Yonge-Dundas Square. Photo by Marika Gabriel
The City of Toronto has made significant progress with the renaming of Yonge-Dundas Square to Sankofa Square this May, with a recent update focusing on the transition of signage and street names. The installation of Sankofa Square signage is expected to finish by the end of 2024 and is part the city’s commitment to addressing historical injustices and promoting inclusivity.
Initiated in December 2023, the renaming aims to confront the legacy of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and eliminate references to Henry Dundas, a figure who delayed British slavery abolition by 15 years. In February, the YDS Board endorsed the change to Sankofa Square, drawing on the Ghanaian concept of Sankofa, which emphasizes reflecting on the past to move forward together.
During a special meeting on May 15, the Yonge-Dundas Square (YDS) Board strategized the implementation in line with City Council’s directives. The physical signage transition, which began on May 13, included the decommissioning of existing Yonge-Dundas Square signs. The strategy—which covers design, fabrication, and installation of new signage—will be presented to the Executive Committee and City Council in June. The estimated costs for design, fabrication, and installation range from $105,000 to $200,000.
The renaming initiative also includes branding development, event programming, and investments in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, with projected costs ranging from $300,000 to $600,000.
