On June 18th, 2025, Councillor Lisa Robinson took to Twitter…X, if you prefer, to express some big feelings about chocolate bars.
Councillor Robinson is bothered by these sweet treats because she opposes what she calls “performative nationalism at its most embarrassing.” Follow along for a couple of minutes—it’s a quick one, and mostly photos, I promise—to see examples of Robinson’s own performative nationalism.
The “Elbows Up” chocolate bar that has triggered her ire, is sold by Peace By Chocolate, a Canadian company founded by a family of chocolate makers from Syria, who speak glowingly of their opportunity to rebuild their lives and business in Canada.
Is “Elbows Up” chocolate a bit of a marketing gimmick? Maybe, but what Canadian company isn’t making sure we know their products are made here, at a time when people are trying to buy Canadian?
But Lisa Robinson opposes performative nationalism.
That’s why she posed in front of this giant Canadian flag at a Conservative Party rally, which she visited while serving as a candidate for the People’s Party of Canada. She’s a “patriot”. She “fight(s) for Canada.”
Lisa Robinson opposes performative nationalism.
That’s why she repeatedly weaponizes the Canadian flag in her attacks on Pride flags, calling the maple leaf “my pride flag.”
Lisa Robinson opposes performative nationalism.
That’s why she was out there on Canada Day checking to see who had Canadian flag pins—not just handing them to anyone, but checking to see who lacked one.
Lisa Robinson opposes performative nationalism.
That’s why one Canadian flag in the backdrop she uses for online Council meetings wasn’t enough…
So now she has two. Two, in her home office, so she can be extra super Canadian for online Council meetings.
Lisa Robinson opposes performative nationalism.
That’s why she boasted about this cheap little sticker on her office door, using a dollar store flag decal to portray herself as superior to other members of Council.
Lisa Robinson opposes performative nationalism.
That’s why she made a big stink about the need for Pickering Council to play “O Canada” before meetings. “A disgraceful blow to Canadian values and patriotism” she said.
Well, in response to aggressive rhetoric and tariffs from US President Donald Trump, Pickering has begun playing “O Canada” before Council meetings. At the June 23rd meeting, Lisa Robinson, supreme, genuine, totally non-performative patriot, made a phone call during the playing of “O Canada”.
Seriously. Watch her section of the screen in the video below.
So yeah, Lisa is seriously, totally opposed to “performative nationalism” and 100% genuine when she wraps herself in the flag and insists on the importance of playing the anthem before meetings. She’s just not quite serious enough to wait until the anthem is over before calling someone. Also, as we’ve covered before, she’s very much against “Elbows Up”, because what she truly values, is not Canada, but Trump-style politics.
On Canada Day 2025, Lisa Robinson decided performative wasn’t enough. She decided to be divisive too!
