The mayor of Pickering and a number of other metropolis council members need the province to legislate stricter sanctions for the conduct of municipal officers after a councillor appeared on a controversial podcast the place the host labelled her colleagues pedophiles, Nazis and fascists.
Coun. Lisa Robinson was a visitor on a July 30 episode of “Reside with Kevin J. Johnston” – a podcast hosted by Johnston, who has repeatedly displayed racist behaviour lately and beforehand pleaded responsible to a hate crime in Ontario in reference to anti-Muslim posts he shared on-line.
In an announcement issued this week, Pickering’s mayor and councillors referred to as Johnston an “extremist” podcaster, saying the episode attacked the 2SLGBTQ+ group and vilified the Black Lives Matter motion.
Mayor Kevin Ashe mentioned Robinson’s participation was each irresponsible and unethical. He mentioned it is the ultimate straw in an escalating sample of behaviour she has displayed this 12 months.
“It is wholly and grossly inappropriate behaviour, which ought to finish now,” he mentioned.
In an interview with CBC Toronto, Robinson mentioned she doesn’t condone what Johnston mentioned in a ‘hateful method.’ She refused to say whether or not she thinks the mayor and her fellow councillors are pedophiles. (The Kevin J. Johnston Present)
Throughout the podcast, Johnston repeatedly flashed images of the mayor and different councillors alongside their contact info, subsequent to a rainbow flag and a heading studying: “Pickering pedophile profile.” He additionally mocked their bodily appearances in nice element.
At one level, Johnston recommended a violent canine be let unfastened on metropolis council, alongside a declare that “70s biker varieties with the large biceps … [and] knuckles that had scar-tissue” ought to take away the mayor and metropolis councillors by power.
Robinson didn’t take part on these feedback, however continued talking with Johnston with out countering his remarks. On a video recording, she will typically be seen smiling, laughing and nodding as Johnston speaks.
“I need not sit there and critique anyone else’s opinion,” Robinson informed CBC Toronto in an interview.
Councillor says she would not condone host’s feedback
Robinson went on to say she doesn’t condone what Johnston mentioned in a “hateful method” — and mentioned that her colleagues have a historical past of creating “vicious assaults” on their opponents — one thing the councillors deny.
“All of the councillors are getting a style of their very own drugs,” she mentioned. “Any person’s truly calling them out.”
That “anyone” has a historical past of legal convictions and civil judgments which have gone towards him.
In 2019, Johnston was ordered by a choose to pay $2.5 million towards a restaurant chain proprietor for what the choose described as ‘a loathsome instance of hate speech at its worst.’ ( Ontario Chronicle)
In 2019, Johnston was ordered by a choose to pay $2.5 million towards a restaurant chain proprietor for what the choose described as “a loathsome instance of hate speech at its worst.”
He additionally pleaded responsible to legal harassment of an Alberta Well being Providers inspector in July 2021. Two months later, he pleaded responsible to a hate crime in Ontario.
Johnston informed CBC Toronto he doesn’t take into account himself to be an extremist, racist or far-right, and doesn’t advocate violence.
Within the wake of the podcast’s launch, a number of councillors informed CBC Toronto they’re contemplating authorized motion. Johnston mentioned he’s financially ready to cope with any lawsuits.
Johnston, who had a failed mayoral run in Calgary in 2021 and now lives in Panama, additionally mentioned he cannot say whether or not Robinson agreed with every little thing he mentioned on the podcast.
“However I do suppose she loved herself,” he mentioned.
WATCH | Mayor condemns councillor’s appearence on podcast: 
Pickering mayor condemns councillor’s look on podcast
WARNING: This video comprises graphic language. The mayor of Pickering and 5 metropolis councillors have signed a letter to Premier Doug Ford calling for the province to introduce more durable punishments for councillors violating codes of conduct. As CBC’s Chris Glover studies, the newest push comes after Pickering councillor Lisa Robinson made an look on a podcast the place vitriolic language was used towards her fellow councillors. The allegations made by Johnston weren’t substantiated and the councillors are contemplating authorized motion.
On Thursday, Ashe and the remainder of the town council despatched a letter to Premier Doug Ford and Municipal Affairs Minister Paul Calandra, asking them to amend the Municipal Act in order that councillors can face punishments stricter than pay docking once they violate codes of conduct — together with potential removing from workplace.
In an announcement, Bianca Meta, Calandra’s press secretary, mentioned the federal government is exploring choices to strengthen the municipal code of conduct framework.
She mentioned there are ongoing consultations with municipalities, the provincial integrity commissioner and the workplace of the lawyer normal to chart a path ahead.
“Our authorities believes within the native democratic course of, and we belief voters to carry native politicians accountable on the poll field,” she mentioned.
Robinson sanctioned twice by integrity commisioner
This isn’t Robinson’s first brush with controversy. In October, she was sanctioned and docked 60 days’ pay after the town’s integrity commissioner discovered her actions promoted transphobic and homophobic views.
The councillor had put ahead three motions that might eradicate gender-neutral change rooms, block Delight flags from metropolis buildings and add an 18-plus age restriction to story instances hosted by drag queens.
Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe mentioned Robinson’s participation within the podcast was irresponsible and unethical. He and the remainder of metropolis council despatched a letter to Premier Doug Ford on Thursday, asking the province to legislate stricter sanctions for councillors. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)
This sanction elevated Robinson’s profile, turning her right into a “darling of the alt-right,” Coun. Mara Nagy mentioned.
Robinson, in the meantime, informed CBC Toronto it is a lie that she courts far-right extremists.
In September, Robinson acquired a 30-day pay sanction after the integrity commissioner discovered she had made a Fb submit that was bullying and intimidating, based on the commissioner’s report.
Robinson was elected to metropolis council in 2022 after she was dropped as a federal Conservative candidate the earlier 12 months over previous Islamophobic tweets.
At one level throughout the podcast, Johnston reveals {a photograph} of Coun. Shaheen Butt.
“He is a Muslim … His e book says that if a person is a gay, you have to mild them on fireplace, behead them, or throw them off a cliff. And he is voting for this radical, LGBTQ, perversion stuff,” Johnson says.
Robinson replies: “I assumed I might have an ally with him once I was attempting to carry my three motions ahead, however undoubtedly not.”
Coun. Robinson beforehand denounced Delight Month and Black Historical past Month.
Council apprehensive about extra harassment after podcast
Over the previous 12 months, councillors say they have been harassed by Robinson’s supporters.
“Usually, when [Robinson] goes on these alt-right podcasts, and it is not the primary time, the rhetoric on social media gears up,” Ashe mentioned.
They mentioned they’re involved her current podcast look could make issues worse, each for them and their households.
After Robinson was sanctioned by an impartial integrity commissioner in October for selling transphobic and homophobic views, she turned a ‘darling of the alt-right,’ Coun. Mara Nagy mentioned. Robinson informed CBC Toronto she doesn’t court docket far proper extremists. ( Ontario Chronicle)
Based on the councillors, Robinson’s supporters frequently journey to council conferences from out of city, typically disrupting proceedings. A couple of supporter has been arrested, Nagy mentioned.
CBC Toronto has reached out to Durham police about arrests at metropolis council.
As effectively, a number of councillors say they have been adopted dwelling. Each Nagy and Coun. Linda Prepare dinner mentioned they’ve acquired loss of life threats. Robinson mentioned these harassment allegations are an try by councillors to distract from their very own “egregious behaviour.”
In current months, the council adopted heightened safety measures, at taxpayers’ expense.
Paid obligation officers at the moment are current at each council conferences, Mayor Ashe mentioned. Council members at the moment are allowed safety methods at their houses, paid for by their metropolis.
Integrity commissioner investigations into Robinson’s conduct are additionally costly, he mentioned.
“Now we have incurred appreciable prices due to the actions of councillor Robinson,” he mentioned.
Within the aftermath of the episode, Prepare dinner mentioned there isn’t any actual clear path as to how Pickering council can perform correctly and return to addressing municipal points.
“This distraction just isn’t serving our group,” she mentioned.
