Toronto 
Toronto City Council has announced a new name for Yonge-Dundas Square, in a move that marks the beginning of a broader initiative to rename several city assets currently bearing the name ‘Dundas.’
Credit: Matt Pet/Unsplash
This decision, stemming from two years of community consultations, research, and discussions, is a part of the city’s effort to address historical wrongs and anti-Black racism, fostering a more inclusive community.
“Sankofa Square” was unanimously chosen as the name for Yonge-Dundas Square by the City’s Recognition Review Community Advisory Committee (CAC), which includes Black and Indigenous leaders, residents, and business owners of Dundas Street. The term ‘Sankofa,’ rooted in Ghanaian culture, symbolizes learning from the past to build a progressive future.
In addition to Yonge-Dundas Square, the Dundas name will be removed from three other city assets starting in 2024: Dundas and Dundas West subway stations and the Jane/Dundas Public Library.
The City and the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) will collaborate with Toronto Metropolitan University and the CAC for renaming Dundas Station and Dundas West Station, respectively. The Toronto Public Library Board, in collaboration with the City, will oversee the renaming of the Jane/Dundas Public Library.
The Toronto City Council has set timelines for these changes, with the library’s renaming expected by the third quarter of 2024, Dundas subway station by the end of 2024, and Dundas West subway station within the TTC’s 10-year capital plan, ideally by 2025.
The Recognition Review CAC, formed in the fall of 2021, is comprised of 20 members, including Black and Indigenous leaders, as well as Dundas Street residents and business owners. The committee plays a crucial role in the renaming process.
Per the news release, the estimated cost for these changes is around $700,000, with plans to offset these expenses.
