Ridgeway Plaza, Mississauga has made waves in deep golden horse shoe. This comes on the heels of an Ontario Superior Court injunction that seeks to limit large gatherings in the area. The City of Mississauga, which applied for the temporary injunction, had this injunction enforced on August 13, 14 and 19. These dates coincide with culturally significant days of celebration. These include Pakistan’s Independence Day and Afghanistan’s Independence Day, which historically bring out thousands of people.
Local business owner Ajmal Khairi was vocal about his displeasure with the newly enacted restrictions. He noted that it was oddly quiet this past weekend. This drastic drop in foot traffic might be the death blow to his business. Khairi lamented, “It was much slower,” emphasizing the damage the injunction has inflicted on local businesses.
Resident Brandon Persaud, on the other hand, worried that safety and crowd control would become an issue at Ridgeway Plaza. He said they’d gotten “out of hand” at past events. He recommended that the city take more proactive measures to intervene to protect public safety. Persaud recommended that the city find other spaces for culture celebrations. This additional rental of a public park would allow for better crowd management of large crowds and increased safety for everyone.
The injunction was put in place due to significant overcrowding documented during past jubilations. During the enforcement period, authorities filed several charges related to public safety violations, including overcrowding, blocked exit signs, and a lack of fire safety plans. These problems sparked concerns among community members and city leaders, which led to the desire for increased regulatory oversight.
Though most city residents appear to back the court ruling, for others, the new limitations are too drastic. According to one resident who spoke with CityNews, they had no issue with the parties at Ridgeway Plaza. This demonstrates the ambivalence felt within their community about these events.
The cultural importance of such convenings should not be understated. For decades, they have formed the cultural backbone of communities, uniting people to celebrate their culture and heritage. As those crowds get bigger, this dynamic of keeping people safe while still allowing for cultural expression becomes more difficult to manage.
Local voices continue to disagree on the best course of action in the future to avoid the issues presented by these events. Some advocate for more permanent solutions to accommodate large gatherings safely, while others emphasize the need for enforcement to protect public safety.
