, I don’t mind renaming Yonge-Dundas Square, but why not name it instead after an important Black Torontonian? Perhaps William Hubbard or Thornton Blackburn, or both? Hubbard-Blackburn Square has a nice ring to it, and in time it might even come to be referred to as “The Hub.” The short street along the south side of the square, currently called Dundas Square, could then be renamed Sankofa Place. Let’s honour a Torontonian.
The issue that is upsetting the public is not the name. It was the failure of the city to not conduct the widespread public consultation on the name that was promised at the beginning of the renaming process. Rather than extensive public consultation, a small select group chose the name that was quickly and quietly presented to city council for approval with the support of Mayor Olivia Chow who had decided to short-circuit the promised naming process.
It is estimated that changing the name of Yonge-Dundas Square will cost close to $1 million. This is only the beginning. Changing subway stations’ names comes next.
I suggest an easy cost-effective solution to the Dundas problem. Pay a top-rated student a reasonable stipend to search the history books and find a woman named Dundas who made an exemplary contribution to Canadian culture, and then add some public service announcements highlighting her achievements. Problem solved.
I am not a supporter of renaming Dundas Square. Giving it a new name that means nothing upon first blush to most people wil.
