.”

“I would like to express my sincere apologies if my comments in the recent interview caused any hurt or discomfort to the CAO. My intention was not to personally attack or offend, but rather to engage in an open discussion about matters I believe are of public concern. I deeply respect the roles and contributions of all city staff, and I regret if my words were perceived as otherwise.”

Abrams said in the report he and co-principal Janice Attwood-Petkovski believe a “significant change in behaviour” is necessary to make Robinson aware that “such misconduct is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.”

“While the councillor states that she did not intend to bully or harass the CAO in using this language, she stated on a public platform that she feels the CAO is the head of a corrupt organization and then went on to list other members of administration she felt should be terminated. It is unreasonable to expect that this would not be considered to be bullying. The statement amounts to abuse and mistreatment by someone in a position of power.”

Robinson was most recently in the spotlight in August after an appearance on another far-right podcast where the host published the names, pictures, and personal phone numbers of councillors and labelled them as “pedophiles,” “nazis” and “fascists.”

Host Kevin J. Johnston, a notorious anti-vaxxer and wanted fugitive, stated on the Rumble video content platform that Pickering’s elected officials “deserve a baseball bat to the face,” suggested that a “vicious and powerful dog” be let loose at council meetings and asked for “70s biker types with big biceps and scarred knuckles” to remove the councillors by force.

The report from the Integrity Commissioner on Robinson’s appearance on the show noted the councillor “often smiled, chuckled or nodded her head in agreement” instead of “refuting or condemning these reprehensible comments.”

Robinson was slapped with a 90-day penalty for that incident.

The councillor’s recent posts on social media have continued her attacks on the workings of council:

• “The e-scooter debacle in Pickering is a masterclass in dishonesty, negligence, and appalling disrespect. – December 9
• “The so-called ‘council chamber renovation’ is a sham – a staff-driven cash grab that bulldozes democracy, ignores public input, and disrespects elected officials.” – December 7
• “The Grinch at Pickering City Hall.” – December 6
• “Only in the City of Pickering is an elected official punished three months pay for advocating for neutrality.” – December 4
• “Just when you thought you’ve seen it all. The CAO of Pickering is at it again, weaponizing the city-paid Integrity Commissioner to silence dissent.” – December 3

Monetary penalties – which do not preclude the offending councillor from attending and participating council meetings – are the strongest deterrent allowed under the Municipal Act, though the provincial government introduced legislation this week that could allow municipal councillors to be removed from office and “disqualified from running again.”

Municipalities, with Pickering among them, have been calling for updated codes of conduct to address workplace harassment, as well as stricter penalties for those who violate the rules, including removal from office.

Municipal Affairs Minister Paul Calandra, who introduced the legislation, said that removal and disqualification could only happen if the municipal integrity commissioner recommends it, if Ontario’s integrity commissioner agrees and if councillors except for the member in question unanimously agree to it in a vote.