Mayor’s Recap Left This Out — Here’s What He Didn’t Want You to Know!

Summary

In a candid and unfiltered council meeting review, Counselor Lisa Robinson criticizes the city's leadership, highlighting a series of controversial decisions. She calls out a 2.8% annual property tax hike, electronic voting plans despite security concerns, and a flawed climate plan. Robinson also critiques the prioritization of vanity projects over essential infrastructure repairs and challenges the centralization of power through fire department bylaws and other policies. Meanwhile, Mayor Kevin Ash provides a more positive update, emphasizing waterfront improvements, infrastructure investment, and social initiatives like anti-black racism efforts, while touting upcoming events such as Ribfest.

Takeaways

• 😀 Council voted to implement a guaranteed 2.8% property tax hike every year for the next decade, with no public input or guarantees on how the funds will be used.
• 😀 Council approved internet voting for the 2026 election despite evidence of electronic voting system failures, including incorrect results and voter lockouts.
• 😀 A climate plan was passed based on a discredited emissions model (RCP 8.5), lacking cost breakdowns, accountability, and community input, criticized as an ideological move rather than a practical solution.
• 😀 Despite a $32.8 million annual shortfall in infrastructure funding, the council prioritized spending $250,000 on consultants for a $200 million recreation complex project.
• 😀 A new fire department bylaw was approved that strips elected council members of oversight over fire services, giving unelected staff control over public safety decisions.
• 😀 The council allocated $85,000 to the anti-black racism task force, with $60,000 earmarked for vague consulting, without equity for other marginalized communities.
• 😀 Bill 17, which allows developers to bypass public input and peer reviews while avoiding green building standards, was supported by the council, with concerns about future lawsuits over flawed planning.
• 😀 The use of strong mayor powers was debated, with the mayor’s control centralizing power, and no council members seconding a motion to repeal these powers, signaling loyalty to centralized authority.
• 😀 Mayor Ash highlighted city investments in the waterfront, including a $10 million boardwalk upgrade and paddle sport rental services, while also mentioning infrastructure renewal projects.
• 😀 Despite the mayor's focus on waterfront and recreational upgrades, Counsellor Lisa Robinson criticized the prioritization of vanity projects over addressing infrastructure issues like flooding and crumbling roads.

Q & A

What is the main critique Counselor Lisa Robinson has about the property tax increase?

Counselor Lisa Robinson criticizes the property tax increase for being a 2.8% hike every year for the next decade, which she believes is a financial burden on residents. She argues that the increase is rubber-stamped by council without public consultation and lacks transparency about how the funds will be used.

Why does Counselor Robinson oppose internet voting in the 2026 election?

Counselor Robinson opposes internet voting because she presents evidence that electronic voting systems have failed in other jurisdictions, citing issues like overturned elections, locked-out voters, and unreliable results. She believes that if such systems are too insecure for federal and provincial elections, they are equally unsuitable for municipal elections in Pickering.

What is the issue with the community climate adaptation plan approved by the council?

Counselor Robinson argues that the community climate adaptation plan is based on a debunked emissions model (RCP 8.5), which she believes is fictional and unrealistic. She contends that the plan lacks accountability, cost breakdowns, and public input, and is more about pushing an ideological agenda than solving real climate issues.

How does Robinson feel about the $200 million recreation complex project?

Robinson sees the recreation complex project as reckless and irresponsible. She criticizes council for prioritizing the complex while ignoring pressing infrastructure needs, such as flooding and crumbling roads. She argues that funding architectural fantasies rather than addressing basic infrastructure is financial malpractice.

What concerns does Robinson raise about the new fire bylaws?

Robinson expresses concern that new fire department bylaws give unelected staff, such as the CIO and fire chief, the power to alter fire services without council oversight. She argues that this centralizes power in the hands of bureaucrats and undermines elected representatives' role in making decisions about public safety.

Why does Robinson criticize the allocation of $85,000 to the anti-black racism task force?

Robinson criticizes the allocation of $85,000 to the anti-black racism task force, particularly the $60,000 earmarked for vague consulting with no clear deliverables or audits. She questions why other communities, such as Indigenous, South Asian, East Asian, and Middle Eastern groups, don't receive equal funding and representation.

What is Bill 17, and why does Robinson oppose it?

Bill 17 is a piece of legislation that Robinson argues allows developers to bypass public input, peer review, and green building standards. She opposes it because she believes it gives too much power to developers and could lead to flawed planning and unsafe buildings, which taxpayers would ultimately have to fund.

What is Robinson’s stance on strong mayor’s powers, and how does council respond?

Robinson is strongly opposed to strong mayor’s powers and filed a motion to rescind them. However, her motion did not receive a seconder from other council members, and when she presented letters of opposition from other municipalities, council only voted to receive them, not endorse them. She views this as an attack on democracy and an example of council protecting centralized power.

How does Robinson view the mayor’s recap of the council meeting?

Robinson is critical of the mayor's recap, claiming that it focused on trivial matters like paddle boards and pulled pork, distracting from the real issues discussed in the meeting. She believes the mayor misrepresented the actual decisions made by the council, which she describes as harmful to the community.

What does Robinson suggest as a way to restore democracy and fairness in the city?

Robinson calls on residents to stand with her and demand honesty, transparency, and leadership that prioritizes people over politics and truth over power. She advocates for a city that belongs to the people, not to a single mayor or ideology, and urges citizens to take action to reclaim their city, one voice at a time.