Pickering approves $142 million budget; dissenting councillor alleges threats made to vote yes
Published April 25, 2023 at 9:36 am
Pickering finally gave their official stamp of approval to the 2023 budget Monday night and while the budget passed with very little debate the vote was not without controversy, with Councillor Lisa Robinson accusing a colleague of trying to force her to support the document under a vague threat of “consequences.”
Robinson was the only dissenter as the budget was approved by a 6-1 vote.
Councillor David Pickles, the target of Robinson’s complaint, denied making any threats, veiled or otherwise, and said any “consequences” from not approving the budget would be from not supporting needed programs and services.
Pickering’s budget contains nearly $60 million in capital expenses and an operating budget of $82.2 million. Taxpayers will have to fork over 2.44 per cent more in property taxes; about $160 on a home assessed at $600,000.
With Durham Region’s approved tax increase of $2.87 per cent, Pickering taxpayers will be on the hook for about $330 in extra taxes this year.
Lisa Robinson
Robinson, who was dumped by the Conservative Party as a candidate in the 2021 federal election over alleged homophobic tweets made four years earlier, also declared an upcoming notice of motion regarding drag shows and Pride Nights in Pickering
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