Hate-filled podcast lands controversial Pickering councillor in hot seat – again

Controversial Pickering Councillor Lisa Robinson is back in the spotlight again – and again for the wrong reasons – after an appearance on a far-right podcast where the host published the names, pictures, and personal phone numbers of councillors and labelled them as “pedophiles,” “nazis” and “fascists.”

Host Kevin J. Johnston, a notorious anti-vaxxer, wanted fugitive and disgraced mayoral candidate who owes millions of dollars in court-ordered damages for criminal harassment, also stated on the alt-right Rumble video content platform that Pickering’s elected officials “deserve a baseball bat to the face,” suggested that a “vicious and powerful dog” be let loose at council meetings and asked for “70s biker types with big biceps and scarred knuckles” to remove the councillors by force.

“This inflammatory, defamatory, and violent rhetoric is not only reprehensible, but also poses a direct threat to our safety and the safety of our families,” declared a statement jointly signed by Mayor Kevin Ashe and councillors Maurice Brenner, Linda Cook, Mara Nagy, David Pickles, and Shaheen Butt, with the statement claiming that Robinson’s recent appearance on Kevin J. Johnston’s online show is “deeply troubling,” given that Johnston is a notorious figure who has served time in jail, “owes millions of dollars in court-ordered damages to victims of his lies, and is currently a fugitive from Canadian law.”

The platform that hosts the show, the statement added, “is itself infamous for promoting hate speech, misinformation, and extremist views, crossing all boundaries of decency and legality.”

Two years ago Johnston was supposed to appear in a Toronto courthouse for six counts of contempt for racist and Islamophobic attacks against a Mississauga businessman. Instead, he was being arrested by U.S. border control trying to cross the Saskatchewan-Montana border on foot after failing to complete a separate jail sentence in Alberta.

Johnston ran for mayor in Calgary in the last election – earning 1,565 votes – and twice ran for the top job in Mississauga, garnering 16,000 votes in 2018 to finish second behind Bonnie Crombie.

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Alt-right podcaster Kevin J. Johnston

The Councillors said they will be filing a joint complaint to the City’s Integrity Commissioner on Robinson’s appearance and tacit endorsement of Johnston’s views.

“Councillor Robinson’s decision to appear on such a show, fully aware of Johnston’s history and the nature of his platform, is irresponsible, unethical, and dangerous – and in clear violation of the Council Code of Conduct,” the statement read. “Despite Johnston’s claim that his views were his own, Councillor Robinson’s participation and her supportive nodding to Johnston’s comments is an implied endorsement of the vile and dangerous views expressed during the broadcast. This includes the podcast’s attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, the host’s vilification of Black Lives Matter, and the broader spread of hate-filled ideologies that have no place in our community.”

Johnson mocked the physical appearance of council several times during the broadcast, made numerous defamatory statements towards multiple individuals, and used violent language, the councillors stated.

“Instead of refuting or condemning these reprehensible comments, Councillor Robinson often smiled, chuckled or nodded her head in agreement throughout. Her willingness to align herself with such an individual and imply her support of his dangerous views is very alarming.”

Ashe and company said Robinson’s behaviour is “particularly disturbing” in light of a recent story in the media that detailed her courting of far-right extremists. “Despite her public denials, her appearance on this show and her ongoing conduct make it clear that she is aligning herself with ideologies that are diametrically opposed to the values of inclusivity, respect, and dignity that we uphold in Pickering.”

Councillor Robinson has claimed her often inflammatory comments are her ‘giving a voice’ to her constituents, but her council colleagues disagree. “We know this is not true. We listen to our residents, and we know that the overwhelming majority oppose her views.”

The councillors instead claimed Robinson is “exploiting these extreme views in a blatant effort to boost her public profile” and that she consciously chooses to endorse “dangerous and divisive far-right rhetoric.”

Controversial Pickering Councillor Lisa Robinson

Since her election to office, Councillor Robinson has opposed Pride events, denounced Black History Month, questioned the integrity of Durham Police and fostered division within the city, the statement read. “These actions have not only disrupted the business of our municipality but have also created an environment of fear and intimidation, which has been intensified by her participation in this podcast. Over the past year, we have all received volatile and hateful emails and messages from Councillor Robinson’s supporters. Collectively, we have received threats of violence, ranging from assault to even death.”

“We are concerned that Councillor Robinson’s appearance on this extremist’s show will only incite more violent attitudes and behaviours. In addition to our personal safety and well-being, we are also concerned about our families, City staff and various members of our community who have been undeservedly and irresponsibly called out in this video.”

Robinson has been found in violation of the City’s Code of Conduct by the Integrity Commissioner on several occasions – her chaotic tenure has seen her pay docked for 30- and 60-day periods – and she has since been “actively soliciting” donations and funding from far-right sources. While she has acknowledged receiving funding from her ideological supporters there has been “no accounting or disclosure” of the monies she is receiving, the statement noted.

“We are deeply concerned that her acceptance of these funds makes her even more vulnerable to extreme and dangerous influences that could be originating from the U.S. and other jurisdictions outside of Canada.”

The lack of oversight could also potentially invite “influence peddling, bribery, and corruption” and her fellow councillors are asking the Province to close this “glaring loophole” in the Municipal Act and bring in stricter sanctions beyond the suspension of pay.

The councillors plan on making the formal request to Premier Doug Ford and Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Paul Callandra.

Robinson has yet to comment directly on the podcast but has made a series of posts on Rumble in recent days, including one post where she said she was “exposing the truth” behind closed meetings and that she was “ashamed at the level of coercion, bribes and secrets that I witnessed.”

Other posts took aim at Ashe calling Robinson’s supporters “racists.”

Brenner was nearly at a loss for words after seeing the video. “I don’t think there is anything to say about this but disgusting,” he said. “If she doesn’t believe in the violence (Johnston) espoused she had every opportunity to stop the interview.”

“Instead she smiled and condoned it. Enough is enough.”

Brenner added Durham Police is aware of the video and “looking into it” and expressed hope that the entire incident can lead to changes in the Municipal Act to ensure there are “real consequences” for such behaviour going forward.