Tenants say injunction costs at Ridgeway Plaza are being passed on to businesses
Tenants at Mississauga’s Ridgeway Plaza say condominium corporations are shifting security, policing and legal costs onto businesses after a city injunction.
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By Torontoer Staff
Business owners at Ridgeway Plaza in Mississauga say they are being asked to cover large security, policing and legal bills after the city obtained a court injunction to stop recurring nuisance gatherings at the site. The order required the condominium corporations that own the plaza to add barriers, hire paid-duty police and provide additional security to prevent fights, street racing, loud music and fireworks.
Tenants say the condominium corporations are passing those costs down to landlords and tenants, and that the extra assessments threaten already strained small businesses at the plaza.
What the injunction required
The court-ordered injunction, issued this past summer, aimed to stop nuisance gatherings that at times drew thousands of people. It directed the condominium corporations that control the plaza to install parking gate arms or barriers, regulate pedestrian and vehicular traffic and ensure sufficient security, including paid-duty police, to prevent gatherings that could become dangerous or disruptive.
How costs are being allocated
Tenants say the financial impact arrived quickly. Manjot Singh, owner of Brar’s restaurant, says he recently received a bill for a special assessment of about $170,000 that will be split among plaza tenants.
The city fines the condominium. Condominium passes those bills to the landlord, and we are at the bottom of the food chain.
Manjot Singh, Brar’s
A letter from the condo board to unit owners, seen by Torontoer, lists the included items as legal fees related to litigation with the City of Mississauga, paid-duty police services and additional security services. The property management company confirmed that if owners choose to allocate those charges to tenants, the decision rests with the owners.
- Legal fees tied to litigation with the City of Mississauga
- Paid-duty police services during enforcement periods
- Additional private security and traffic-control measures
- Installation of physical barriers and parking gate arms
City response and bylaw changes
City officials say enforcement and fines have been issued to the condominium corporations over several years, but the municipality’s options are limited when it comes to who ultimately pays. Deputy mayor Matt Mahoney told media the condominium board is responsible for securing compliance and settling fines, and that the city does not dictate how private corporations allocate internal costs.
The police, the fire, have issued fines, numerous fines over the years for violations. The condominium and the board are responsible for ensuring they pay the bill. Who pays the bill in a private business or a private corporation? It’s not up to the city.
Matt Mahoney, Mississauga deputy mayor
Council voted this week to pass a significant bylaw amendment that will limit the number of restaurants allowed to operate at the plaza, aiming to reduce the current number by 15 per cent. The amendment is intended to alter the mix of uses and reduce late-night activity that can attract large crowds.
Tenants’ concerns
Business owners say the measures address real safety problems but that the financial burden is falling on tenants already coping with rising operating costs and weaker customer demand. Several tenants say problems at the plaza stem from planning and land-use decisions rather than the businesses themselves.
In these times when your operating cost keeps going up, but your income is dropping substantially, how long can restaurants survive?
Manjot Singh, Brar’s
Tenants worry the assessments and tighter limits on restaurant licences will force smaller operators to close, reduce offerings or raise prices to cover the extra charges. Some say they are exploring legal and commercial options, including negotiating with landlords and condominium boards, but they face a short window to resolve the bills.
What comes next for the plaza
The condominium corporations must comply with the injunction’s requirements, and the city will continue enforcement to prevent large nuisance gatherings. Council’s restaurant cap aims to change the site’s commercial mix, but it does not directly address how enforcement costs are allocated among owners, landlords and tenants.
For now, tenants say they will shoulder the special assessment and related charges while seeking clarification from landlords and the condo board about long-term arrangements. Business owners are watching for any additional municipal or legal steps that could reduce their exposure to future security and legal bills.
The outcome will determine whether Ridgeway Plaza stabilises, and whether long-established small businesses can continue operating under the new financial and regulatory landscape.
MississaugaRidgeway Plazasmall businesscity governmentsecurity
