A Mississaga Plaza that has been drawing large crowds for cultural ceremonies for the past several years, is at the center of some warm debates between local businesses and inhabitants, when the city of Mississaga filed a temporary court prohibition in meetings.
A few days ago, Ontario Superior Court provided prohibitory orders, giving the city and peel regional police the ability to implement tight rules at the Redway Plaza.
The city says that it decided after reviewing the complaints and after a failed talks with the company, who owns the plaza.
Prohibition was particularly implemented on August 13, 14, and 19 – three days which coincided with Pakistan’s Independence Day and Afghanistan’s Independence Day – thousands of crowds in previous years.
Prohibition forced the Condo Corporation of Plaza to establish parking obstacles, rent security and regulate traffic to prevent large ceremonies.
Like Ajmal Khairi, the business owners in the plaza say that the rules left them, and others disappointed.
“Businesses are not happy,” he said. “It affects every business. For itself, (compared to normal weekends), it was slower than any other weekend. So it impressed us.”
A resident told Citynues that he had no issue with meetings.
“There is no other real place to collect people,” the man argued. “Especially in summer, so the prohibition in the city felt relatively targeted.”
Another another called prohibitory orders “a relief”, stating that she wanted it to be “more permanent”.
Prohibition was effective during three days, the city said allegations were filed for the lack of congested, blocked exhaust signals and fire security plans. There was no arrest.
Resident Brandon Persod said that things had gone out of hand at the place.
“I called the city, you can rent a park, you can do events .. but this is a daily event.”
Meanwhile, the city says that prohibitory orders have been very effective.
Citynews contacted the company that owns the plaza, but did not get any response.