The City of Pickering announced thar the Superior Court of Justice Ontario Divisional Court on Friday ruled in favour of the city, confirming the sanctions imposed on Councillor Lisa Robinson.
Councillor Robinson and City Council have been at loggerheads for some time now (see below) trading charges and counter-charges.
The city said the latest ruling marks the third judicial review initiated by the councillor, requiring the city to defend the Integrity Commissioner’s findings and its own council decision(s) on three separate occasions.
The city said in its latest ruling, the court found:
- No breach of procedural fairness,
- Determined that the Integrity Commissioner’s factual findings were reasonable – including the findings that Councillor Robinson made false claims about the city and deliberately misrepresented city policy, and
- Concluded that the city’s obligation to protect staff dignity and maintain public trust outweighed any limit on the councillor’s charter rights.
“As a result of Councillor Robinson’s decision to pursue yet another judicial review, the Divisional Court has ordered her to reimburse the City of Pickering $10,000 in legal costs. While the city views this decision as a significant legal victory that fully affirms its actions and approach, the reimbursement covers only a portion of the expenses incurred, and the city remains responsible for well over a $100,000 in legal costs stemming from the councillor’s repeated legal challenges,” said the city.
“While I am pleased with this legal victory, which serves as a complete and thorough vindication of the city, members of council, and our staff, I sincerely hope we can now move forward with the business of the city,” said Mayor Kevin Ashe. “Moving ahead constructively is in everyone’s best interest. Our community deserves our full focus on the important work before us, and that is where we intend to direct our collective efforts.”
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