72% of Toronto residents oppose Yonge-Dundas Square being renamed to Sankofa
By Isaac Lamoureux
A majority of Toronto residents disapprove of the renaming of Yonge-Dundas Square to Sankofa Square, according to a new poll released by Liaison Strategies.
The latest poll starkly contrasts the Toronto City Council’s decision, revealing that 72% of Toronto residents disapprove of the renaming.
This move by the council has already led to significant backlash, including the resignation of Mike Fenton, the chair of the square’s management board, over concerns about the rushed process and lack of public involvement.
An earlier survey by Liaison in October indicated a 54% approval rate among residents for the Dundas name change. However, this support declined to 42% once respondents were informed about the financial implications. The estimated expense for renaming the street and all associated landmarks is projected to reach a staggering $12.7 million, as outlined in a report by the city manager.
“The question was always going to be, though, what would Dundas Street be renamed to? There is slim support though for renaming Yonge-Dundas to Sankofa,” said David Valentin, principal of Liaison Strategies, according to CityNews.
In his resignation letter, Mike Fenton criticized the naming process for its lack of a consistent, public review and disjointed approach.
Councillor Chris Moise, who proposed the Sankofa name, found Fenton’s resignation surprising and defended the last-minute timing of his motion due to scheduling issues. However, the word Sankofa is linked to a Ghanaian tribe with connections to the slave trade themselves.