Advertisement

Sankofa Square spat: Yonge-Dundas board members resign over renaming

Click to play video: 'Chair, vice-chair of Yonge-Dundas board resigns after landmark name change'
Chair, vice-chair of Yonge-Dundas board resigns after landmark name change
WATCH: The chair and the vice-chair of the Yonge-Dundas board have resigned over council’s decision last week to change the landmark’s name to Sankofa Square. They say it’s not because they don’t support the name change. Kayla McLean reports – Dec 21, 2023

The local leaders tasked with running Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square have resigned over how local councillors handled the recent plan to rename the downtown hub.

Both the chair and vice-chair of the Yonge-Dundas Square Board of Management have submitted their resignations, the board’s general manager said.

While both were “fully supportive” of the general move to rename the square, a spokesperson for the board said they had concerns over how the naming was handled.

During a marathon final sitting of the year, council opted to rename Yonge-Dundas Square, Jane/Dundas Library and two subway stations. As part of that decision, councillors opted to rename the downtown space Sankofa Square.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

The name refers to a Ghanaian concept of reflecting on and reclaiming the past and was recommended by a naming advisory committee, the city said.

Story continues below advertisement

The process, however, members of the Yonge-Dundas Board of Management said was a problem.

The board said the chair and vice chair had “concerns around governance along with lack of public and board consultation by the City.”

The City of Toronto confirmed the resignation but refused to disclose the letter, citing privacy concerns.

Click to play video: 'Yonge-Dundas square to be renamed Sankofa Square but will Torontonians use the new name?'
Yonge-Dundas square to be renamed Sankofa Square but will Torontonians use the new name?

Sponsored content

AdChoices