Three Toronto schools named after Canadian historical figures—Henry Dundas, Egerton Ryerson, and Sir John A. Macdonald—will be renamed, the Toronto school board announced.
In a Jan. 27 procedure document, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) announced it will rename Dundas Junior Public School, Ryerson Community School, and Sir John A. Macdonald Collegiate Institute.
The board said the reason for the renaming is to address “the potential impact that these names may have on students and staff based on colonial history, anti-Indigenous racism, and their connection to systems of oppression.”
The renaming decision follows an October 2024 update to the TDSB’s policy on naming schools, teams, and other special-purpose areas. A section was added that called for a “critical review” of school names to align with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s “Calls to Action,” specifically those related to addressing Canada’s residential school system….