3rd January 2025: Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe has decided to hold all city council meetings online this year due to security threats linked to supporters of one councillor. He made the announcement in a video on December 30, 2024, highlighting incidents involving Coun. Lisa Robinson and showing threats received by councillors.
Pickering, with a population of about 100,000, will now livestream council meetings for residents. Some worry this will reduce democratic engagement, even though virtual participation is allowed.
Ashe explained that the decision was made to protect councillors and staff, not to silence Robinson. He stressed that the council chamber should be a place for respectful discussion but is currently unsafe.
In September, Robinson was suspended for 90 days by the city’s integrity commissioner for a pattern of unacceptable behavior. Prior to that, she appeared on a podcast where violent comments were made about council members.
