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Yesterday, Toronto City Council approved the renaming of Yonge-Dundas Square to "Sankofa Square," a move that is part of the City of Toronto's ongoing efforts to address historical injustices and promote inclusivity.
The decision, which was adopted following two years of consultations, research, and discussions led by the City’s Recognition Review Community Advisory Committee (CAC), also advances plans to rename three other major city assets: Dundas and Dundas West subway stations, and the Jane/Dundas Public Library, while shelving the 2021 City Council decision to rename Dundas Street itself.
City Council has now scheduled the renaming process of the square, library, and two subway stations to begin in 2024. Jane/Dundas Public Library will be renamed by the Toronto Public Library Board in consultation with the City by the third-quarter of 2024. The City and TTC will consult with Toronto Metropolitan University in the renaming of Dundas subway station by the end of 2024, and the City and TTC will consult the CAC regarding renaming Dundas West subway station within the TTC’s 10-year capital plan, but preferably for City Council, by 2025.
"Sankofa," is a term originating from Ghana that describes the importance of learning from the past to build a better future. It resonated with CAC's commitment to acknowledging and confronting the city's history, including the impacts of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and anti-Black racism. Mayor Olivia Chow emphasized the City's dedication to truth, reconciliation, and justice, underlining the renaming as a step towards creating a more inclusive and equitable city.
Mayor Chow highlighted the significance of this move, stating, "Adopting the name Sankofa Square recognizes the need to reflect on and reclaim teachings from the past, and enables us to move forward together."
The adoption of "Sankofa Square" follows two years of intensive work by the 20-member CAC, comprising Black and Indigenous leaders, Dundas Street residents, and business owners. Their unanimous decision reflects a collective aspiration to redefine public spaces in a manner that honours Toronto's diverse cultural heritage and values.
The renaming initiative will also include a public education campaign, set to launch in 2024, focusing on the historical context and enduring impacts of slavery. It aligns with the City's broader objectives of advancing racial and social justice, ensuring community well-being, and promoting equity. The estimated net cost of this renaming project is around $700,000, with identified offsets to mitigate the financial impact.
The decision to stop work on the July 2021 City Council decision to rename Dundas Street reflects the number of businesses and many thousands of residents located along the street who would be affected by it. Estimated to cost $12.7M, the renaming is not cancelled outright, but is off the table until further direction from City Council.
The renamings that are going through are part of a broader initiative, initiated in 2020, following an online petition calling for the renaming of Dundas Street. City Council's response was to commit to better reflecting the city's rich diversity and addressing the historical injustices faced by marginalized communities. In forming the CAC, City Council convened a forum for a public engagement processes, and the development of a transition plan to support residents and businesses impacted by these changes.
UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on this development, but in the meantime, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.
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