TIMMINS - A councillor has been removed from the Cochrane District Services Board (CDSB) and his pay suspended for 60 days after the city's Integrity Commissioner investigated a series of inappropriate emails that led to his city email being temporarily disabled.
Integrity Commissioner Deborah Anschell found that Coun. Cory Robin broke three sections of the city's code of conduct in sending emails she says showed "concerning behaviour" to three residents in November 2024.
While her suggestion was to suspend his pay for one month, at tonight's Timmins council meeting, the repercussions were increased. Because some of the emails were sent when Robin was supposed to be attending a CDSB meeting, he was also removed from that board.
The decision was made in a unanimous recorded vote. Councillors Steve Black and Andrew Marks were not at the meeting. Robin declared a pecuniary interest on the item and was not in the room when it was discussed.
Removing Robin from the CDSB now forces Mayor Michelle Boileau to appoint another council member to it. Councillors Black, John Curley, Lorne Feldman, Marks and Kristin Murray already sit on it. Coun. Rock Whissell resigned from it in September 2024 over how the social services agency handled the roll-out of the proposed Timmins Wellness Centre of Excellence at the Ramada Inn. That leaves Gvozdanovic as the potential appointee.
The emails were described by the integrity commissioner as being harassing and having written threats. The emails, along with Robin making a personal visit to Biemann, were inappropriate and "showed a serious lack of decorum", said Anschell.
"This cannot be tolerated by council members," she wrote in her report.
"At the same time, Coun. Robin's behaviour did not include actual or threatened physical violence."
While the emails were responded to quickly by CAO Dave Landers — who suspended Robin's access to his city email for several days — and Mayor Michelle Boileau, Anschell said they show "concerning behaviour".
The emails were sent to Jordan Haylor, Chris Lamarche and Sonya Biemann Nov. 19-21, 2024. All three are members of the Voices of Timmins Facebook page. Gvozdanovic is also one complainants for the report.
In his interview with Anschell, Robin acknowledged he had been unprofessional.
"He indicated that he let a moment of intense frustration guide his remarks, and he indicated that he regretted those actions," she wrote in the report.
Robin apologized in writing to all three people. He told Anschell he has a history of conflict with Biemann and talked about her leadership role in the Voices of Timmins group, which he believes "advocates an end to supports for addiction and homeless shelters."
"The Councillor advised in his response that he is working with a registered social worker specializing in anxiety and trauma. He is also seeking assistance from his family physician. Coun. Robin has withdrawn from social media. His pages are still active, but he does not engage or review any complaints directed towards him," reads the report.
Haylor, Biemann and Lamarche, each told the integrity commissioner that Robin didn't take full responsibility for his actions.
Gvozdanovic was also interviewed, telling Anschell that council members shouldn't use personal email address to "harass residents."
"He also explained that the conflict that Coun. Robin has engaged in with the four complainants stems from strongly held beliefs about the best location for homeless shelters and addiction centres," said Anschell.
"Coun. Gvozdanovic's view is that the series of emails and outburst from Coun. Robin last fall represent an abuse of power. It's incumbent for Coun. Robin to own up to his improper behaviour."
Robin acknowledged the "inappropriate communications" in talking to Anschell.
"He advised me that the outburst was related to anxiety and panic attacks," she wrote.
"He is working on moderating his behaviour through self-regulation. He takes breaks from council when he needs to. Further, he takes medication now for his anxiety and is studying other behaviour modification techniques including deep breathing."
In making her decision, Anschell took into account that Robin apologized in writing, that the "problematic outbursts" were over a limited period, and Robin is now undergoing therapy.
"I also understand that the issues of homelessness and drug addiction are controversial and important issues for residents of Timmins. Opinions are strongly held and often lead to conflict between residents holding opposing views with respect to the preferred location for shelters and drug treatment facilities," she wrote.
Still, she noted that councillors must abide by the code of conduct.
"Council members must listen to various points of view, and at all times treat members of the public with dignity, understanding and respect. Coun. Robin clearly failed to demonstrate this type of behaviour mandated by the Code," she said.
More to come on this story.
