Mayor’s Statement on Council’s Response to Workplace Harassment Findings

Pickering, ON, June 8, 2026 – In 2025, City staff filed a harassment complaint against Councillor Robinson under the City’s Respect in the Workplace Policy, citing an ongoing campaign of bullying, intimidation, and persistent harassing conduct directed at staff that began in 2024.

In keeping with its legal duty to protect employees, the City retained an independent external legal firm, Turnpenney Milne LLP, to investigate. The process involved a comprehensive review of evidence, including emails, letters, meeting recordings, published social media posts, videos recorded and shared by the Councillor, Integrity Commissioner’s reports, and witness evidence. Investigators also assessed the broader pattern, repetition, tone, platform, and foreseeable impact of the Councillor’s public communications in the workplace context, including their effect on psychological safety and the risk of reputational harm directed at staff. Councillor Robinson chose not to participate in the process, despite repeated attempts to engage her.

Following several months of review and analysis, the independent investigator concluded that the allegations were substantiated, finding that the cumulative effect of Councillor Robinson’s statements and actions directed at staff constituted workplace harassment and created a poisoned work environment.

The findings were then referred to an independent municipal law firm to recommend corrective actions to better protect staff while upholding the City’s obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act to provide a harassment-free workplace.

Council has considered the municipal law firm’s recommendations and acted on them. This includes limiting Councillor Robinson’s participation in official Meetings of Council to virtual attendance for the remainder of the term. Council also gave direction to staff to update the City’s indemnification by-law to address adverse conduct toward City employees, and endorsed the administrative restrictions previously put in place to reduce staff exposure to situations that could contravene the Act.

Council takes its legislative obligation to provide a healthy and safe workplace seriously. We fully support our staff and their right to a workplace free from harassment and reprisal. We have the utmost respect and confidence in our employees, who continue to deliver for the community all year round, delivering award-winning events, providing exemplary fire protection services, maintaining our roads and parks, and diligently providing the meaningful programs, services, and facilities that touch the everyday lives of residents.

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As the gateway to the east GTA, Pickering (population 114,000) is strategically located where Toronto, York and Durham Regions meet. An award-winning municipality, and recognized by The Globe and Mail as one of the most liveable cities in Canada for two consecutive years, 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.