Toronto renaming Yonge-Dundas Square. Here's what the new name could be
Toronto City Council has approved a motion to rename Yonge-Dundas Square and to ask the TTC to rename two subway stations, while at the same time pausing the renaming process for Dundas Street itself.
The motion was adopted with a majority of support following a debate at council Thursday evening.
It follows a process previously put in place by council to rename Dundas Street and other city property after a re-examination of the role Scottish politician Henry Dundas played in slavery.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
“The City of Toronto remains committed to confronting anti-Black racism, advancing truth, reconciliation and justice, and building a more inclusive and equitable city," Mayor Olivia Chow said in a statement after the vote.
The motion placed before council by Coun. Chris Moise Thursday and seconded by the mayor asks that council direct the Yonge Dundas Square Board to rename the square with a name chosen by the Recognition Review Community Advisory Committee by the end of the second quarter next year.
"I'm going to use my Section 37 funds to cover the cost of the renaming of that and the name hopefully of Dundas Square will be the chosen name of the advisory committee that met yesterday," Moise said Wednesday.
Moise said that the committee narrowed the choices down to four names over the past few months and selected a name this week, which was "Sankofa Square."
According to the motion, Sankofa originates in Ghana and refers "to the act of reflecting on and reclaiming teachings from the past which enables us to move forward together."
"Adopting the name Sankofa Square, recognizes the need to reflect on and reclaim teachings from the past, and enables us to move forward together,” Chow said.
The motion also asks the TTC board to rename Dundas Station by the fourth quarter of 2024 and to rename Dundas West Station by 2025.
Speaking with reporters Wednesday, Moise said Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) has agreed to pick up the entire $1.7 million cost of renaming Dundas subway station if it is named after the university.
In an email, TMU said that it is "looking forward to working with the City and the TTC on this project" and figuring out next steps.
The university previously expressed interest in paying for a name change that would mention it back in 2011.
The motion also asks the Toronto Public Library Board to rename the Jane-Dundas library branch by the second or third quarter of 2024.
People wait for a subway train inside Dundas Station in downtown Toronto, Saturday, April 1, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston
It also directs the city manager to pause work on the previous process to rename all of Dundas Street until city council provides further direction on the issue.
Moise's office said the move would allow the city to fast-track the renaming of four assets while pausing the rest of the process due to budget pressures. Conversations with the community and the advisory committee would continue, the councillor's office said.
The decision to rename Dundas Street and other city property has been controversial.
The most recent estimate pegs the cost at somewhere between $11.3 and 12.7 million. So far the city has already spent $250,000 on the project, money some say would be better spent on bolstering city services rather than a symbolic gesture.
Speaking at council Thursday, Coun. Stephen Holyday spoke out against fast-tracking the renaming via a member's motion instead of proceeding through a regular committee process which allows for community deputations.
On Wednesday Holyday unsuccessfully moved a motion to refer the matter to Executive Committee for further study over cost and scholarship favourable to Henry Dundas. It failed in a split 15-11 vote.
A Dundas Street West sign is pictured in Toronto, Wednesday, June 10, 2020. For some people, renaming Toronto's Dundas Street is a necessary step to confront the history of a city built in part by individuals connected to the British Empire's transatlantic slave trade. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Giordano Ciampini
In August, three former mayors asked the city to reconsider the decision, citing the practicality of doing so, as well as the research which supports the decision.
Dundas amended a 1792 resolution to gradually abolish the slave trade rather than doing so immediately. Some historians argue that he was a committed abolitionist who was doing his best to make sure that some version of the law passed. Others argue that his reasons were irrelevant.
Council voted in 2021 to rename the street and associated assets following a renewed awareness around anti-Black racism in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Live election results: Harris to make first public statement following defeat
Vice President Kamala Harris called Trump on Wednesday to congratulate him on his election victory.
Trump wins the White House in a political comeback rooted in appeals to frustrated voters
Donald Trump was elected the 47th president of the United States on Wednesday, an extraordinary comeback for a former president who refused to accept defeat four years ago, sparked a violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, was convicted of felony charges and survived two assassination attempts.
Read the full transcript of Donald Trump's victory speech
The former U.S. president and now president-elect addressed a crowd of supporters at his campaign headquarters in West Palm Beach, Fla., shortly after 2:30 a.m. EST, Wednesday morning.
'Canada will be absolutely fine': Justin Trudeau, his ministers and Pierre Poilievre congratulate Donald Trump
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and members of his cabinet congratulated Donald Trump Wednesday morning on his second United States presidential election win, amid questions about how the federal government intends to navigate a second term.
4 ways in which Donald Trump's election was historic
Donald Trump's election victory was history-making in several respects, even as his defeat of U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris prevented other firsts. She would have been the nation's first Black and South Asian woman to be president.
Who won the popular vote? U.S. election vote totals from the past 40 years
Donald Trump won the U.S. presidency on Tuesday, and as of Wednesday morning, was also ahead in the popular vote. Historically, though, the candidate with the most votes hasn’t always won the contest.
What might Donald Trump's election win mean for Canadians
Following president-elect Donald Trump's decisive election victory, there are sure to be significant knock-on effects for Canada. Here's a look at the different areas in which a second Trump presidency may affect Canadians.
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris to concede election to president-elect Donald Trump
Democratic Vice-President Kamala Harris has scheduled a speech for 4 p.m. EST where she is expected to concede the election to Republican Donald Trump.
Kingston, Ont. doctor fighting OHIP clawback of $660K in pandemic vaccination payments
A Kingston doctor is in a dispute with the Ontario Ministry of Health, which is trying to clawback more than $600,000 in OHIP payments.