Pickering Councillor Lisa Robinson, already sanctioned eight times during her lone term in office for code of conduct violations, has been restricted to virtual attendance at council meetings for the remainder of the term following a harassment complaint from city staff.
City staff filed the complaint against Robinson in 2025, citing an ongoing campaign of bullying, intimidation, and persistent harassing conduct that began in 2024 and created what investigators later described as a poisoned work environment at Pickering City Hall.
The City of Pickering retained an independent external legal firm, Turnpenney Milne LLP, to investigate the allegations. The investigation involved a comprehensive review of evidence including emails, letters, meeting recordings, published social media posts, videos recorded and shared by Robinson, previous Integrity Commissioner reports, and witness evidence from multiple staff members.
A statement from Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe said the investigators also assessed the broader pattern, repetition, tone, platform, and foreseeable impact of the councillor’s public communications in the workplace context. This included examining the effect on psychological safety and the risk of reputational harm directed at city employees.
Robinson chose not to participate in the investigation process, despite repeated attempts by the legal firm to engage her, according to the mayor’s statement.
The investigation took several months to complete and ultimately determined that the allegations were substantiated. The report found that the cumulative effect of Robinson’s statements and actions directed at staff constituted workplace harassment and had created a poisoned work environment at the city.
Following the investigation, the findings were referred to Toronto law firm Aird and Berlis to recommend corrective actions aimed at better protecting staff while upholding the city’s obligations to provide a harassment-free workplace for all employees.
Council approved the decision to limit Robinson’s participation in official meetings to virtual attendance for the remainder of the term at a special in-camera meeting on Monday. Staff were also given direction to update the city’s indemnification by-law to address adverse conduct toward city employees.
Mayor Ashe emphasized that council takes its legislative obligation to provide a healthy and safe workplace seriously. In his statement, he expressed full support for city staff and their right to a workplace free from harassment and reprisal, praising employees who continue to deliver for the community all year round.
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, Ashe said.
Robinson did not respond to requests for comment on the investigation findings or the council decision.
The restriction marks the latest chapter in a turbulent term for the Pickering councillor, who has faced repeated sanctions for code of conduct violations since taking office. The decision to limit a sitting councillor to virtual attendance is an unusual step that underscores the severity of the workplace harassment findings and the city’s commitment to protecting its employees.
