Lisa Robinson judicial review proceedings returned to court as the Pickering councillor once again challenged sanctions imposed by city council following an integrity commissioner investigation.
Ward 1 Coun. Lisa Robinson appeared before a panel of three judges on Jan. 19, seeking a judicial review of a 90-day salary suspension imposed by Pickering council last June. The suspension marked the fifth sanction against Robinson and stemmed from a town hall meeting she held in November 2024.
The hearing took place just eight months after a previous judicial review request by Robinson was dismissed. Following the June suspension, Robinson received three additional sanctions.
Robinson represented herself in court, while the City of Pickering and Principles Integrity were represented by legal counsel. Court submissions stated that Pickering Chief Administrative Officer Marisa Carpino filed the complaint against Robinson, alleging that four statements made by the councillor were untrue and that attendees at the town hall were asked to provide personal information.
Principles Integrity investigated the complaint and recommended the salary suspension, which was approved by council.
Robinson is asking the court to suspend council’s decision until the judicial review and appeal process is complete. She also requested immunity from future disciplinary actions related to both current and past sanctions, as well as compensation for legal costs.
In written submissions, Robinson argued the sanctions were imposed in a “procedurally unfair and biased manner,” claiming she was denied the opportunity to respond to evidence or participate in meaningful deliberations. She also alleged bias by city leadership, noting that complaints since 2024 were filed by the CAO and Mayor Kevin Ashe.
Robinson told the court the sanctions have caused financial and personal hardship, stating she is struggling to support her family and has sought mental health care due to stress related to the repeated disciplinary actions.
Submissions from the city and Principles Integrity disputed Robinson’s claims, stating she was provided opportunities to respond and that portions of her evidence were inadmissible or unrelated to the matter under review. They also argued there is no legal basis to grant immunity from future sanctions, as the council code of conduct applies to all councillors.
In a previous ruling released last May, the Ontario Divisional Court dismissed Robinson’s compensation request and ordered her to pay $30,000 in legal costs to the city.
No date has been set for the panel’s decision. In Robinson’s previous case, the court took eight months to release its ruling.
