Here are all the places in Ontario named after Egerton Ryerson. Will they change their name?
The name Ryerson is connected to one of the darkest chapters in Canadian history and yet for dozens of years, it’s been used to title many of Ontario’s important landmarks and institutions.
Egerton Ryerson was an architect of Canada's residential school system, which separated more than 150,000 Indigenous children from their families and inflicted grave human rights abuses.
This past summer, unmarked gravesites containing the remains of hundreds of people, believed to be mainly Indigenous children, were found at several former residential school sites across Canada. The search is ongoing to locate more of the mass gravesites.
As the leaders of institutions and municipalities in Ontario start to reflect on their country’s horrible past, some have decided to officially part with their namesake.
CTV News Toronto has compiled a list of several places in Ontario named after Egerton Ryerson, and contacted each one to learn if they had plans to make a switch.
Here’s what we found:
Ryerson Elementary School – Hamilton, Ont.
- In June, the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board voted to create an Indigenous-led process to review and rename Ryerson Elementary School.
Ryerson University – Toronto, Ont.
- In late August, the university announced that it accepted a recommendation to begin a renaming process. The decision came after growing calls demanded the institution examine the legacy of Egerton Ryerson.
Ryerson United Church – Hamilton, Ont.
- The Ryerson United Church says that its board has been meeting and exploring options about the naming of the church given their namesake’s “association to Canada's horrific residential school system.”
Ryerson Camp – Vittoria, Ont.
- CTV News Toronto contacted the camp last week, but has not yet heard a response.
Ryerson Public School – London, Ont.
- In late June, the Thames Valley District School Board announced that its trustees unanimously supported changing the school’s name and supported a review of all schools named after individuals.
Ryerson Park – Burlington, Ont.
- In late August, the City of Burlington said it’s looking to rename the park due to its connection to the residential school system and are asking residents to suggest new names.
Ryerson Heights Elementary School – Brantford, Ont.
- In late June, Grand Erie District School Board said its trustees approved requests to rename the school. The board will form a committee during the school year to examine options for names and make a proposal.
Ryerson Community Park – Toronto, Ont.
- The City of Toronto said staff are currently developing a new framework to guide how the city commemorates public figures. The city said its staff are aware of at least 60 names that may require review in the future, including assets named for Egerton Ryerson.
Ryerson Avenue – Ottawa, Ont.
- The City of Ottawa said it has not received a request or application to rename Ryerson Avenue. The city added that Ryerson Avenue has had the name for “more than five decades and the city has reviewed and determined that it has no records to indicate that the avenue was commemoratively named or named after a particular person.”
Ryerson Community School – Toronto, Ont.
- The Toronto District School Board said it approved a motion in April that will lead to a citywide review of all school names with the help of experts, students, educators and people involved in anti-racism work.
Ryerson Tennis Club – Ottawa, Ont.
- CTV News Toronto contacted the club last week, but has not yet heard a response.
Ryerson United Church – Ancaster, Ont.
- The church said it’s considering changing its name due to its association with the residential school system and added that its council is working on plans to address the issue.
Ryerson Park – Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.
- A spokesperson for the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake told CTV News Toronto on Tuesday that they are waiting on updated information and working on a response.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Fluid in eye cells can 'boil' if you watch the eclipse without protection: expert
Millions of people in parts of Eastern and Atlantic Canada will be able to see the rare solar eclipse happening on April 8. But they should only look up if they have proper eye protection, experts say.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Being harassed at work? What to consider when deciding what to do next
If you've been the victim of workplace harassment, it can be difficult to feel you're not alone - and even more difficult to know where to go with a complaint.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Half of Canadians support TikTok ban, with U.S. concerns 'trickling' north: poll
A new poll indicates 51 per cent of Canadians support banning the social media app TikTok, after a U.S. bill aiming to do just that passed in the House of Representatives.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
More unauthorized products for skin, sexual enhancement, recalled: Here are the recalls of this week
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalled various items this week, including torches, beef biltong and unauthorized products related to skin care and sexual enhancement.