Mayor & Council’s Statement on Councillor Robinson’s Rumble Video

Pickering, ON, August 7, 2024 – We, the Mayor and Members of Pickering City Council, are deeply troubled by Councillor Lisa Robinson’s recent appearance on Kevin J. Johnston's online show on Rumble, a far-right video content platform. Johnston is a notorious figure who has served time in jail, owes millions of dollars in court-ordered damages to victims of his lies, and is currently a fugitive from Canadian law, having fled to Panama. The platform that hosts the show is itself infamous for promoting hate speech, misinformation, and extremist views, crossing all boundaries of decency and legality.

During the broadcast, the host published the names, pictures, and personal phone numbers of Council Members, falsely and dangerously labelling us as "pedophiles", “Nazis”, and “Fascists”, explicitly stating that we "deserve a baseball bat to the face”; suggesting that a vicious and powerful dog be let loose at City Council meetings to attack and maim us; and expressing the need for 70s biker types with big biceps and scarred knuckles to remove us by force.  This inflammatory, defamatory, and violent rhetoric is not only reprehensible, but also poses a direct threat to our safety and the safety of our families.

Councillor Robinson’s decision to appear on such a show, fully aware of Johnston's history and the nature of his platform, is irresponsible, unethical, and dangerous – and in clear violation of the Council Code of Conduct. We will be filing a joint complaint to the Integrity Commissioner for this most recent breach. Despite Johnston’s claim that his views were his own, Councillor Robinson’s participation, and her supportive nodding to Johnston’s comments, is an implied endorsement of the vile and dangerous views expressed during the broadcast. This includes the podcast’s attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, the host’s vilification of Black Lives Matter, and the broader spread of hate-filled ideologies that have no place in our community.

Throughout the broadcast, the host mocked the physical appearance of Members of Council, made numerous defamatory statements towards multiple individuals, and used increasingly violent language.  Instead of refuting or condemning these reprehensible comments, Councillor Robinson often smiled, chuckled, or nodded her head in agreement throughout.  Her willingness to align herself with such an individual and imply her support of his dangerous views is very alarming.

This behaviour is particularly disturbing in light of the recent Toronto Star story that detailed Councillor Robinson’s courting of far-right extremists. Despite her public denials, her appearance on this show and her ongoing conduct make it clear that she is aligning herself with ideologies that are diametrically opposed to the values of inclusivity, respect, and dignity that we uphold in Pickering.

Councillor Robinson claims she is merely ‘giving a voice' to her constituents.  We know this is not true. We listen to our residents, and we know that the overwhelming majority oppose her views.  Instead of listening to her constituents, we feel Councillor Robinson is exploiting these extreme views in a blatant effort to boost her public profile. Many of her constituents have denounced her actions, yet she refuses to consider or accept their perspectives, choosing instead to endorse dangerous and divisive far-right rhetoric.

Since her election to office, Councillor Robinson has opposed Pride events, denounced Black History Month, questioned the integrity of Durham Regional Police, and fostered division within our city. 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.

We are concerned that Councillor Robinson’s appearance on this extremist’s show will only incite more violent attitudes and behaviours. In addition to our personal safety and well-being, we are also concerned about our families, City staff, and various members of our community who have been undeservedly and irresponsibly called out in this video.

It is also important to note that Councillor Robinson has previously been found in violation of the City's Code of Conduct by the Integrity Commissioner. As a consequence, her Council pay was docked in an effort to punish and deter such unethical behaviour. However, she has been actively soliciting donations and funding from far-right sources, as demonstrated by her appearance on platforms like Rumble. In this video, she admits to receiving funding from her ideological supporters, but there is no accounting or disclosure of the monies she is receiving.  We are deeply concerned that her acceptance of these funds makes her even more vulnerable to extreme and dangerous influences that could be originating from the U.S. and other jurisdictions outside of Canada.

This situation highlights a fundamental flaw under the Municipal Act. A sitting member of municipal council should not be able to freely solicit and accept money without transparency or accountability. This lack of oversight could potentially invite influence peddling, bribery, and corruption. As Councillor Robinson continues to receive this funding without any disclosure or accountability, we believe the Government of Ontario should take immediate action to close this glaring loophole and amend the Municipal Act to allow for stricter sanctions beyond suspension of pay.  We will be issuing a formal request to Premier Doug Ford and MPP Paul Calandra, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Kevin Ashe, Mayor
Maurice Brenner, Regional Councillor, Ward 1
Linda Cook, Regional Councillor, Ward 2
David Pickles, Regional Councillor, Ward 3
Mara Nagy, City Councillor, Ward 2
Shaheen Butt, City Councillor, Ward 3

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As the gateway to the east GTA, Pickering (population 105,000) is strategically located where Toronto, York and Durham Regions meet. An award-winning municipality, Pickering is slated for significant economic and residential growth; offering an unparalleled quality of life for those who live, work, and play here. Its dynamic City Centre has been designated by the Province of Ontario as both an Urban Growth Centre and Mobility Hub, and continues to evolve as a preferred destination for creative learning, memorable events, and unique experiences at the heart of a vibrant, connected, and engaged community.