Events company sues Vaughan for $25M after cancelling Caribbean festival

Lawsuit is also seeking anti-racism training for staff

Yorkregion.com
Oct. 8, 2019
Dina Al-Shibeeb

The Summer of Sound Festivals Inc. (SOS) is suing the City of Vaughan for $25 million for cancelling the Caribbean cultural festival last year.

While SOS managed to throw one day of the festival, Vaughan cancelled the remainder of the two days, citing how the event was at its “over capacity” and “exceeded the approved length” where it continued past 3 a.m.

On. Aug. 4, Vaughan “revoked” the permit of the Carnival Kingdom 2018 after describing how it received 80 public complaints which led to a probe.

But SOS is now coming with full steam with its lawsuit, and naming Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua, Ward 4 Coun. Sandra Yeung-Racco and two bylaw officers for their alleged abuse of power.

Through the lawsuit, SOS is also demanding the courts impose "ongoing, mandatory cultural competence and anti-racism training for all city of Vaughan employees, servants, agents and representatives."

"There is a rule of law that everybody must adhere to, irrespective of whether you're a citizen or you're an elected official," CBC quoted lawyer Leslyn A. Lewis, who is filing the lawsuit on behalf of SOS.

He added: "You cannot use your power to detrimentally affect citizens."

When asked about this case, the City of Vaughan told York Region Media, “As this matter is before the courts, we cannot comment further.”