The City of Pickering welcomes a decision of the Divisional Court that fully supports how the City of Pickering and its Integrity Commissioner handled two significant code of conduct complaints involving Councillor Lisa Robinson.
The Court confirmed that the City acted fairly and reasonably when it followed the Commissioner’s recommendations and decided to suspend Councillor Robinson’s pay in two separate cases.
In its ruling related to Judicial Review applications (Court File Nos. DC-23-1427-00JR and DC-23-1440-00JR), the Divisional Court upheld the Integrity Commissioner’s findings and City Council’s decisions to suspend Councillor Robinson’s pay for 30 days (September, 2023) and 60 days (October, 2023), determining that both actions were lawful. Her applications for judicial review were dismissed.
Additional findings by the Court included:
- Refusal to grant a motion seeking to add allegations of bias against the Mayor
- Rejection of all bias allegations brought forward by the applicant
- Affirmation that the Integrity Commissioner’s recommendations and the City’s sanctions represent a reasonable and proportionate limit on freedom of expression
As a direct result of Councillor Robinson’s decision to challenge the sanctions through a Judicial Review, and given the complexity of the case, the Divisional Court ordered her to reimburse the City of Pickering for $30,000 in legal costs it incurred in defending the matter.
This court decision is a resounding legal win that fully validates the City of Pickering’s actions and approach on this matter.
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Rebuttal from Councillor Robinson
Pickering Declares “Victory” — While Hiding the Truth: Council Moves to Strip Pay Based on a Lie
The City of Pickering has publicly declared a “major legal victory” in its conflict with Ward 1 Councillor Lisa Robinson. However, the truth is this: the Divisional Court did not make any findings on the merits of her case. It did not consider a single piece of evidence. The court dismissed her judicial review application solely on procedural grounds – stating that internal remedies, such as requesting Council reconsideration, had not been exhausted.
To be clear:
- Yes, the case was dismissed.
- No, the Court did not rule on whether Councillor Robinson was right or wrong.
- No, the Court did not evaluate the truthfulness of the Integrity Commissioner’s findings.
- No, the Court reviewed none of the evidence, documentation, or rebuttals Councillor Robinson submitted.
Despite these facts, the City has issued a misleading press release implying that its conduct was legally vindicated. In reality, the decision rested entirely on a technicality — not on the facts or merits of the matter. The City’s statement is not a legal triumph; it is a strategic manipulation of public perception.
Tonight, Council is scheduled to vote on yet another Integrity Commissioner recommendation to suspend Councillor Robinson’s pay for an additional 90 days. If passed, this would bring the total time she has served without compensation to one full year. To date, she has served nine months without pay — all while continuing to fulfill her duties as an elected official and single mother.
The current Integrity Commissioner report falsely states that Councillor Robinson did not submit a response. In fact, she submitted a full, documented rebuttal via two emails on June 6, 2025. When asked to delay or remove the item from the agenda in order to correct the record, the Integrity Commissioner refused. Council is now proceeding with the vote despite being fully aware that the report is factually inaccurate and procedurally flawed.
This is not accountability. This is political punishment. And it is being orchestrated by the two most powerful figures at City Hall: Mayor Kevin Ashe and Chief Administrative Officer Marisa Carpino. Nearly all complaints leading to sanctions against Councillor Robinson have come from them. It is an abuse of office, plain and simple.
Integrity Commissioner: possible conflict of interest
The City’s Integrity Commissioner, “Principles Integrity,” is a paid contractor whose actions have raised serious concerns. This Commissioner ignored the June 6 response, excluded evidence, and submitted an incomplete report to Council — all while being financially compensated by the same City officials involved in filing the complaints. This is not independent oversight. It is a taxpayer-funded enforcement mechanism used to silence dissent.
Mayor Ashe has openly stated, on the public record, that he is biased against Councillor Robinson. He has also stated that he “doesn’t want to hear anything she has to say” and that “she hasn’t learned her lesson.” These are not the words of a neutral head of Council — they are admissions of political hostility and a clear abuse of power.
If Council approves tonight’s recommendation, it will confirm that Pickering’s local government is willing to strip an elected official of her pay for an entire year based on false reports, manipulated procedures, and internal political agendas.
This is not governance. This is not democracy.
It is political retaliation. It is systemic abuse. And it must be investigated.
If this can happen to a sitting councillor for telling the truth, what will they do to residents who dare to speak up?
Councillor Robinson urges the public, media, and higher levels of government to hold the City of Pickering accountable and to oppose the continued erosion of democracy under the pretext of process.
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