A Pickering councillor below hearth for her look on an alt-right podcast the place the host labelled her fellow councillors as “pedophiles” and beneficial violence in opposition to them has distanced herself from the feedback.
Throughout a video convention the day after the podcast, Councillor Lisa Robinson referred to as the reactions from her colleagues “dramatics” and the result “karma.”
“I do not advocate anything Mr. Johnston said in a hateful manner that advocates violence against my fellow councillors,” Lisa Robinson mentioned of her look on a podcast hosted by infamous anti-vaxxer and wished fugitive Kevin J. Johnston. “I want to make it perfectly clear that I reject and disassociate myself from such rhetoric.”
Lisa Robinson
Johnston, a former mayoralty candidate in Mississauga and Calgary who owes tens of millions of {dollars} in court-ordered damages for prison harassment, mentioned on the far-right Rumble video content material platform that Pickering’s elected officers “deserve a baseball bat to the face,” prompt {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.
Mayor Kevin Ashe and councillors Maurice Brenner, Linda Cook dinner, Mara Nagy, David Pickles, and Shaheen Butt mentioned in a joint assertion they are going to be submitting a criticism to the Metropolis’s Integrity Commissioner on Robinson’s look and tacit endorsement of Johnston’s views on a present they are saying is “infamous for promoting hate speech, misinformation, and extremist views, crossing all boundaries of decency and legality.”
“Instead of refuting or condemning these reprehensible comments, Councillor Robinson often smiled, chuckled or nodded her head in agreement throughout,” the assertion learn. “Her willingness to align herself with such an individual and imply her support of his dangerous views is very alarming.”
Robinson, nonetheless, mentioned Johnston’s feedback are not any totally different than the therapy she has obtained from her colleagues, claiming she has suffered “sexual, psychological and workplace violence” throughout her single time period on council.
“Don’t dish it out if you can’t take it,” Robinson mentioned whereas claiming there may be “video evidence” of a menace of bodily violence (with a sword) from Brenner. “This council is squirming because they’re getting a taste of their own medicine.”
Maurice Brenner
Robinson repeated that she “stands against” Johnston’s “extreme views” however famous the mayor and his councillors “have no problem when it’s directed at me.”
“Their selective outrage and double standards only reveal their hypocrisy. They can’t have it both ways.”
Since her election to workplace, Robinson has opposed Pleasure occasions, denounced Black Historical past Month, questioned the integrity of Durham Police, and fostered division inside the metropolis, in accordance with the assertion from Ashe and the 5 councillors.
“These actions have not only disrupted the business of our municipality but have also created an environment of fear and intimidation, which has been intensified by her participation in this podcast. Over the past year, we have all received volatile and hateful emails and messages from Councillor Robinson’s supporters. Collectively, we have received threats of violence, ranging from assault to even death,” the assertion mentioned.
Robinson has been present in violation of the Metropolis’s Code of Conduct by the Integrity Commissioner on a number of events – her chaotic tenure has seen her pay docked for 30- and 60-day durations – and claims her therapy is a part of a scheme by her fellow councillors to label anybody who doesn’t agree with their agenda as “extremist, racist and nazis.”
“Now, when someone else throws similar accusations, they cry foul. It’s the height of hypocrisy.”
Robinson’s colleagues are additionally involved about her “actively soliciting” donations and funding from far-right sources with none oversight – which may probably invite “influence peddling, bribery, and corruption,” they are saying and are asking the Province to shut this “glaring loophole” within the Municipal Act and herald “stricter sanctions” past the suspension of pay.
The councillors plan on making the formal request to Premier Doug Ford and Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Paul Callandra.
Robinson referred to as it a “blatant attempt” to stifle opposition and “genuine debate” on the council flooring and believes most Pickering residents help her views – an announcement rejected by Ashe and his councillors.
“We know this is not true. We listen to our residents, and we know that the overwhelming majority oppose her views.”
Robinson took a distinct tack throughout her video convention (additionally on the Rumble platform).
“My fellow councillors are terrified of the truth coming out.”
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