Where is Toronto in the renaming process of Dundas across the city?
Posted April 28, 2023 10:15 am.
Last Updated May 1, 2023 12:05 pm.
An upcoming documentary will examine the different ways communities have addressed the changing of names based on their history.
In Toronto, the primary debate has been over using the name Dundas across streets and subway stations. But where is the city now after over two years of discussion?
A petition was first launched by a Toronto man in June of 2020, following global discussions of anti-Black racism in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
The name Dundas comes from influential Scottish minister Henry Dundas. He never stepped foot in Toronto and is infamous for playing a pivotal role in delaying the abolition of the British Empire’s transatlantic slave trade.
The petition gathered over 14,000 signatures in its first 24 hours. Former Toronto Mayor John Tory immediately ordered the City Manager to begin a review.
RELATED: Dundas name to be removed from Toronto streets, other public amenities
A year later, city council approved the process to be led by a Community Advisory Committee of Black and Indigenous leaders.
City Council also consented to a Commemorative Framework in July 2022. It will prioritize commemorations in public spaces that are significant to Indigenous Peoples, Black communities, and equity-deserving groups.
As a part of the research ahead of the decision to change the Dundas name, 430 case studies from across the world were reviewed.
They found 129 municipalities, including Montreal and Halifax, changed a street or public asset name. Thirty-seven, including Kitchener, did not as of May 31, 2021.
RELATED: Renaming Dundas Street to have short, long-term impacts
Recently, Mississauga decided against changing the Dundas name, citing factors such as the interpretations of history through a modern lens, costs and the level of community support.
A report estimates the cost of re-branding all civic assets bearing the “Dundas” name at nearly $6 million, as the street alone is home to over 97,000 residents and 4,500 businesses. Of those, approximately 60 businesses have “Dundas” as a part of the name.
The 20-member committee is developing a shortlist of potential new names for Dundas Street and Yonge-Dundas Square to help shape a transition plan to support residents and businesses impacted by the name change. They are expected to advise on future guiding principles and processes for naming and renaming streets.
Public consultation meetings were held in the spring of 2022 to inform the development of the city’s new commemorative framework. Over 12,000 residents provided input during those sessions.
Their report, which will be presented to city council, is expected in 2023.
The upcoming documentary, “VeraCity: What’s in a Name?” chronicles the change from Ryerson University to Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), as well as the fight to keep the street name “Negro Creek” in the city of Owen Sound.
Catch the latest episode of VeraCity on Sunday, April 30, 2023, at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT only on Citytv.
