How Renaming a Toronto Street Glosses Over Racism
Changing a street name is a nice gesture, but Black residents in Toronto and elsewhere need more than commemoration.
Aerial view of Dundas Square in the busiest intersection of the city: Yonge St. and Dundas St. The city council is now voting on a plan to rename streets named after Henry Dundas, a key obstructionist in Toronto’s early quest to abolish slavery.
Photographer: Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocketThe City of Toronto is voting to move forward with a plan to rename city streets and properties named after Henry Dundas, a key obstructionist in Toronto’s early quest to abolish slavery. The move was triggered by a petition that has netted nearly 15,000 signatures, and if approved by the city council, it would begin as soon as 2023. It is estimated to cost as much as C$6.3 million to not only rename the street, but also three parks, two subway stations, a library and over 1,000 signs bearing the Dundas name.
Among the equity impacts listed in the proposal: “Build the foundation for a stronger, more inclusive and accessible City through an intentional, equitable and community-centered approach to consultation, naming and commemorative processes.”