The Toronto school board has voted to rename schools bearing the names of historical Canadian figures as part of initiatives to reject “namesakes tied to systems of oppression.”
On Feb. 19, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) trustees voted 11–7 in favour of moving ahead with the renaming of Sir John A. Macdonald Collegiate Institute, Dundas Junior Public School, and Ryerson Community School.
The decision follows an October 2024 update to the board’s renaming procedure, which prioritizes names with indigenous elements or those that “reflect the diversity of Toronto.” In January, associate directors of education concluded a critical review and recommended renaming the schools, citing the “potential impact” of these names on students and staff due to “colonial history, anti-indigenous racism and their connection to systems of oppression.”…