Item - 2021.EX25.1
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on July 14, 2021 with amendments.
- This item was considered by Executive Committee on July 6, 2021 and was adopted with amendments. It will be considered by City Council on July 14, 2021.
- See also By-law 683-2021
EX25.1 - Recognition Review Project Update and Response to the Dundas Street Renaming Petition
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on July 14, 15 and 16, 2021, adopted the following:
1. City Council direct the City Manager to initiate a public engagement process to seek input on the draft City of Toronto Principles for Commemoration in the Public Realm in Attachment 1 to the report (June 18, 2021) from the City Manager and to report back to the Executive Committee with recommendations for a new framework and implementation plan to guide how the City of Toronto commemorates public figures and events in street and place names, monuments and other civic assets by the second quarter of 2022.
2. City Council direct the City Manager to convene a Community Advisory Committee made up of Black and Indigenous leaders and representatives from the diverse communities, including Business Improvement Areas and Residents Associations, represented along Dundas Street to develop and seek community input on potential new names for Dundas Street and other City-owned assets bearing the Dundas name and to report back to the Executive Committee with recommended names by the second quarter of 2022.
3. City Council request the City Manager to work with the Community Advisory Committee to consider recommending different names for Old Dundas Street, Dundas Square and the various civic assets currently named for Dundas to reflect Toronto's rich culture, heritage and diversity.
4. City Council direct the City Manager to develop a transition plan to support Dundas Street residents and businesses impacted by the name change and to include this plan as part of the report to the Executive Committee in the second quarter of 2022.
5. City Council direct the City Manager to develop a full cost recovery program related to changing the name of Dundas Street for any business, regardless of their participation in a Business Improvement Area, including tangible costs related to rebranding and/or exterior signage, digital marketing and domain name changes as part of the transition plan to be presented to the Executive Committee in the second quarter of 2022.
6. City Council direct impacted City divisions and agencies to include costs related to renaming Dundas Street as part of their 2022 and 2023 Budget submissions.
7. City Council direct the City Manager to explore options to reduce the cost of renaming streets and civic assets and to include the results in the upcoming new framework and implementation plan.
8. City Council authorize the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services, in consultation with Ward Councillors, the Recognition Review Interdivisional Working Group and other City divisions and agencies, as appropriate, to process applications for new street names only where a new street name is required to proceed with development, in such cases following the current Street Naming Policy and a review against the draft City of Toronto Principles for Commemoration in the Public Realm in Attachment 1 to the report (June 18, 2021) from the City Manager, despite the previous moratorium on the naming or renaming of streets and other civic properties.
9. City Council authorize the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, in consultation with the Director, Indigenous Affairs Office and the City Librarian, to investigate options for naming the community recreation centre to be located at 100 Ethennonnhawahstihnen' Lane, in alignment with the draft City of Toronto Principles for Commemoration in the Public Realm in Attachment 1 to the report (June 18, 2021) from the City Manager and in coordination with the Toronto Public Library's process for naming the new on-site library branch, despite the previous moratorium on the naming or renaming of streets and other civic properties, and to recommend a name to the North York Community Council by the fourth quarter of 2021.
10. City Council approve the name "Freemon Redmon Circle" to identify the proposed private street at 971-979 Warden Avenue and City Council deem that notice of the proposed naming was given by the publication of the Executive Committee agenda.
11. City Council direct that the cost to install the required street name signage for "Freemon Redmon Circle" be borne by the applicant and that the owners and successors of the subject street will maintain, at their own risk, the installed signage.
12. City Council express its desire to further advance racial and social justice, as identified in the Recognition Review Project Update and Response to the Dundas Street Renaming Petition, and direct the City Manager to report to the Executive Committee and through the 2022 Budget process with a comprehensive list of programs, services and policies which City Council has previously adopted and endorsed which remain currently underfunded and unfunded but necessary to ensure community health, social well-being and prosperity of equity-seeking groups and people living with vulnerabilities.
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-168523.pdf
Attachment 1 - Draft City of Toronto Principles for Commemoration in the Public Realm
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-168524.pdf
Attachment 2 - Proposed Engagement Strategies for Commemorative Principles
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-168525.pdf
Attachment 3 - Naming of a New Public Street at 971-979 Warden Avenue
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-168526.pdf
Attachment 4 - Overview of Proposed Naming Process
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-168527.pdf
Attachment 5 - Proposed Timing of Public Engagement Processes
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-168528.pdf
Communications (Committee)
(April 26, 2021) E-mail from Greg Sheehan (EX.Main)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ex/comm/communicationfile-133373.pdf
(June 15, 2021) E-mail from Spencer A. Sandor (EX.Main)
(June 28, 2021) E-mail from Alan Coles (EX.Supp)
(June 28, 2021) E-mail from Emoke Szekeres (EX.Supp)
(June 29, 2021) E-mail from Walter Morgan (EX.Supp)
(June 29, 2021) E-mail from Katherine E. McGuire (EX.Supp)
(June 30, 2021) E-mail from David S. Crawford (EX.Supp)
(July 1, 2021) E-mail from Debra Banks (EX.Supp)
(July 1, 2021) Letter from Dr. Ralph J Daley, President, Grange Community Association Inc. (EX.Supp)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ex/comm/communicationfile-134237.pdf
(July 1, 2021) E-mail from Sam (EX.Supp)
(July 1, 2021) E-mail from Derek Pinder (EX.Supp)
(July 1, 2021) E-mail from Max Allen, President, Grangetown Condominiums at Village by the Grange (EX.Supp)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ex/comm/communicationfile-134240.pdf
(July 2, 2021) E-mail from Joanne Smith (EX.Supp)
(July 2, 2021) E-mail from Sarah Harris (EX.Supp)
(July 2, 2021) E-mail from John De Marco (EX.Supp)
(July 2, 2021) E-mail from A. Mazzucco (EX.Supp)
(July 3, 2021) E-mail from D. Sands (EX.Supp)
(July 4, 2021) E-mail from Rosalind McLean (EX.Supp)
(July 4, 2021) E-mail from Anthony Nolan (EX.Supp)
(July 4, 2021) E-mail from Carol Chung (EX.Supp)
(June 30, 2021) E-mail from Rafal Zacharski (EX.Supp)
(July 5, 2021) E-mail from Elenore Chesnutt (EX.Supp)
(July 5, 2021) E-mail from Rad Popovic (EX.Supp)
(July 2, 2021) Letter from Nadine Spencer, President, Black Business and Professional Association (EX.Supp)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ex/comm/communicationfile-134344.pdf
(July 5, 2021) E-mail from Leslie Katz (EX.New)
(July 5, 2021) E-mail from Lanrick Bennett Jr (EX.New)
(July 5, 2021) E-mail from Audra Williams (EX.New)
(July 5, 2021) Letter from Michelle Munk, Teacher, Toronto District School Board (EX.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ex/comm/communicationfile-134367.pdf
(July 5, 2021) E-mail from John Ralston Saul (EX.New)
(July 5, 2021) Letter from Andrew Lochhead (EX.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ex/comm/communicationfile-134369.pdf
(July 5, 2021) Letter from Michelle Daigle, Assistant Professor, Geography and Planning and Centre for Indigenous Studies, University of Toronto (EX.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ex/comm/communicationfile-134372.pdf
(July 5, 2021) Letter from The Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson (EX.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ex/comm/communicationfile-134373.pdf
(July 5, 2021) Letter from Nura Yunus, Stakeholder Member, Partnership and Accountability Circle Member (EX.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ex/comm/communicationfile-134394.pdf
(July 5, 2021) E-mail from Kay Karbownik (EX.New)
(July 5, 2021) E-mail from Q. Tutton (EX.New)
(July 5, 2021) E-mail from Maarten Sluyter, Secretary, Little Portugal on Dundas BIA (EX.New)
(July 5, 2021) E-mail from Lily Shigetomi (EX.New)
(July 5, 2021) Submission from Melanie Newton (EX.New)
(July 5, 2021) Letter from Adaoma Patterson, President, Jamaican Canadian Association (EX.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ex/comm/communicationfile-134402.pdf
(July 6, 2021) E-mail from Paulo F. Santos (EX.New)
Communications (City Council)
(July 6, 2021) E-mail from Catherine Rutledge (CC.Main)
(July 6, 2021) E-mail from Carol Goldman (CC.Main)
(July 7, 2021) E-mail from Christine Hoile (CC.Main)
(July 7, 2021) E-mail from C.E. (Clare) Crozier (CC.Main)
(July 8, 2021) E-mail from Frank Yue (CC.Supp)
(July 9, 2021) E-mail from Peter Clarke (CC.Supp)
(July 6, 2021) E-mail from Janis Jaffe-White (CC.Supp)
(July 10, 2021) E-mail from Margret E. Beaney (CC.Supp)
(July 11, 2021) E-mail from John De Marco (CC.Supp)
(July 11, 2021) E-mail from Margret E. Beaney (CC.Supp)
(July 12, 2021) E-mail from Mandy Moore (CC.Supp)
(July 12, 2021) Letter from Ralph J. Daley, President, Grange Community Association, Inc. (CC.Supp)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/cc/comm/communicationfile-135010.pdf
(July 12, 2021) Submission from William H. Roberts (CC.Supp)
(July 12, 2021) Submission from William H. Roberts (CC.Supp)
(July 12, 2021) E-mail from Rysia Andrade (CC.Supp)
(July 12, 2021) Letter from Max Allen, President, Grangetown Condominiums at Village by the Grange (CC.Supp)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/cc/comm/communicationfile-135063.pdf
(July 13, 2021) E-mail from Bren War (CC.New)
(July 13, 2021) E-mail from Quenton Tutton (CC.New)
(July 13, 2021) E-mail from Peter Clarke (CC.New)
(July 14, 2021) E-mail from Lisa Jones (CC.New)
(July 13, 2021) E-mail from Marion Crook (CC.New)
(July 14, 2021) E-mail from Lynda Knoll (CC.New)
Motions (City Council)
That City Council refer the item back to the City Manager for further consideration.
Vote (Refer Item) Jul-14-2021 5:01 PM
Result: Lost | Majority Required - EX25.1 - Holyday - motion 1 - Refer the Item |
---|---|
Total members that voted Yes: 9 | Members that voted Yes are Gary Crawford, Michael Ford, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Cynthia Lai, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Jaye Robinson |
Total members that voted No: 16 | Members that voted No are Paul Ainslie, Brad Bradford, Shelley Carroll, Mike Colle, Joe Cressy, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Mike Layton, Nick Mantas, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Michael Thompson, John Tory, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
Total members that were Absent: 1 | Members that were absent are Ana Bailão |
That in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 27, Council Procedures, City Council end the debate on referral of Item EX25.1 and take the vote immediately.
Vote (End Debate) Jul-14-2021 4:57 PM
Result: Lost | Two-Thirds Required - EX25.1 - Carroll - End debate |
---|---|
Total members that voted Yes: 15 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Brad Bradford, Shelley Carroll, Mike Colle, Gary Crawford, Joe Cressy, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Cynthia Lai, Mike Layton, Nick Mantas, Jennifer McKelvie, Gord Perks, Michael Thompson, John Tory |
Total members that voted No: 10 | Members that voted No are Michael Ford, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Josh Matlow, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
Total members that were Absent: 1 | Members that were absent are Ana Bailão |
That:
1. City Council amend Executive Committee Recommendation 6 so that it now reads as follows:
6. City Council authorize the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services, in consultation with Ward Councillors, the Recognition Review interdivisional working group and other City divisions and agencies as appropriate, to process applications for new street names received between October 1, 2020 and July 15, 2021, only where a new street name is required to proceed with development, in such cases following the current Street Naming Policy and a review against the draft City of Toronto Principles for Commemoration in the Public Realm, included as Attachment 1 to the report (June 18, 2021) from the City Manager, despite the previous moratorium on naming or renaming of streets and other civic properties, in order to test the practical application of the draft City of Toronto Principles for Commemoration in the Public Realm, included as Attachment 1 to the report (June 18, 2021) from the City Manager.
2. City Council amend Executive Committee Recommendation 8 so that it now reads as follows:
8. City Council approve the name "Freemon Redmon Circle" to identify the proposed public private street at 971-979 Warden Avenue and City Council deem that notice of the proposed naming was given by the publication of the Executive Committee agenda.
3. City Council direct that the cost to install the required street name signage for Freemon Redmon Circle be borne by the applicant, and that the owners and successors of the subject street will maintain, at their own risk, the installed signage.
4. City Council request the City Manager to work with the proposed Community Advisory Committee to consider recommending different names for Old Dundas Street, Dundas Square, and the various civic assets currently named for Dundas to reflect Toronto's rich culture, heritage and diversity.
Vote (Amend Item) Jul-14-2021 5:51 PM
Result: Carried | Majority Required - EX25.1 - Thompson - motion 2 |
---|---|
Total members that voted Yes: 23 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Brad Bradford, Shelley Carroll, Mike Colle, Gary Crawford, Joe Cressy, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Mike Layton, Nick Mantas, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Michael Thompson, John Tory, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
Total members that voted No: 1 | Members that voted No are Michael Ford |
Total members that were Absent: 2 | Members that were absent are Cynthia Lai, Jaye Robinson |
That:
1. City Council amend Executive Committee Recommendation 2 by adding the words "including Business Improvement Areas and Residents Associations" after the word "communities" so that it now reads as follows:
2. City Council direct the City Manager to convene a Community Advisory Committee made up of Black and Indigenous leaders and representatives from the diverse communities, including Business Improvement Areas and Residents Associations represented along Dundas Street to develop and seek community input on potential new names for Dundas Street and other City-owned assets bearing the Dundas name, and report back to the Executive Committee with recommended names by the second quarter of 2022.
2. Subject to the adoption of Executive Committee Recommendation 2 above, City Council direct the City Manager to develop a full cost recovery program related to changing the name of Dundas street for any business, regardless of their participation in a Business Improvement Area, including tangible costs related to re-branding and/or exterior signage, digital marketing and domain name changes as part of the transition plan to be presented to the Executive Committee in the second quarter of 2022.
3. City Council express its desire to further advance racial and social justice as identified in the Recognition Review Project Update and Response to the Dundas Street Renaming Petition and direct the City Manager to report to the Executive Committee and through the 2022 Budget process, with a comprehensive list of programs, services and policies which City Council has previously adopted and endorsed which remain currently underfunded and unfunded but necessary to ensure community health, social well-being and prosperity of equity seeking groups and people living with vulnerabilities.
Vote (Amend Item) Jul-14-2021 5:52 PM
Result: Carried | Majority Required - EX25.1 - Wong-Tam - motion 3 |
---|---|
Total members that voted Yes: 21 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Brad Bradford, Shelley Carroll, Mike Colle, Gary Crawford, Joe Cressy, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Stephen Holyday, Mike Layton, Nick Mantas, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Michael Thompson, John Tory, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
Total members that voted No: 3 | Members that voted No are Michael Ford, Mark Grimes, Denzil Minnan-Wong |
Total members that were Absent: 2 | Members that were absent are Cynthia Lai, Jaye Robinson |
Vote (Adopt Item as Amended) Jul-14-2021 5:53 PM
Result: Carried | Majority Required - EX25.1 - Adopt the Item as amended |
---|---|
Total members that voted Yes: 17 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Brad Bradford, Shelley Carroll, Mike Colle, Joe Cressy, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Mike Layton, Nick Mantas, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Michael Thompson, John Tory, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
Total members that voted No: 7 | Members that voted No are Gary Crawford, Michael Ford, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak |
Total members that were Absent: 2 | Members that were absent are Cynthia Lai, Jaye Robinson |
Councillor Thompson, on a Point of Privilege, stated that Deputy Mayor Minnan-Wong, during his questions to the City Manager, referred to a City staff member as "a woman who was answering questions", and if the Deputy Mayor needed to know her name, it is Cheryl Blackman, who is the Acting General Manager of Economic Development and Culture, and requested that courtesy be offered to staff.
EX25.1 - Recognition Review Project Update and Response to the Dundas Street Renaming Petition
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
Committee Recommendations
The Executive Committee recommends that:
1. City Council direct the City Manager to initiate a public engagement process to seek input on the draft City of Toronto Principles for Commemoration in the Public Realm, included as Attachment 1 to the report (June 18, 2021) from the City Manager and to report back to the Executive Committee with recommendations for a new framework and implementation plan to guide how the City commemorates public figures and events in street and place names, monuments and other civic assets by the second quarter of 2022.
2. City Council direct the City Manager to convene a Community Advisory Committee made up of Black and Indigenous leaders and representatives from the diverse communities represented along Dundas Street to develop and seek community input on potential new names for Dundas Street and other City-owned assets bearing the Dundas name, and report back to the Executive Committee with recommended names by the second quarter of 2022.
3. Subject to the adoption of Recommendation 2 above, City Council direct the City Manager to develop a transition plan to support Dundas Street residents and businesses impacted by the name change, and include this plan as part of the report to the Executive Committee in the second quarter of 2022.
4. Subject to the adoption of Recommendation 2 above, City Council direct impacted City divisions and agencies to include costs related to renaming Dundas Street as part of their 2022 and 2023 Budget submissions.
5. City Council direct the City Manager to explore options to reduce the cost of renaming streets and civic assets and include the results in the upcoming new framework and implementation plan.
6. City Council authorize the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services, in consultation with Ward Councillors and other City divisions and agencies as appropriate, to process applications for new street names received between October 1, 2020 and July 15, 2021, despite the previous moratorium on naming or renaming of streets and other civic properties, in order to test the practical application of the draft City of Toronto Principles for Commemoration in the Public Realm, included as Attachment 1 to the report (June 18, 2021) from the City Manager.
7. City Council authorize the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, in consultation with the Director, Indigenous Affairs Office and the City Librarian, to investigate options for naming the community recreation centre to be located at 100 Ethennonnhawahstihnen' Lane, in alignment with draft City of Toronto Principles for Commemoration in the Public Realm in Attachment 1 to the report (June 18, 2021) from the City Manager , and in coordination with the Toronto Public Library's process for naming the new on-site library branch, despite the previous moratorium on naming or renaming of streets and other civic properties, and to recommend a name to the North York Community Council by the fourth quarter of 2021.
8. City Council approve the name "Freemon Redmon Circle" to identify the proposed public street at 971-979 Warden Avenue.
Origin
Summary
In June 2020, City Council received a petition signed by close to 14,000 individuals calling for Dundas Street[1] to be renamed, citing its namesake Henry Dundas' role in delaying the abolition of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Subsequently, in September 2020, City Council approved a consultation and research plan to explore four potential options for responding to the petition: doing nothing (which was not recommended by staff); maintaining the street names with additional interpretation; maintaining the street names but changing the names of other civic assets bearing Dundas' name; and a full renaming of the streets and civic assets carrying the Dundas name.
The petition has led to a broader review of how the City commemorates public figures and events in place names, monuments and other civic assets, with Council directing the City Manager to develop an overall commemorative framework for the City, including guiding principles for naming/renaming and other forms of commemoration. To better reflect this expanded scope, the project is now called the Recognition Review.
A key objective of the Recognition Review is to examine and respond to how systemic racism and discrimination may be embedded in place names and City assets. Public commemorations – including monuments, plaques, and the naming of streets, parks and other civic properties – reflect community values through how we choose to collectively honour the past and shape the future. The City of Toronto communicates a core value through its motto, "Diversity Our Strength". However, most commemorations in Toronto represent the stories of white settler males in positions of power. This historic imbalance has meant that other stories – including those of Indigenous Peoples, Black communities, racialized communities, women, 2SLGBTQ+ persons, and other equity-deserving groups – are underrepresented in the public realm. Developing a new commemorative framework to address this imbalance will have a positive long-term impact for the City by building the foundation for a stronger, more inclusive Toronto through an intentional, equitable and community-centred approach to consultation, naming and commemoration.
To begin this work, staff have developed draft guiding principles for a new commemorative framework (included in Attachment 1) to encourage greater equity and inclusion in place-making, promote a broader understanding of history and its legacy within communities, and confront the legacy of colonialism and systemic racism. This report recommends that staff seek public feedback on these principles, and test the practical application of the principles to name selected new streets and civic assets in the coming months while the moratorium on further naming and renaming of City properties previously directed by Council remains in place. A recommendation for the first street to be named in alignment with the draft principles is included as part of this report. This report recommends assigning the name "Freemon Redmon Circle" to a new public street at 971-979 Warden Avenue, which requires a name prior to occupancy on August 1, 2021. A new corporate framework for commemoration in the public realm, incorporating the guiding principles, updates to related policies and programs, and considerations for implementation will be recommended to Council in Q2 2022.
Responding to the Dundas Street petition is a foundational step in the Recognition Review. Following the September report to Council, City staff engaged an independent firm with extensive experience working with equity-deserving communities to develop a public consultation plan for the project. As part of this preparatory work, the City and its consultants hosted discovery sessions with Black and Indigenous community leaders, Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) located along Dundas Street, and Black business owners and entrepreneurs across Toronto to seek feedback on the proposed options for responding to the petition and strategies for engaging the broader public. Staff also met with Dundas Street resident associations as part of this initial work. In addition, City staff conducted an extensive review of academic research on Dundas' role in abolition and over 400 global case studies on the evolution of commemoration and naming policies.
Based on feedback from discovery sessions with Black and Indigenous community leaders and business groups, the findings of peer-reviewed academic research, and trends in global case studies, it is very clear that engaging the public on any option other than a full renaming of Dundas Street and civic assets runs counter to the commitments Council has made to equity, reconciliation and inclusion. The continued commemoration of Henry Dundas – who is described in peer-reviewed academic research as having played an instrumental role in delaying the abolition of the slave trade – is in direct conflict with the values of equity and inclusion that the City of Toronto upholds. Taking steps to right wrongs, challenge systemic institutionalized racism, and build a more inclusive Toronto is more important than ever. Addressing the historical legacy of Dundas Street is one of these steps.
This report therefore recommends that Council support a process to rename Dundas Street and other civic assets bearing Dundas' name, with guidance from a Community Advisory Committee made up of Black and Indigenous residents and business owners. The Advisory Committee will develop a shortlist of potential names with community input as part of a commitment to healing, and recommend new names for Dundas Street and other civic assets for consideration by City Council by Q2 2022. It is estimated that the new names for the street and civic assets could be put in place approximately one year after their approval by Council.
A key component of this work will be the development of a transition plan to support impacted residents and businesses. Dundas Street is home to over 97,000 residents and 4,500 businesses. The transition plan will include strategies to make the change as easy as possible for these residents and businesses, such as automatic mail forwarding arranged by Canada Post; working with search engines to update online results for businesses; and identifying specific supports for vulnerable residents. Most address changes can be made at no cost, though businesses could incur additional expenses to update materials such as letterhead, and approximately 60 businesses with Dundas in their name may incur further costs related to re-branding and signage should they choose to change their names as well. Businesses within BIAs that update their exterior signage to reflect a name change could be eligible for funding through the existing Commercial Façade Improvement Program, which covers up to 50% of eligible expenses.
The petition to rename Dundas Street has been the most prominent example of public calls for change about how we commemorate historic figures and events in Toronto. However, other commemorative street names, place names and monuments have also been critiqued for honouring subjects that are no longer considered to be reflective of the city's contemporary values. Staff are aware of approximately 60 other street names, primarily small local roads, which could require further examination, including at least 12 streets named after slave owners. While the previously-approved moratorium on further naming/renaming of streets and removal of monuments remains in place, the City has an opportunity to consider an approach to addressing questions related to existing place names and monuments that will examine each asset individually with an historic review, community input and opportunities to educate and celebrate Toronto's commitments to equity for all. The new commemorative framework, to be presented to Council in 2022, will help guide the City’s decision-making on the range of potential responses, and will detail resource implications for reviewing existing assets.
[1] For the purposes of this report, "Dundas Street" refers to Dundas Street (East and West), Old Dundas Street (a local road east and west of the Humber River, south of Dundas Street West), and Dundas Square (a local road south of Yonge-Dundas Square).
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-168523.pdf
Attachment 1 - Draft City of Toronto Principles for Commemoration in the Public Realm
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-168524.pdf
Attachment 2 - Proposed Engagement Strategies for Commemorative Principles
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-168525.pdf
Attachment 3 - Naming of a New Public Street at 971-979 Warden Avenue
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-168526.pdf
Attachment 4 - Overview of Proposed Naming Process
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-168527.pdf
Attachment 5 - Proposed Timing of Public Engagement Processes
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-168528.pdf
Communications
(April 26, 2021) E-mail from Greg Sheehan (EX.Main)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ex/comm/communicationfile-133373.pdf
(June 15, 2021) E-mail from Spencer A. Sandor (EX.Main)
(June 28, 2021) E-mail from Alan Coles (EX.Supp)
(June 28, 2021) E-mail from Emoke Szekeres (EX.Supp)
(June 29, 2021) E-mail from Walter Morgan (EX.Supp)
(June 29, 2021) E-mail from Katherine E. McGuire (EX.Supp)
(June 30, 2021) E-mail from David S. Crawford (EX.Supp)
(July 1, 2021) E-mail from Debra Banks (EX.Supp)
(July 1, 2021) Letter from Dr. Ralph J Daley, President, Grange Community Association Inc. (EX.Supp)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ex/comm/communicationfile-134237.pdf
(July 1, 2021) E-mail from Sam (EX.Supp)
(July 1, 2021) E-mail from Derek Pinder (EX.Supp)
(July 1, 2021) E-mail from Max Allen, President, Grangetown Condominiums at Village by the Grange (EX.Supp)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ex/comm/communicationfile-134240.pdf
(July 2, 2021) E-mail from Joanne Smith (EX.Supp)
(July 2, 2021) E-mail from Sarah Harris (EX.Supp)
(July 2, 2021) E-mail from John De Marco (EX.Supp)
(July 2, 2021) E-mail from A. Mazzucco (EX.Supp)
(July 3, 2021) E-mail from D. Sands (EX.Supp)
(July 4, 2021) E-mail from Rosalind McLean (EX.Supp)
(July 4, 2021) E-mail from Anthony Nolan (EX.Supp)
(July 4, 2021) E-mail from Carol Chung (EX.Supp)
(June 30, 2021) E-mail from Rafal Zacharski (EX.Supp)
(July 5, 2021) E-mail from Elenore Chesnutt (EX.Supp)
(July 5, 2021) E-mail from Rad Popovic (EX.Supp)
(July 2, 2021) Letter from Nadine Spencer, President, Black Business and Professional Association (EX.Supp)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ex/comm/communicationfile-134344.pdf
(July 5, 2021) E-mail from Leslie Katz (EX.New)
(July 5, 2021) E-mail from Lanrick Bennett Jr (EX.New)
(July 5, 2021) E-mail from Audra Williams (EX.New)
(July 5, 2021) Letter from Michelle Munk, Teacher, Toronto District School Board (EX.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ex/comm/communicationfile-134367.pdf
(July 5, 2021) E-mail from John Ralston Saul (EX.New)
(July 5, 2021) Letter from Andrew Lochhead (EX.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ex/comm/communicationfile-134369.pdf
(July 5, 2021) Letter from Michelle Daigle, Assistant Professor, Geography and Planning and Centre for Indigenous Studies, University of Toronto (EX.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ex/comm/communicationfile-134372.pdf
(July 5, 2021) Letter from The Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson (EX.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ex/comm/communicationfile-134373.pdf
(July 5, 2021) Letter from Nura Yunus, Stakeholder Member, Partnership and Accountability Circle Member (EX.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ex/comm/communicationfile-134394.pdf
(July 5, 2021) E-mail from Kay Karbownik (EX.New)
(July 5, 2021) E-mail from Q. Tutton (EX.New)
(July 5, 2021) E-mail from Maarten Sluyter, Secretary, Little Portugal on Dundas BIA (EX.New)
(July 5, 2021) E-mail from Lily Shigetomi (EX.New)
(July 5, 2021) Submission from Melanie Newton (EX.New)
(July 5, 2021) Letter from Adaoma Patterson, President, Jamaican Canadian Association (EX.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ex/comm/communicationfile-134402.pdf
(July 6, 2021) E-mail from Paulo F. Santos (EX.New)
Speakers
Justice Faith Betty, Co-Chair of the City of Toronto's Confronting Anti-Black Racism
Andrew Lochhead, Let’s Rename Dundas Street Petition
Melanie J. Newton, University of Toronto
Ravi Joshi
Lon Palmer
Doug Carroll
The Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson
John De Marco
Dr. Heidi Bohaker, Department of History, University of Toronto
Rosalind McLean
Dr. Stephen Mullen, Scottish History, School of Humanities
Miranda Black, Ryerson University
Dori Tunstall, Ontario College of Art and Design
Max Allen, Grangetown Condominiums at Village by the Grange
Michelle Munk, École Queen Alexandra Middle School
John Ralston Saul
Motions
That:
1. The Executive Committee amend Recommendation 2 by adding the words "and representatives from the diverse communities represented along Dundas Street" so that it now reads:
2. City Council direct the City Manager to convene a Community Advisory Committee made up of Black and Indigenous leaders and representatives from the diverse communities represented along Dundas Street to develop and seek community input on potential new names for Dundas Street and other City-owned assets bearing the Dundas name, and report back to Executive Committee with recommended names by the second quarter of 2022.
2. City Council direct the City Manager to explore options to reduce the cost of renaming streets and civic assets and include the results in the upcoming new framework and implementation plan.
Vote (Adopt Item as Amended) Jul-06-2021
Result: Carried | Majority Required - EX25.1 - Adopt the Item as amended |
---|---|
Total members that voted Yes: 6 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Gary Crawford, Jennifer McKelvie, Michael Thompson, John Tory (Chair) |
Total members that voted No: 0 | Members that voted No are |
Total members that were Absent: 2 | Members that were absent are Denzil Minnan-Wong, James Pasternak |