Toronto council approves renaming Yonge-Dundas Square, Dundas subway stations

Toronto’s City Council has approved renaming Yonge-Dundas Square to “Sankofa Square,” as well as both Dundas subway stations.

Council voted 17-4 in favour of the recommendation to rename Dundas Station and Dundas West Station. On the suggestion to rename Yonge-Dundas Square to Sankofa Square, councillors voted 19-2 in favour.

Sankofa derives from Ghana and refers “to the act of reflecting on and reclaiming teachings from the past which enables us to move forward together” and, in simpler terms, “to go back and get it.”

“This new name reflects the City’s commitment to taking steps to right wrongs, confront anti-Black racism and build a more inclusive Toronto for all,” a city spokesperson wrote in a news release.

Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square Board will report to City Council on details related to adopting the new name by the end of Q2 2024.

The city confirmed that Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) will get involved with the TTC to rename Dundas Station “TMU Station” and will receive advice from the Recognition Review Community Advisory Committee to rename Dundas West Station.

City councillors also voted to ensure the costs to rename both subway stations won’t impact the TTC’s budget. A recommendation by City Council that the Library Board rename Jane Dundas Library was also approved in a 19-2 vote.

City Council approved a motion that would see the city undertake a public education campaign, which will launch in 2024 and extend into 2025, that will focus on “acknowledging the impact of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and slavery.”

Officials will consider the next steps to rename these assets in 2024.

“The City of Toronto remains committed to confronting anti-Black racism, advancing truth, reconciliation and justice, and building a more inclusive and equitable city,” said Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow.

“The City of Toronto is committed to acknowledging the impact of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and slavery while focusing on mitigating costs and impacts on residents and businesses. Adopting the name Sankofa Square recognizes the need to reflect on and reclaim teachings from the past and enables us to move forward together.”

Renaming of Dundas Street at forefront of councillors’ minds in final 2023 meeting

With City Council facing a $1.5 billion hole and a $46.5 billion budget deficit over the next decade, some are questioning if the cost is worth making the change.

The cost to rename the thoroughfare has increased, according to a report to be presented by the city manager. The original price tag was set at $8.6 million. It is now estimated to be as high as $12.7 million.

Coun. Chris Moise, chair of the Confronting Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee, said there are no plans to rename the street immediately, referring to it as “a long-term approach.”

City Council initially voted to rename the 23-kilometre east-west route and other city-owned assets bearing the Dundas name due to its namesake’s alleged role in delaying the abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

After consultation with academic experts, the city found his actions contributed to the perpetuation of slavery.

Henry Dundas never set foot in Toronto. He was an active British politician from the 1770s to the early 1800s when parliament was debating slavery abolition motions.

With files from Michael Ranger and Michelle Mackey of CityNews