Mohamad Fakih and the City of Mississauga are suing each other for millions of dollars, marking a major escalation in their ongoing feud over the Paramount Fine Foods Centre.

The city sued Fakih for $9 million in damages on Monday for breach of contract, accusing Fakih’s company of failing to pay debts linked to a naming rights deal at the city-owned arena. Fakih sued the city last week for $4.25 million for defamation over public comments made by the city and Mayor Carolyn Parrish about the ongoing dispute.