A new sign at Dundas Subway Station reveals a baffling contradiction. Despite the effort to remove the name Dundas due to unsubstantiated allegations, the word remains prominently displayed. The station now features “TMU” in large letters, with “Dundas Street” positioned directly below in a still-noticeable font.
For five years, Toronto has been consumed by a debate over the name Dundas, extending to streets, stations, and libraries. The outcome, however, feels incomplete – a removal in name only, leaving the historical identifier stubbornly in place.
Mayor Olivia Chow and Councillor Chris Moise championed the name change, relying on demonstrably false information. Chow asserted that Dundas “delayed the cancelation and the abolition of slavery,” a claim that fundamentally misrepresents historical events.
The historical record shows Henry Dundas actually proposed a bill in 1792 aimed at the *gradual* abolition of slavery – the most viable option for achieving any progress at the time. While ultimately defeated by those advocating for immediate abolition or the preservation of the status quo, it represented an attempt to curtail the practice years before it was officially outlawed.
Accusations of Dundas being a slave owner were also levied, further fueling the push for removal. This narrative, embraced by both Chow and Moise, disregarded the complexities of his actions and the historical context.
The stated rationale for the change – that “names hold power, symbols matter” – rings hollow when the name itself persists on signage. This feels less like a genuine commitment to justice and more like a performative gesture, devoid of meaningful impact.
Council originally instructed that the renaming should result in the complete removal of the name “Dundas” from the station. The current signage clearly fails to meet this directive, highlighting a disconnect between intention and execution.
The city maintains the renaming will not burden taxpayers, utilizing funds from developer contributions – Section 37 funds earmarked for community improvements. However, diverting these funds to the renaming means they are unavailable for other vital projects.
The estimated cost of the station renaming alone is around $400,000, with the TTC potentially facing expenses as high as $2.2 million. This includes updating electronic maps on subway cars, physical maps within stations, and recorded announcements.
These substantial costs are particularly concerning given the city’s struggles to deliver basic services effectively. The entire renaming process was flawed from the start, and its botched implementation only compounds the error.
