Inside Pickering’s City Hall Where Truth Is Silenced and Corruption Is Protected

Inside Pickering’s City Hall Where Truth Is Silenced and Corruption Is Protected By Councillor Lisa Robinson Democracy doesn’t die overnight. It dies slowly — through silence, coverups, and backroom politics. And in Pickering, it’s dying behind closed doors. Over the past year, I’ve brought forward numerous motions reflecting the concerns of everyday residents — motions about safety, fairness, fiscal responsibility, and respect for Canadian values. And nearly every single time, they were blocked, ignored, or buried. Not because the motions were wrong — but because they were inconvenient. This council doesn’t want uncomfortable questions. They want control. And they’re willing to rewrite the rules to keep it. Let me be clear: what’s happening inside Pickering’s City Hall is not democratic — it’s draconian. We’ve seen the bylaw amendments. The procedural games. The scripted meetings. The selective enforcement of rules designed to silence residents and dissenting councillors. Public comments are cut off. Delegations are shut down. Meetings are moved online without public input. And when people do speak up, they’re branded as “alt right”,“dangerous.” or they are character assassinated. This council — led by Mayor Kevin Ashe and backed by insiders like Brenner, Cook, Nagy, Pickles, and Butt — has used every tool at their disposal to suppress public voices and punish those who don’t fall in line. Meanwhile, city employees who mislead council or the public are protected, not reprimanded. Whistleblowers are ignored. Those who speak inconvenient truths are targeted. I’ve brought forward motions to: (Only to name a few) · Play the national anthem before council meetings · End corporate gifts and perks to councillors · Restrict sexually explicit performances from allowing minors · Ensure flags flown on public buildings represent all Canadians equally · Increase safety options in public changerooms · Pause development deals that lacked transparency · Require cameras to stay on during virtual meetings · Improve public consultation boundaries · Repeal the “climate emergency” declaration · Establish a department of government efficiency · Restore respect for Canadian tradition and neutral governance How many were refused a seconder? Too many to count. But Mayor Ashe himself has said it outright — it’s not the message, it’s “the messenger.” He stated he doesn’t want to hear from me. He’s biased, and he’s admitted it. And it shows — in the attacks, the games, and the complaints. Let’s talk about those complaints. Every single Integrity Commissioner complaint that’s gone forward against me has come from: · The Mayor · Members of Council · The Corporation of the City of Pickering · The CAO · Or even Mayor Ashe’s own family The only exception? A Facebook post — where three drinking buddies filed a complaint based on lies. What the public doesn’t know (yet) is that a sitting councillor was involved behind the scenes — encouraging it, fueling it, and waiting for the fallout. That’s not integrity. That’s political warfare. They know they can’t beat me with facts — so they hide behind procedure and weaponize process. They fear the truth I speak, because it shines a light on what they’ve built: a city hall run by insiders, for insiders. I’ve lost nine months of pay standing up for you. But I haven’t lost my voice — and I haven’t lost my resolve. I am Councillor Lisa Robinson — your People’s Councillor. I will keep standing, even when I’m standing alone. Because when they silence me, they’re trying to silence you. And I won’t let that happen. Not now. Not ever.