The City of Mississauga has secured a court order to stop two large-scale unsanctioned events planned at Ridgeway Plaza, a west-end commercial complex that has become notorious for late-night disturbances and dangerous activities in recent years. The Ontario Superior Court of Justice granted the City a temporary injunction requiring the condominium corporations that own the plaza to take immediate steps to prevent nuisance gatherings. The move comes as officials anticipate gatherings on August 13–14 for Pakistan Independence Day and on August 19 for Afghanistan Independence Day, each expected to attract more than 3,000 people.
City officials say past events at the plaza, located southwest of Eglinton Avenue West and Ridgeway Drive, have brought noise well into the early hours, illegal fireworks, street racing, stunt driving, fights, littering, and other hazards. Complaints from residents have been frequent since the plaza opened in 2022, and despite repeated enforcement efforts and outreach to the plaza’s owners, problems persist. Peel Regional Police have developed an operational plan to enforce the injunction, which is in effect from noon on August 13 until 2 a.m. on August 15, and again from noon on August 19 until 2 a.m. on August 20. Officers may close the plaza, restrict nearby streets, and remove non-compliant individuals, with arrests possible for violations.
The court order mandates that the plaza’s owners regulate vehicle access, install parking barriers, hire security and paid-duty police officers, and control pedestrian traffic to prevent loitering and gatherings that may lead to disturbances. The City has documented numerous violations since June 2023, including excessively loud music, illegal patios, unauthorized barbecues, aggressive behaviour, dangerous driving, and difficulties with safe entry and exit. Ward 8 Councillor Matt Mahoney said he wants the plaza’s businesses to succeed but not at the cost of public safety. He called it regrettable that legal action became necessary after repeated attempts to secure cooperation from the property owners failed. City officials stress that the action is not aimed at any specific group, but at protecting the safety and well-being of the community.
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