Toronto – Toronto City Council adopted recommendations to rename four major City of Toronto assets: Yonge-Dundas Square, Dundas and Dundas West subway stations and the Jane/Dundas Public Library. The City will consider next steps to rename these assets in 2024.
Following two years of consultation, research and discussion, the City’s Recognition Review Community Advisory Committee (CAC) unanimously selected the name “Sankofa Square” for Yonge-Dundas Square. The concept of Sankofa, originating in Ghana, refers to the act of reflecting on and reclaiming teachings from the past, which enables people to move forward together. 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. The Yonge-Dundas Square Board will report to City Council on details related to the adoption of the new name by the end of Q2 2024.
City Council adopted the motion recommending the City:
- Adopt the new name “Sankofa Square” for Yonge-Dundas Square.
- Remove the Dundas name from three other City assets – Dundas and Dundas West subway stations and the Jane/Dundas Public Library – starting in 2024.
- 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.
- Pause work on the remaining recommendations from the July 2021 decision including the renaming of Dundas Street until Council provides direction to resume.
In fall 2021, the Recognition Review CAC was formed to develop a shortlist of new names for Dundas Street and other City-owned assets bearing the Dundas name. The 20-member CAC brings together Black and Indigenous leaders and other Dundas Street residents and business owners. The CAC unanimously selected the name “Sankofa Square” for Yonge-Dundas Square at its December 12 meeting.
Pending TTC Board decision, the City and TTC will work in consultation with Toronto Metropolitan University to rename Dundas Station and with advice from the Recognition Review Community Advisory Committee to rename Dundas West Station. The Jane/Dundas Public Library is proposed to be renamed by the Toronto Public Library Board in collaboration with the City.
Council directed that the Jane/Dundas Public Library be renamed by Q3 2024. City Council also requested the Toronto Transit Commission Board rename Dundas subway station by Q4 2024, and Dundas West subway station be renamed within the TTC’s 10-year capital plan, preferably by 2025.
The net cost to the City is estimated to be $700,000 with identified offsets.
More information on the member’s motion is available on the City’s website.
The Recognition Review: Dundas Renaming project has been underway since 2020 when members of City Council received an online petition calling for Dundas Street to be renamed. In July 2021, City Council voted to rename Dundas Street. At that time, Council directed the City Manager to convene a Recognition Review CAC to develop a shortlist of new names for Dundas Street and other City-owned assets bearing the Dundas name, and a transition plan to support impacted residents and businesses. The 20-member Recognition Review CAC was formed in fall 2021 and was made up of Black and Indigenous leaders, along with other diverse residents and business owners living and working along Dundas Street. View the July 21 Council decision on the City’s website.
“The City of Toronto remains committed to confronting anti-Black racism, advancing truth, reconciliation and justice, and building a more inclusive and equitable City. 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.” – Mayor Olivia Chow