One Toronto city councillor is proposing to make a big change to Toronto's largest transit station.
Coun. Denzil Minnan-Wong is looking to rename Union Station after Canada's first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald.
Minnan-Wong says, with Union Station currently undergoing a massive $640-million renovation, now is the perfect time to brand the iconic landmark in honour of one of Canada's most famous historical figures.
"Union Station is a great monument to Sir John A. (Macdonald) because he is known for his national policy, for building a railway from coast to coast," he said.
"What better place in terms of recognition of Sir John A. than Union Station, probably the most important railway station in the country?"
Minnan-Wong points out that there are at least 24 other Union Stations around the world and the proposed re-naming would set Toronto's downtown transportation hub apart from the rest.
Minnan-Wong says he has some support on council, but not everyone at city hall is convinced.
Coun. Adam Vaughan says renaming Union Station entails much more than simply slapping on a new name.
"I think connecting it to the rail system is understandable, but Union Station is Union Station and it's a part of the fabric and history of this city and it's not something you just sort of break out a chisel and re-carve the name," he said.
Toronto already has several landmarks dedicated to Macdonald across the city, including Highway 401, which is officially named the Macdonald-Cartier Freeway, and a statue on the grounds of Queen’s Park.
In addition to being Canada's first prime minister, the Scotland-born politician is known as one of the Fathers of Confederation.
But he’s not without controversy. He was prime minister when First Nations people were forcibly removed to make way for the Canadian Pacific Railway, and also had a guiding hand in establishing the residential schools system.
Union Station, which has been owned by the City of Toronto since 2000, is the country's busiest railway network and currently serves about 250,000 people daily.
The station functions as a transportation hub for Via Rail and GO Transit and connects with the TTC’s subway system.
Minnan-Wong has asked city council take a preliminary look at what the renaming would entail and believes the city has the jurisdiction to change the name.
CTV Toronto reporter Natalie Johnson notes that Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly seems to be in favour of the proposed re-naming.
Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly "wholeheartedly" supports @DenzilMW pitch to rename Union Station after Sir John A Macdonald
— Natalie Johnson (@NatalieCTV) February 4, 2014
Coun. Karen Stintz also took to Twitter Tuesday afternoon, offering her support for the proposal.
I share @DMayorKelly's wish to honour Canada's first Prime Minister, Sir John A. MacDonald.
— Karen Stintz (@KarenStintz) February 4, 2014
Meanwhile, some local Toronto residents voiced their disapproval of the potential name-change.
Leave Union Station alone. Quit renaming historical things. Build new things and name them after historical figures instead of corporations.
— Peter Lynn (@Peter_Lynn) February 4, 2014
What is all this talk about renaming Union Station?? #ifitaintbroke #morepressingissues
— Kadon (Kay) Douglas (@kadietweets) February 4, 2014
Renaming stations like Union Station is a waste of time and money. Spend the time and money making the #ttc run better w less gridlock
— Linda Matarasso (@IntegrityFilms) February 4, 2014
The city's executive committee decided, Tuesday morning, to take a more in-depth look at the proposal.
After examining heritage considerations and consulting with the public, the proposal will be re-examined at city hall on July 2.
With files from CP24