Invitation revoked – controversial Pickering councillor told not to attend veteran’s dinner
Published November 8, 2024 at 4:33 pm
The always controversial Lisa Robinson has had her invitation to the annual Veterans Dinner at a Royal Canadian Legion hall in Pickering Saturday night revoked because of her “alleged connections to Nazi sympathizers, harassment and bullying.”
The letter from Branch 606, signed by President Alexander MacDonald, First Vice-President Michael McFarlane and Ladies Auxiliary President Janet Axford, said members are “very concerned” with the negative publicity surrounding Robinson, who has been found in violation of the City’s Code of Conduct on several occasions – she has had her pay docked for 30, 60, and 90-day periods during her chaotic tenure – and has also been “actively soliciting” donations and funding from far-right sources to recover her financial losses.
“The Royal Canadian Legion code of ethics does not promote or condone this type of behaviour, alleged or otherwise,” the letter stated. “Many of the Second World War veterans (land, sea and air) fought and died to protect Canada and the world against rule by a supremist or dictator group of people. In short, the veterans will not be comfortable if you are in attendance at a dinner specifically put on to thank all the veterans for their service to their country.”
Robinson claimed the allegations are based on “rumors spread by fellow council members,” adding that despite being “the only one fighting for freedom and the rights of Pickering residents,” she was being “shut out.”
“Is this what our veterans sacrificed for?”
Robinson said she was “profoundly disappointed” by the Legion decision, pointing out that the event should “transcend politics” and stand as “a tribute to those who sacrificed everything to secure the freedoms we cherish.”
“As someone who has consistently fought for these very freedoms, as my family did,” she said, “this decision feels like a betrayal, not only to me but to the principles our veterans gave their lives for.”
Robinson then claimed her colleagues on council who impose “authoritarian, communistic controls” will be attending this event, “claiming to honor the same veterans whose values they are systematically dismantling.”
The Ward 1 councillor said she “proudly displays” the Canadian flag in her office, on her lapel and in her parking space while the rest of council “promote divisive special interests, choosing ideological symbols like the pride flag over the flag that represents us all.”
“This is not just about one invitation; this is about the fundamental values that our veterans fought and died to protect,” she said in long-winded tirade about the “erosion of democracy” in the Pickering council chambers. “I will continue to stand firm, honoring their sacrifice by defending the freedoms they secured and speaking out against those who seek to strip them away.”
“I will not be silenced, and I will never give up.”
Robinson, whose most recent code of conduct was for 90 days – the maximum allowed under the Municipal Act – found herself in hot water earlier this year after an appearance on a far-right podcast where the host published the names, pictures, and personal phone numbers of other Pickering councillors and labelled them as “pedophiles,” “nazis” and “fascists.”
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