KINGSTON – A long-serving city councillor is facing backlash for “threatening” messages sent to a landowner in the west end earlier this year.
In March, Collins-Bayridge District Coun. Lisa Osanic, who is campaigning for her fifth term on city council in the upcoming election, was advocating against the removal of woodlots on property located on the south side of Taylor-Kidd Boulevard.
She sent a letter to farmer Michael Robinson, who had cleared the land for agricultural use.
In her correspondence, Osanic urged Robinson not to cut down any of the woodlots north of Taylor-Kidd Boulevard.
“Can your family please show mercy to the wildlife who have been depending on your significant woodlands for their existence?” Osanic wrote.
“Residents have been calling me non-stop since your tree cutting started. I am telling them your family has the agricultural exemption under the tree bylaw. People are saying that they had better see that you plant a lot of crops on your new cleared land for the next few decades to warrant having cut down significant woodlands.”
We took that as a threat
Michael Robinson Kingston farmer
However, it was what Osanic included with her letter that really troubled Robinson and his family.
Attached to the letter was an from a newspaper about estate planning along with a handwritten note saying “How do you want your dad to be remembered? (even though the land is in your sister’s name.) Karma.”
“We took that as a threat,” Michael Robinson said regarding Osanic’s communication.
“It doesn’t even matter whether it was a threat or not a threat. It’s so over-the-top inappropriate.”
Osanic’s letter arrived at a difficult time for the family.
Robinson’s mother, Irene, passed away the previous June and then in September, his father, Bernie, suffered from a stroke. In 2025, there was also an incident where their home was broken into and someone threatened to set it on fire.
“It’s been a rough year for our family,” Michael Robinson shared.
When asked about her letter, Osanic chose not to respond.
“No, I’m not speaking about it,” she wrote in an email to the Whig-Standard.
Michael Robinson mentioned he filed a complaint regarding Osanic’s letter with the integrity commissioner but they opted not to investigate further.
In response to inquiries from Whig-Standard, city officials stated they couldn’t comment on why no investigation took place by the integrity commissioner.
“The integrity commissioner operates independently of city staff and council. City staff have no role in the integrity commissioner’s complaint or investigation process and are not privy to details of complaints or investigations,” stated officials from the city.
Michael Robinson expressed his intent to appeal this decision made by the integrity commissioner and questioned Osanic’s judgment overall.
“As far as I’m concerned, we should expect accountability from those we elect,” Michael Robinson said. “Is this really who you want representing you?”
The removal of woodlots became quite controversial and led to protests both roadside and during council meetings.
Referred to as Square Mile Forest, this 40-hectare area used to be popular for walking trails.
Nonetheless, clearcutting fell within farmers’ rights regarding their own land usage needs.
“There have been two stewards here for 140 years,” remarked Bernie Robinson. “The previous farmer worked this land for 80 years before we bought it; it was fully operational farming when we acquired it and we’ve continued using best practices over these past 60 years.”
“How could anyone not understand that this is legitimate farming?” p >
“We’re multi-generational farmers. I get that might be hard for others outside our community,” added Michael Robinson.
Elliot Ferguson began his journalism career decades ago delivering newspapers in his hometown. He graduated from Carleton University’s journalism program as well as Loyalist College’s photojournalism program; Ferguson’s work has earned provincial and national awards throughout his career. Currently serving as The Whig’s municipal affairs reporter , Ferguson ’s true passion lies in photojournalism and visual storytelling. p>elferguson
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