Pickering councillor faces new penalty, probe amid escalating conflict with city [Video]

The mayor for a southern Ontario city says a councillor is facing a second consecutive 90-day pay suspension and allegations against her have been referred to police, after he announced the municipal council would move its meetings online over alleged threats from her supporters.

The conflict in Pickering began more than a year ago over complaints about Coun. Lisa Robinson’s social media posts, which the integrity commissioner described as “unacceptable” and potentially harmful to marginalized communities.

The escalating back-and-forth that has followed — including Robinson’s repeated appearances on right-wing media platforms and the city’s own lengthy video posted online earlier this week — has come to engulf local politics in the city east of Toronto.

Mayor Kevin Ashe said in an interview Friday that the integrity commissioner brought police a complaint that Robinson may be aiding and abetting criminal harassment with her participation in “far-right” media.

The commissioner’s office said …