Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe says the city is pausing all in-person meetings, moving them to a virtual format, for the time being due to “alt-right” threats.
In a lengthy YouTube video produced by the city, Ashe explained that the city has seen growing attention from “alt-right” interests, linking them specifically to supporters of Coun. Lisa Robinson.
“Over the past two years the City of Pickering has witnessed a growing infiltration of alt-right individuals, ideologies and influences that have created an atmosphere of uncertainty, fear and intimidation over our council, our staff, our residents, and indeed the broader community,” Ashe said in the video.
“As a result, the City of Pickering will be undertaking measures to enhance the personal safety and security for all.”
He said that starting in January, all meetings would be moved to a virtual format.
The 13-minute-long video provides a detailed account of alleged actions by Robinson, underscored by foreboding music.
“Councillor Robinson has been making baseless and increasingly erratic claims about the City of Pickering, mayor, council, and staff,” the city says in the video.
Robinson has been under fire throughout her term for a series of controversial remarks and actions and in September she was handed a 90-day pay suspension after Pickering’s integrity commissioner ruled that she had demonstrated a continued pattern of “unacceptable behaviour.”
It was the third time that council docked Robinson’s pay since September, 2023 and came about a month after her appearance on a right-wing podcast during which the host, Kevin J. Johnston, published the names, pictures and phone numbers of other members of council and called them pedophiles, Nazis and fascists.
He also said that “they all deserve a baseball bat to the face” and suggested an aggressive dog should be let loose on them.
Robinson later issued a statement saying she did not agree with Johnston’s remarks and does not condone violence towards city officials and staff, but continued to appear on his show.
The city said that in November, unknown outsiders were brought in to run Robinson’s town hall meeting at the George Ashe Community Centre and city staff were barred from attending.
Those running the meeting controlled entry and collected personal information at a mandatory sign-in at the door, the city said. The meeting also featured “alt-right material” instead of information about city programs, the city said.
The city’s video included a number of threatening voicemails taking aim at councillors and their families.
It raised concern about the fact that one of the men who laughed at Johnston’s threats of violence toward staff in the July podcast was later seen filming a recent council meeting at city hall. Another individual wearing clothing to cover their face was also seen filming at city council.
“After the meeting, Pickering council, staff and even some residents voiced their grave concerns about feeling intimidated by these strangers who had no actual business in Pickering,” the city said in its video. “Something must be done.”
In a statement to CP24, Robinson called the mayor’s video “laughable” and an “attempt at fear-mongering—a mix of many lies, name-calling, and outright nonsense.”
She said she does not control what other people say or do.
Robinson also put out her own video, saying the mayor and city are resorting to “bullying tactics” by labelling those who disagree with them as “alt-right.”
The city did not immediately reply to a request about how long official meetings would remain virtual.