We are asking Toronto’s citizenry to write to their councillors and Mayor Chow to ask them to halt their plan to change the name of Dundas Street.This plan is anticipated to cost more than 8 million dollars, which Toronto cannot afford.  Additionally, it is based on highly debatable research and conclusions about the person after whom the street is named.

Here is a template you may wish to use to write to the Mayor (or to your councillor with necessary revisions):

Dear Mayor Chow,

I am writing to ask you to reconsider the decision to rename Dundas Street. The evidence supporting this initiative is extremely weak or possibly non-existent. From what I have read, the city would be spending millions of dollars to erase from history the memory of a man who may have been trying to help put an end to slavery not support its continuation. I agree that symbolic acts can be meaningful and worthwhile but renaming Dundas Street is not one of these.

You have said that the city is broke. Do you really want to plunge the city millions of dollars deeper into debt to rename a street? In the midst of predictions of a recession, why would the city foist unjustified financial obligations on thousands of small business people who are struggling to stay alive post-COVID? If you have millions of dollars to spend, please spend this money on something that will improve the lives of Torontonians in need of help. Take the Dundas money and use it to benefit people who are struggling with homelessness or addiction, on services for assaulted women, affordable housing or public transportation. Please prioritize meeting real needs over symbolic acts of very dubious value.

Please be the leader we need. Reconsider this decision and do what is right for the people of Toronto.

Sincerely, 

XXX. -END of TEMPLATE

Addendum - Please note:

The City has already responded to some of us who have objected to this wasteful proposal as set out below, indicating that your voices need to be heard ASAP if there is to be any hope of reversing this decision:

The City’s response: ”In continued collaboration with the Community Advisory Committee's input and assistance, the City intends to release the shortlist of names for public feedback in the fall of 2023. Subsequently, based on insights from public surveys and thorough research into the historical significance and usage of each name, the Committee members will proceed to select a proposed new name (or names) for the street and/or square. These selections will then be presented to the City Council for deliberation in early 2024. Concurrently, updated cost estimates will be presented alongside the report to the City Council.”