Pickering Councillor Lisa Robinson on Parliament Hill in August
The hammer seems to be coming down – once more – on Pickering Councillor Lisa Robinson, with a report recommending a 90-day suspension of pay for her newest tirade being introduced at Monday’s council assembly.
The all the time controversial Robinson, who has been suspended 3 times already in her tumultuous first time period, is in sizzling water as soon as once more for her feedback made on an alt-right podcast in October calling for the dismissal of Pickering CAO Marisa Carpino as a result of “the corruption’s at the top.”
(Carpino shall be honoured on the identical council Monday for being named CAO of the Yr by Municipal World journal.)
Since her election to workplace, Robinson has opposed Delight occasions, denounced Black Historical past Month, questioned the integrity of Durham Police and customarily fostered division throughout the metropolis. She has been present in violation of the Metropolis’s Code of Conduct by the Integrity Commissioner on a number of events and her chaotic tenure has seen her pay docked for 30-, -60 and 90-day intervals – the latter being the utmost penalty allowed underneath the Municipal Act.
Her feedback on the ‘Truth Trumpet’ on the Rumble video platforms two months in the past is a breach of the Code of Conduct, in keeping with the report from Rules Integrity, the town’s Integrity Commissioner, with co-principal Jeff Abrams anticipated to ship his report in individual Monday.
Abrams is asking for a 90-day suspension of pay, which might be Robinson’s second 90-day penalty in three months.
Robinson, when requested on the podcast how she would “stop the corruption” in Pickering, stated 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 stated. “Get rid of the City Solicitor, get rid of a bunch of the directors, especially the ones who were in cahoots …”
Robinson additionally hinted on the podcast she may take a run at Pickering Kevin Ashe’s job within the subsequent municipal election.
Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe
Abrams stated in his report Robinson’s feedback represent a breach of her obligations underneath 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 didn’t deny her assertion and as an alternative argued they didn’t represent a breach primarily based on the liberty of expression provisions of the Constitution of Rights and Freedoms.
Abrams, nevertheless, famous that freedom of expression just isn’t unrestricted – citing legal guidelines towards defamation – and stated Robinson “voluntarily” accepted her obligations underneath 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 present a mea culpa on the matter however the Integrity Commissioner stated it didn’t represent 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 stated within the report he and co-principal Janice Attwood-Petkovski imagine a “significant change in behaviour” is important to make Robinson conscious 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 not too long ago within the highlight in August after an look on one other far-right podcast the place the host printed the names, footage, and private cellphone numbers of councillors and labelled them as “pedophiles,” “nazis” and “fascists.”
Host Kevin J. Johnston, a infamous anti-vaxxer and needed fugitive, said on the Rumble video content material platform that Pickering’s elected officers “deserve a baseball bat to the face,” recommended {that a} “vicious and powerful dog” be let free at council conferences and requested for “70s biker types with big biceps and scarred knuckles” to take away the councillors by pressure.
The report from the Integrity Commissioner on Robinson’s look on the present famous the councillor “often smiled, chuckled or nodded her head in agreement” as an alternative of “refuting or condemning these reprehensible comments.”
Robinson was slapped with a 90-day penalty for that incident.
The councillor’s latest posts on social media have continued her assaults 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
Financial penalties – which don’t preclude the offending councillor from attending and collaborating council conferences – are the strongest deterrent allowed underneath the Municipal Act, although the provincial authorities launched laws this week that might enable municipal councillors to be faraway from workplace and “disqualified from running again.”
Municipalities, with Pickering amongst them, have been calling for up to date codes of conduct to handle office harassment, in addition to stricter penalties for individuals who violate the principles, together with removing from workplace.
Municipal Affairs Minister Paul Calandra, who launched the laws, stated that removing and disqualification might solely occur if the municipal integrity commissioner recommends it, if Ontario’s integrity commissioner agrees and if councillors aside from the member in query unanimously conform to it in a vote.
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