Pizza Pizza launches lawsuit against Brossard over fast-food ban

Pizza Pizza is suing the city of Brossardfor banning fast-food restaurants from across from one of its schools.

Brossard city councillor Alexandre Plante saidno restaurant owners were opposed to the idea when the city issued a notice of motion in July to ban fast-food chains in front of Antoine-Brossard High School.

Plante saidthat Pizza Pizza had applied for a permit before the bylaw was adopted, andthe town's intentions were clear at the time.

"When we did put forth our notice of motion, we let the intent of the city council be known publicly," Plante said.

He says that the restaurant's legal actions came as a surprise.

"There was no indication that we'd face such a problem," he said.

Quebec's public health association's director-generalLucie Granger hopes a court battle can be avoided.

"I have faith that Pizza Pizza will back off from the legal procedures and accept the will of the elected people of Brossard," Granger said.

Plante said there is one restaurant already operating near the high school that won't be affected by the city's zoning change.

Pizza Pizza declined to comment because, it says, the case is before the courts.