In June 2020, City Council received a petition signed by close to 14,000 individuals calling for Dundas Street to be renamed, citing its namesake Henry Dundas’ role in delaying the abolition of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. In July 2021, City Council voted to rename Dundas Street (2021.EX25.1). Council directed the City Manager to convene a Community Advisory Committee 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. A 20-person Recognition Review Community Advisory Committee (CAC) convening Black and Indigenous leaders, along with other diverse residents and business owners living and working along Dundas Street, was formed in fall 2021. Members were recruited through the City’s Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit and the Indigenous Affairs Office, in partnership with City Councillors representing wards that include Dundas Street. The membership of the CAC represents a broad spectrum of leaders from Toronto’s Indigenous, Black and equity-deserving communities. The CAC met regularly over the past two years, with a brief hiatus over the municipal election. Working within a consensus decision-making model, after two years of broad consultation, research and discussion, the CAC at its December 12, 2023, meeting unanimously selected a new name for Yonge-Dundas Square. The proposed new name for this prominent city asset is Sankofa Square. The concept of Sankofa, originating in Ghana, refers to the act of reflecting on and reclaiming teachings from the past which enables us to move forward together. Reason for Urgency: This Motion is urgent as it relates to considerations for the 2024 budget process.
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