Pickering’s mayor is calling on a contentious city councillor to apologize as the public war between the two rages on.
On Tuesday, Councillor Lisa Robinson published a video entitled “Mayor Ashe’s power grab: silencing a female councillor to consolidate control,” where she calls out Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Marisa Carpino for conspiring to enact further punitive measures against her.
These measures, according to Robinson’s video, include amending council’s communications and compensation policy to exclude councillors currently on suspension.
“Mayor Ashe is now proposing to strip me of my ability to serve the people of Pickering by amending our council compensation and communication budget by eliminating the entitlement to a car allowance for any councillor on a paid suspension sanction,” she said in her video.
“Also to eliminate reimbursement for my work phone, internet, security system and other expenses, and to eliminate a council member to attend a conference, workshop, or business development trip during the paid suspension period.”
Robinson was handed a 90-day unpaid suspension in September, sanctioned for behaviour deemed unacceptable by the city’s integrity commissioner. It was her third such suspension since being elected in 2022.
Her video also took aim at the city’s CAO, whom she accuses of threatening to bar access to her own office to make videos, and restrict her ability to host community events.
“This is nothing but a disgusting display of vindictiveness and harassment and intimidation by Mayor Ashe, and it’s bordering extortion from the CAO and the city of Pickering,” Robinson continued in the video.
“It is a calculated, colluded attempt to silence me, and strip me of my ability to serve the people of Pickering.”
Robinson faced scrutiny over the past year for controversial statements and stances — most notably appearing on podcasts hosted by far-right gadfly and convicted hate peddler Kevin J. Johnston.
Late last month, Ashe announced Pickering would cease holding public council meetings over threats against council made by supporters of Robinson, citing threatening phone calls, voicemail messages and emails.
Tuesday’s video was followed by a letter from Ashe accusing Robinson of making “unfounded and inappropriate remarks” about Carpino’s character and intentions.
“We wish to reaffirm our unwavering confidence in, and full support of, Ms. Carpino,” Ashe wrote in the letter, also signed by the rest of Pickering council.
“This confidence extends to the City’s Senior Leadership Team and all the dedicated employees of the City of Pickering. Together, they have consistently demonstrated their commitment to the highest standards of public service.”
The letter urges Robinson to retract her comments and apologize to Carpino and city staff.
“Such actions would reflect the principles of accountability and respect that are essential in public office,” the letter read.
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