St. Lawrence Market North Contractor Suing City Of Toronto For $83M

As Toronto prepares to officially open the new St. Lawrence Market North building, the construction company behind the project is suing the city for $83 million. Buttcon Limited and The Atlas Corporation, who worked together on the project, claim the city hasn't paid them for labor, materials, and services provided during construction. They filed a lawsuit in Ontario's Superior Court, stating they completed the work in January 2025 but are still waiting for payment.

The contractors are also seeking an additional $9 million for extra work and materials they say were needed due to delays and disruptions caused by the city. They've requested a lien on the land where the market stands to secure the unpaid amount. The city hasn't commented on the lawsuit, citing ongoing legal proceedings.

The redevelopment of St. Lawrence Market North has faced numerous delays and cost increases since it was first approved in 2008. Originally estimated at $75 million, the project's budget grew over the years. By 2019, when Buttcon and Atlas signed a $91.8 million contract, the city had approved a total budget of $116 million. In July 2024, the city authorized an additional $9.5 million payment to cover extra costs, including those related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite these payments, the contractors now claim the total cost of the project reached nearly $203 million, with $83 million still unpaid. They argue that the city requested additional work and changes that increased the project's scope and cost. None of these allegations have been proven in court.

The new five-story building includes courtrooms, administrative offices, and a market hall. Tenants have already started moving in, and the Saturday Farmers' Market, a tradition since 1803, has returned to the site. Mayor Olivia Chow and Councillor Chris Moise attended the market's reopening on April 5, 2025.

The official opening ceremony for the St. Lawrence Market North building is scheduled for May 10, 2025. While the lawsuit casts a shadow over the celebration, the city and its residents are eager to see the market fully operational after years of construction and delays.