Toronto's Yonge-Dundas Square is Being Renamed to... WHAT?

[@chrism.9429]

You said it Johnny. What a waste of public funds to change Dundas Square’s name. Why not use those million$ to help the people in need struggling within that very same neighbourhood.

[@bridgindagapinitiative155]

It is not public funds it is private funds form money allocated from the UN Decade of People of African decent - they already said this on the Toronto page

[@robmil2012]

@@bridgindagapinitiative155 Speaking with reporters Wednesday, Moise said Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) has agreed to pick up the entire $1.7 million cost of renaming Dundas subway station if it is named after the university.

[@UpTopFlame]

It’s funny… anything done in reconciliation of Black people is always seen as a "waste" of money or not worth the effort. Yonge and Dundas square was named after a racist man who aided in the oppression black people. The renaming of the square is a worth undertaking because the name has a beautiful meaning and shows penitence. The only people who take issue with the renaming of the square are those who don’t like Black people

[@steve0the0end]

@@UpTopFlame that basically everyone

[@peters5333]

While some on council see it as a safe, soft way to rename Y-D Square, what connection does Ghana have with Toronto? Using the taxpayers money (and we all know there is a major shortfall) and unilaterally spending money to re-identify 4 different sites shows the arrogance of these so called politicians. It was pointed out that Dundas did in fact work to abolish slavery but that message seems to have been lost. Bottom like is its sneaky at worst and shows how those that think they are progressive in this instance, are out of touch. Someone earlier today pointed out the countless bars and music establishments just north of the square featured some legendary musicians that played on Yonge in the 1960's. Gordon Lightfoot. Joni Mitchell. Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks (who became The Band), the brilliant David Clayton-Thomas and many more. Would Lightfoot Square not be more appropriate if you were going to go this route? And what of Bond Place Hotel. Soon to be a homeless hotel permanently. Think naming it Sankofa Square will change all that? It can backfire in the biggest way. I agree with you John about the Skydome. Ironic in that just before you stated it in the video that's what I was thinking of as an example. When I lived in Toronto in the late 80's one of my friends was an engineer for Ellis-Don and we took a somewhat illegal tour of ...the Skydome in November 1988. I went to see baseball and premier league football at ...the Skydome. Not Rogers Centre. I saw hockey games at Maple Leaf Gardens. Not Mattamy Athletic Centre. The Beach was The Beaches. It comes down to politicians that want to be seen doing something. Something ineffective.

[@JJDean976]

Gordon Lightfoot Square is a great idea!

[@peters5333]

@@JJDean976 JJ, it honors music and musicians and celebration. And musicians that are Canadian who helped show the rest of the world what talent we have in our great country. No agenda. And what Toronto...yes, Toronto....produced. No fake Times Square imitation. ....just sayin. something the city can be proud of too

[@EVIL-C]

​@@peters5333Funny, cause music is often inherently political. As someone who actually lives in Toronto, so I have stake in this, I'm surprised council didn't pick an indigenous name native to Turtle Island, which is at least relevant in the Canadian context, plus truly has no hidden "agenda", at least not to any reasonable person.

[@purpl3grape]

​@@EVIL-C The suggested name sounds like an overcompensation move. That or whoever suggested the name is definitely not qualified to do so, if that's even possible.

[@yaya2006]

The beauty of Toronto TODAY is that 62%of it's residents were not born in Canada making it the most vibrant multicultural metropolitan city in the world. The name Sankofa will be welcome but few will oppose it and their noise will have no effect at all. The name is already printed and you will see it soon shining its light in the square aka Sankofa Square. I am not going to tell you that you should have done some research and learn about it before you posted because I am sure you know why it came to exist but you chose to ignore the suffering of black Torontonians throght the history. Your posting tells it all about you, Mr.

[@stevenvallarsa1765]

It's another case of politicians misreading the public's mood. We all want to do the right thing, but renaming a treasured city asset because of who someone was 200 years ago is just plain dumb. And for a city's that's broke, the cost of all these renames is preposterous. Hopefully the people of Toronto speak their minds and this idiotic idea gets nipped in the bud for now. Maybe sometime in the future this can be revisited, but not now.

[@NanaDots]

I agree with Steven vallarsa1765. Nearly every City has a Dundas St & another popular name in many Cities or towns is Main St. Just examples. It doesn't need fixing. Will cost too much. Put the $$$$ towards more worthy causes. 👎

[@boomgraham]

ummmm.....having said what I said, i used my google machine to find out what all the fuss was aboot and I see that Lord Dundas was a douche and the square and street should be renamed ...BUT, I agree with Johnny that city could sell the option to rename to a corporate sponser...like Williams Sonoma Square....or Square Boy Square, or Imperial Pub Parquet, or Formerly the home of the Hard Rock Cafe,...or even harken to an earlier era, or, as it was named in 2007 (Corporate Sponsor precedent) the Toronto Life Square....anyway, I think I could support the World's Biggest Jean Store, where I actually bought jeans back in the day and somehow offended no one in the process...

[@emilalakbarov2547]

Sankofa Square, just doesn't sound right.....

[@Yahiathetransitguy]

it really doesn't just name it light foot square

[@abrahamdozer6273]

It's utterly meaningless in the Canadian context.

[@NightOwwl728]

Put me down for renaming it to Zanzibar Square. "Meet you at the Zanzibar. No, no...the square."

[@sepandttcexplorer]

Thanks for the update! Well done on your explanation Johnny! I was so surprised that there gonna rename Yonge and Dundas square to Sankofa square!

[@juliechaston]

Agree with you one million percent... absolutely ridiculous to spend that amount of money. And although the new name may make sense within what they're trying to do, I do not understand why a Canadian name/word wasn't used... seems like a bit of an insult rather than a positive thing! Or - like you said - sell the naming rights and make back some of the cost.

[@yaya2006]

Dundas wasn't canadian, he was British and he never set foot in Canada before.

[@canman5060]

@@yaya2006 Dundas is a Scottish name and he is one of the early surveyor of Toronto ! Please wake up.

[@ridgwayorais8429]

Leave it as it is if you have to spend $2.7 million to rename it. Better spend that money to our homeless people to support them.

[@hyperphenomenal4360]

Madness of wokeness Canada is going to hell People should resist all this kind of non sense, ask right questions like how we can make housing more affordable, prices are skyrocketing

[@acetradamus]

end wokeness, this is a plague

[@intuitiveimprints]

I agree!

[@lisadeeyoung]

They could have just used a tiny fraction of the funds to create a historical monument reframing the history and making a space for thoughtful conversation and learning. Very few people will remember this renaming for anything other than this. It's a lost opportunity and a waste of money.

[@gregamania1327]

You are being conquered and replaced. They hate you and everything you stand for. That's the conversation.

[@jennifergala]

How about name it Gordon Lightfoot square.

[@matzrat5006]

Now thats a great Idea.

[@MisterMister5893]

Why stop there, why not Celine Dion Square, Barenaked Ladies Center, The Name Neutral Square?

[@Dstew57A]

No thats to racist..renaming for a white man? Come on ..In this day and age

[@matzrat5006]

@@MisterMister5893 Gordon lightfoot provided more to the Canadian Landscape than anyone one else.

[@buckaroo1949]

Too Canadian. sarc

[@purpl3grape]

Whoever suggested this name is overcompensating for something... It just seems so forced and unnatural to name it as such.

[@KirbyAllen-s5l]

Wikipedia: "From 1776-78, Dundas acted as counsel to an escaped slave. The result was a landmark decision that declared that no person could be a slave on Scottish soil. In 1792, the motion for immediate cessation of the slave trade was heading for certain defeat. By inserting the word "gradual" into the motion, Dundas ensured a successful vote for the ultimate abolition of the trade in slaves." Wikipedia: "In parts of Ghana, shrine slavery still persists, despite being illegal since 1998. Child trafficking is also widespread - for fishing, mining, farming, domestic servitude and prostitution."

[@marquefan1]

Wokism thrives on virtue signalling.

[@SS-vs2nz]

The Akan folks themselves were prolific slavers and slave traders. Its almost comical if not for the fact its a serious subject matter

[@clementasampana4402]

@@SS-vs2nzthey were not slave traders! In fact some were used for that act! Prior to the arrival of Europeans on Akan soil, the Akans were acephalous people and they weren’t into slavery! The Europeans gave guns to some few Akans to raid slaves for them.

[@thesmokinpot]

I’ll also never stop using the name Dundas.

[@donnaogorman4935]

Geez. That money couldn't be used to work in the homeless problem. GOD FORBID.

[@brianmcdonald6519]

Not just the homeless, but also the affordable housing crisis!! Money going to waste that could be used to solve some problems!!

[@donnaogorman4935]

​@@brianmcdonald6519mOf course Brian. everything is linked. Worked in City Hall and Metro Hall for 34 years....things have gone downhill so much. oooo I could say so much more..... Maybe one day they will clue in. History is History you can't erase it. It is there to teach us a lesson and make sure it doesn't happen again.

[@intuitiveimprints]

This is absolutely ridiculous!

[@ronaldmackee3401]

Even renaming it to Neil Peart Sq. makes more sense.

[@robmil2012]

AGREED 😊 He did more for Toronto than the mayor 😊

[@sticklerforchange]

Why not just name it Reflection Square, if that is what Sankofa means.

[@canman5060]

Name of a Antarctic Polar Bear !

[@monicapushkin3274]

This is NOT a done deal. It needs to be STOPPED NOW, along with all future woke re-naming projects. Write your councillor and tell them what you think.

[@canuck3169]

The woke, choosing a word from a nation that actively sold slaves, and complained when the trade was stopped.

[@Gurtejbauer24]

This is slap in the face for everyone who goes to Yonge-Dundas Square everyday

[@jamesdonovan6340]

Given Trudeau's vision for Canada, let's rename it Red Square

[@funkydung.]

keep it the same name and Move on

[@62Cristoforo]

This Square embodies perfectly everything that went wrong with this city.

[@62Cristoforo]

Most people would be surprised to learn Dundas Square is actually private property controlled by a private company, and anyone can be arrested for trespassing on it at any time. The City owns the property, but sold the rights to a private company to manage.

[@MrDigitalman78]

Sankofa, a Ghanaian word meaning to reflect and return. It's a bit of history here. Even ancient times, Ghanaian kings and queen's sold their people, my ancestors to white European slave traders, although I'm mixed race. But I'm with you, Johnny. I disagree with the renaming of Dundas Sq to that. Henry Dundas, a Scotsman, helped to abolish slavery in the British empire in the 18th century.

[@thesmokinpot]

Thank you

[@DavidHalverson]

Save the Toronto taxpayers billions of dollars by renaming Yonge-Dundas Square to simply the Cadillac-Fairview Square.

[@anteres9821]

What on earth is "Sankofa?" Sorry but this should have been a city vote not a committee vote. I will never call it that.

[@ArcGlowingVision]

Horrific. Dundas square should absolutely stay named in the theme of Canada. Africa and Canada are two very different cultures. This is the hub of this country. Who are the people that had to bring slavery into this renaming push?

[@butchdean]

Taking Times Square as an example, they aimed it after the iconic New York Times newspaper. As you said, sell the naming rights to something similarly iconic to Canadians. Naming it after some random word from somewhere that 99 percent won’t have any idea what it means anyway is a complete waste.

[@alemacgirl]

Crazy

[@margd77]

The city has a budget deficit and it's wasting taxpayer money on this? There are other priorities in the city that are more important, like housing affordability or homelessness. It will always be Dundas Square to me, regardless of what they name it. I agree that Toronto Square would have been a better choice for a name. Sankofa means "to go back and get it." City hall should "go back and get it right."

[@foxmercuryearthylog120]

I think it will backfire on them eventually, they really took liberties with the naming of this square. Renaming it Toronto Square, if it was to be renamed at all, would be a more natural option. Claiming in one breath, that Dundas has no connection to Canada, but at the same time naming the square after a obscure Ghana word, where slavery persists today, is so nuts.

[@zaraboz999]

Couldn't we just use a flower or a bird or something that doesn't cause controversy?

[@redman958]

What's crazy is that it was all based on lies. Dundas was an abolitionist. He proposed a "gradual" end to slavery because he feared slavery would go underground if it was ended immediately. Also the motion to end slavery immediately had already been rejected so he had to negotiate to get it through. The activists lied and made it out like he was trying to resist the abolitionist movement. "Human nature, my Lords, spurns at the thought of slavery among any part of our species." - Henry Dundas

[@mrtransitfan647]

I am really not happy about this, just wasting money to rename Yonge Dundas Square and 2 Subway Stations!!

[@Polara1524]

@@mrtransitfan647 I strongly agree with you! This new name isn't even Canadian or represents Toronto or Ontario in any way!

[@canuck3169]

WTF does Ghana have to do with Canada. If you’re going to rename the square at least use an indigenous name.

[@gregamania1327]

Indigenous had nothing to do with building Toronto.

[@monicapushkin3274]

Ghana and Canada have two letters in common. That's it.

[@canuck3169]

@@gregamania1327 The land originally belonged to the natives; the name comes from the Mohawk word “Tkaronto. Ghana had nothing to do with the building of Toronto, and was a slaving nation.

[@Christina24life]

What a waste of time and money. Politicians will do everything but what’s needed.

[@sticklerforchange]

It sounds like a coffee brand. The Ryerson re-brand was even worse. Skydome was brilliant but the egos of that family just had to put their name on it.

[@steve0the0end]

“Renaming advisory committee” is a group of chair fillers wasting tax dollars

[@JohnnyStrides]

And they didn't even consult the public lol

[@peternesbitt]

Almost every city and town in Ontario is named after a British influence, London, Windsor, Cambridge, Stratford, Kingston and others so I guess we have to change all their names so we don't offend all the immigrants moving here. Maybe they will change Canada to New Africa.

[@marquefan1]

And the new name honours a tribe that was very much involved in the slave trade. Bunch of woke blabla.

[@kathleendass3798]

Hello Johnny and friends Happy Friday all

[@sepandttcexplorer]

Same to you Kathleen, happy Friday!

[@freeforpaul]

MAKES NO SENSE What a waste of money especially in these tough times

[@robindaniels2987]

I’m going to still call it Dundas square. Just for spite 😡😡stupid waste of OUR tax money

[@WaslonLopes]

I mean that there are a plenty of problems to deal with before these "amenities".

[@user-yv8cn3ot4g]

I think that people who don't like the way Canada is should stay out of Canada and let us be. Keep the millions and billions of dollars for what the Canadian people really need and want. This is Canada not Ghana.

[@TMBpk]

What does Ghana have anything to do with Toronto? There is nothing wrong with the name Dundas - if anything, the history of the particular individual should be highlighted at this square and how we can learn moving forward. I hope Doug Ford steps in and does something about this; this city has a homeless problem and a mental health problem and you have the city wasting billions on some nonsense like this.

[@AlexGetsAroundTO]

I saw myself several times throughout the video lol. Just editing my take as well, great seeing you again!

[@unknownuser0006]

Renaming locations will solve the housing crisis, beLIEve

[@KB-dr5zj]

Why waste that much money when this land has nothing to do with Ghana. Everyone seems to forget those that were in this country first prior to any other culture moving in.

[@urbanadventurestv]

I vote to rename it Johnny Strides Square :p

[@iguana9173]

There making a serious mistake.

[@JordanLoweElevaToursCanada]

A very stupid decision based on city Council. That money could easily go towards upgrades to the city, especially accessibility projects on the TTC.

[@emptynestgardens9057]

Would have been nice had they gotten advice from historians regarding the proposed name and it's origins. What a hot mess!

[@milotherussianblue3691]

I guess Red Square or Tiannemen Square were already taken.

[@monicapushkin3274]

Dundas is not even controversial. He was a GOOD GUY. Anti-slavery. Period. End of story.

[@canuck3169]

He’s a white male; look who’s on the council.

[@corinnelaking569]

Pretty unbelievable waste of tax $. I don't even live there and the wasteful foolishness in the name of "revisionist history" upsets me. I mean, perhaps consulting with a group of original peoples of this territory and ask for their input on an appropriate name?

[@johnnicholson5914]

An African name.I guess the city council can’t think of any great Canadians .Gordon lightfoot or Terry fox would be great

[@J_Djarin]

If any Canadian...push for a Native Canadian.

[@mondocanuck7873]

@@J_Djarin Right, because none of the tribes in North America practiced slavery, rape or ritual torture of members of rival tribes. Oh wait.........

[@XxxXxx-fm3wo]

Make money and sell the naming rights. Pepsi Square! Now use that money for actual affordable housing projects.

[@J_Djarin]

Wow! That's harsh.

[@lbeaton1]

"Oh, Sankofa / High in the heavens you soar / My soul is soon to follow you / back to yesterday's moon ..." Sing it, Cassandra.

[@dawnjohnson9118]

What a waste of money. We have lived in Toronto since the 50's and names were just accepted. It was just a street address. Yes agree a Colossal waste of money. People just use the names they are familiar with. Especially if you are using Dundas square 😂 as a meet up with friends place

[@kennethmregan]

WHAT ? HOW MUCH ? WHY ?

[@fremzter]

Fixing something that's not broken lol

[@ivanamcmullin-8548]

If it is so important to change the name of this square why not honour the First Nation then?

[@Aces77777]

The name should and must remain Dundas!!!! For those who don't like it pay for it!!!!!

[@boostforlife]

Toronto the woke. 👎

[@simonbone]

I'm struggling to find anyone not on the committee who thinks this is a good idea. Sankofa might be a good name for a software company, but it has nothing to do with Toronto.

[@AK.__]

wtf "Sankofa"? Dundas is good name, and if to rename, it should be something sharp-Canadian

[@thesmokinpot]

I still call it SkyDome And Amphitheatre

[@dee1458]

Who the heck decided to push for this rename? WHAT DOES GHANA HAVE TO DO WITH DOWNTOWN TORONTO? *I would have been quite ok if it was renamed to ZANZIBAR SQUARE or BRASS RAIL SQUARE or HOUSE OF LANCASTER SQUARE!*

[@JohnnyStrides]

Those are all... much better names. There's a problem with this comment though... you forgot Filmore's 🤣

[@dee1458]

@@JohnnyStrides How could I forget. Must have been a not so good memory of a 4 minute song ending up being actually just 5 seconds 🙃

[@boomgraham]

JS soo smart to have a corporate sponsor pay for the changing of the name Dundas...I had not thought of that....Another idea.....it seems when we rename things because of historical bad behaviour, we whitewash that behaviour...instead why not retain the name and have a permanent asterisk explaining why the city used the name in the first place and why it was eventually considered a poor choice?

[@BlueMilkJedi]

the Akan people of Ghana, from whom the word “sankofa” comes, were active participants in the slave trade and imported slaves to develop their own economy.

[@jokafaulkner217]

spend the money on looking after the homeless....insane to waste that kind of money on name changes!

[@morgana9981]

It's insanity

[@jelliebean4095]

Totally agree with you, Johnny 💯

[@Advisorit]

Name it after a Canadian instead of a phrase that means nothing to the average person. What was Toronto council thinking and who paid them off. Wrong in every possible way. 👎

[@bnice8940]

What a waste of taxpayers' money! 🤔🤔

[@junethompson3291]

I will always call it Dundas Square

[@martym61]

Thanks for the video. Nice idea, but don't think the name will stick.

[@randomname9758]

It makes sense if you want to virtue signal and pretend to do something and waste taxpayers money. The other idiotic thing is even if they were to do it, they couldn't use an English word to have a similar meaning and instead they chose to use a word from Ghana, literal slave traders ?

[@treebush]

Waste of MY TAX money at least rename it to something in relation to toronto

[@MichellePayneGale]

If we erase all traces of history, how are we supposed to learn from it? I'm grateful for the nod to my ancestors, but this name change sounds performative, especially when that money could go to so many restorative causes...

[@melaniemedeiros4665]

Johnny I saw you on the news

[@folklorestuff1743]

I am angry, disgusted and dismayed. We are losing our history to people who have just arrived and seem to spend their time hanging around for drug deals on that very spot.

[@dukhi_aatma372]

Could have named it to "Toronto Square"

[@monicapushkin3274]

This name will not fly. No one wants it.

[@buckaroo1949]

Expect more of this insanity in the future, you voted for it,

[@CHICOandtheVAN]

Don't let them find out who Sir George Yonge was....

[@marquefan1]

A disgrace to spend so much money to remove the name of an abolitionist from public property instead of maybe spending it on helping homeless. Commentary is excellent. Lol, why not sell the name of the square to a commercial enterprise and call it Molson Square or Bell Canada Square.

[@alexanderchadwick5346]

Sankofa sounds like an oil company. Most people will probably assume it is, which I'm fine with.

[@hunden008]

Saw you on Global!

[@femalecrusader8389]

Changing the name is pointless if need to re-name why not pick animal name or planet, or anything that don't have a human behind it.

[@J_Djarin]

A planet like Uranus?

[@stoddard1953]

@@J_Djarin Uranus Square gets my vote!

[@J_Djarin]

@@stoddard1953 Sounds amazing! Lol

[@gregamania1327]

It's not pointless to the people doing it. They are asserting their dominance.

[@LimitlessThinker]

This would cause confusion for the addresses of all businesses. The postal service and transit system will be dealing with the changes. It's going to be overwhelming, it would seem. It's not a small area, but has always been a major hub.

[@Sheppard87]

We have the same problem in Germany too. Especially in Berlin.

[@skpixieskpixie3346]

waste of tax payer money

[@toybarons]

What a dumb idea!

[@aldosano841]

Who sold slaves to the Portuguese? For over 200 years, powerful kings in what is now the country of Benin captured and sold slaves to Portuguese, French and British merchants. The slaves were usually men, women and children from rival tribes - gagged and jammed into boats bound for Brazil, Haiti and the United States

[@chrisman867]

what was Dundas a horrible racist or something? I only ask because I lived on Dundas Street in 1985, not in Toronto though, but in London, Ontario.

[@chrisman867]

all though is is still the same street. I didn't find out until quite recently that it runs as a highway 5 once you get out of Greater Toronto, through Paris and then as Highway 2 down to Woodstock and reverts back to Dundas Street from Thamesford through the east end of London.

[@canuck3169]

No, he wasn’t a racist-he actually defended a man who wished to obtain his freedom. He was actually an abolitionist, but a practical one. They’re annoyed because he proposed a gradual end to the slave trade. His amendment in 1792 got the bill passed, without it, the bill would have been defeated as it was in 1791.

[@chrisman867]

@@canuck3169 aah okay.

[@robmil2012]

What has this name got to with Canada 😊 NOTHING 😮

[@boomgraham]

Thanks!

[@JohnnyStrides]

Thanks boom!

[@toddboothbee1361]

Why not Billboard Square? Too pedestrian?

[@62Cristoforo]

City councillors would be horrified to discover real Torontonians actually call it N___’a Square, .... ...which makes sense, considering Mali was notoriously and heavily involved in slave trading. And Henry Dundas was, in fact, a slave abolitionist who fought to get rid of slavery. I’ll continue to call it Dundas Square.