Timmins city councillor sanctioned for sending inappropriate emails

Timmins city councillor Cory Robins had his pay suspended for 60 days and was removed from a city board over a series of inappropriate emails.

Timmins city councillor Cory Robin had his pay suspended for 60 days and has been removed from the Cochrane District Services Board after an investigation by the integrity commissioner concluded he violated the city’s code of conduct.

Deborah Anschell, integrity commissioner for the City of Timmins, investigated a series of emails Robin sent in November 2024 to people involved with the Voices of Timmins Facebook page.

The complaints were brought by Coun. Bill Gvozdanovic, as well as Chris Lamarche, Jordan Haylor and Sonya Biemann.

“The complaint alleges that Coun. Robin has sent a series of inappropriate emails to Jordan Haylor, Chris Lamarche and Sonya Biemann, as well as third parties,” Anschell said in her report.

“In these emails, it is alleged that Coun. Robin demonstrated a repeated pattern of unprofessional, harassing and defamatory behaviour. These actions may contravene the code and undermine public trust in his role as a council member.”

Robin sent each of them written apologies and said he is receiving treatment for anxiety issues from his family doctor.

The emails centred on the homelessness and addiction crisis in the city. Emails on Nov. 19-20 of 2024 to Haylor “contained sarcastic and inflammatory remarks that mischaracterized Mr. Haylor’ s advocacy efforts” that implied “Haylor opposes solutions to homelessness and addiction.”

Sarcastic remarks

In a third email to Haylor on Nov. 21, “Robin made sarcastic remarks about a fabricated grassroots campaign. The email included disparaging comments.”

Another email Nov. 21 from Robin to Lamarche included “inflammatory and defamatory statements about Mr. Haylor.”

The same day, Robin went to Biemann’s store in Timmins and “made inflammatory statements about Mr. Haylor,” the integrity commissioner wrote.

“The councillor advised Ms. Biemann that he ‘wasn’t going after her yet. On Nov. 21, 2024, Coun. Robin sent an email to Ms. Biemann wherein he stated that he had changed his mind.’”

The full report can be found here.

In his response to Anschell’s investigation, Robin acknowledged that his comments were unprofessional.

“He indicated that he let a moment of intense frustration guide his remarks, and he indicated that he regretted those actions,” the integrity commissioner said.

“He apologized to Mr. Lamarche the day following the incident. Coun. Gvozdanovic witnessed the apology. During the council meeting on Nov. 23, 2024, Coun. Robin offered a direct apology to Mr. Haylor. They spoke briefly and shook hands with an offer to continue the conversation in the future.”

Robin said he had a negative history with Biemann, who is an administrator of the Voices of Timmins, which “advocates an end to supports for addiction and homeless shelters.”

“He has apologized for his interactions with Ms. Biemann, and regrets what he’s written,” the report said.

“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.”

Gvozdanovic said that there is “no excuse” for Robin’s behaviour or for sending “abusive and harassing” emails.

“He reiterated that elected officials are required to follow the code, and he views this communication as a serious breach,” the report said.

“Gvozdanovic also indicated that he felt it was necessary to notify the police, because the emails were threatening and bizarre.”

Haylor and Biemann said they didn’t believe that Robin had accepted full responsibility for what he did. And Lamarche said that Robin’s apologies “are insufficient.”

“His view is that action must be taken in order to rectify this behaviour or it will continue. Public officials must not be allowed to conduct themselves in this manner.”

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At the April 29 city council meeting, Gvozdanovic moved to increase the penalty to 60 days from the 30 days recommended by the integrity commissioner. Another amendment removed Robin from the Cochrane District Services Board.

Gvozdanovic said some of the emails were sent during a board meeting that Robin failed to attend. He said he doesn’t believe Robin when he said anxiety and panic disorders were behind the emails.

‘I don’t buy it’

“I don’t buy it,” Gvozdanovic said at the April 29 city council meeting.

“If you’re having a panic attack, trust me. You’re not sending emails. You’re not even able to hit the send button.”

He was also unimpressed by Robin’s apology letters, which he said were all the same.

Coun. John Curley said everyone at some point in their lives has said things they regret when they get angry. But in this case, Robin’s actions extended over three days.

“That’s what upsets me,” Curley said. "

“To continue doing it after the fact … A strong message has to be sent.”

“This is serious,” added Mayor Michelle Boileau.

The strengthened punishment passed unanimously. The council video of the debate can be accessed here.