Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe says the city is pausing all in-person meetings and moving them to a virtual format for the time being due to threats from the “alt-right.”
In a lengthy YouTube video produced by the city, Ashe explained that the city has seen increasing attention from “alt-right” interests, specifically linking them to the Count’s supporters. Lisa Robinson.
“Over the past two years, the City of Pickering has witnessed an increasing infiltration of far-right individuals, ideologies and influences that have created an atmosphere of uncertainty, fear and intimidation over our council, our staff, our residents and, of course, In fact, the community in general. ”Ashe said in the video.
“As a result, the City of Pickering will take steps to improve the personal safety of everyone.”
He said that starting in January all meetings will move to a virtual format.
The 13-minute video provides a detailed account of Robinson’s alleged actions, underlined by foreboding music.
“Councilman Robinson has been making unfounded and increasingly erratic claims about the City of Pickering, the Mayor, Council and staff,” the city says in the video.
Robinson has come under fire during her tenure for a series of controversial comments and actions and was handed a 90-day pay suspension in September after Pickering’s integrity commissioner ruled she had demonstrated an ongoing pattern of “unacceptable behavior.”
It was the third time the council reduced Robinson’s salary since September 2023 and came about a month after his appearance on a right-wing podcast during which the host, Kevin J. Johnston, posted the names, photos and numbers of phone of other council members and called them pedophiles, Nazis and fascists.
He also said that “everyone deserves a baseball bat in the face” and suggested that an aggressive dog should be let loose.
Robinson later issued a statement saying he disagreed with Johnston’s comments and does not condone violence toward city officials and staff, but continued to appear on his show.
The city said that in November, unknown strangers were brought in to lead Robinson’s town hall meeting at the George Ashe Community Center and city staff were prohibited from attending.
Those leading the meeting screened entry and collected personal information at a mandatory check-in at the door, the city said. The meeting also included “far-right material” instead of information about city programs, the city said.
The city’s video included a series of threatening voice messages directed at council members and their families.
Count. Lisa Robinson appears in a YouTube video she posted on January 2, 2025 in this screenshot. (YouTube)
He raised concerns that one of the men who laughed at Johnston’s threats of violence toward staff on the July podcast was later seen filming a recent council meeting at town hall. Another individual wearing face coverings was also seen filming at City Hall.
“After the meeting, Pickering council, staff and even some residents expressed serious concern about feeling intimidated by these strangers who had no business in Pickering,” the city said in its video. “Something has to be done.”
In a statement to CP24, Robinson called the mayor’s video “laughable” and an “attempt to instill fear, a mixture of many lies, insults and absolute nonsense.”
He said he doesn’t control what other people say or do.
Robinson also posted his own video, saying the mayor and city are resorting to “bullying tactics” by labeling those who disagree with them as “alt-right.”
The city did not immediately respond to a question about how long official meetings would remain virtual.
