An overwhelming number of Torontonians strongly disapprove of renaming Yonge-Dundas Square to Sankofa Square, according to a new poll.
A survey conducted by Liaison Strategies reveals 71 per cent of Torontonians say they are not on board with the move.
The survey was conducted from Jan. 2 to 3 and used interactive voice response technology to survey 831 residents with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.39 per cent, 19 times out of 20.
The survey says previous polling in Oct. 2023 found that 54 per cent of residents supported the name change, however that number dropped to 42 per cent once people were informed of the estimated cost which is expected to be $12.7 million.
Earlier in December, city council voted 19-2 in favour of renaming Yonge-Dundas Square and 17-4 in favour of renaming Dundas Station and Dundas West Station.
READ MORE: Yonge-Dundas Square is getting a new name, here’s how Torontonians feel about it
The name change was brought to light after an online petition in 2020 called on the city to re-examine the contentious role of Henry Dundas, a British politician known for delaying the abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
“There is slim support though for renaming Yonge-Dundas to Sankofa. Instead, there is widespread disapproval from every demographic and every Toronto borough,” Principal of Liaison Strategies David Valentin said in a statement.
In addition, the survey found that the name change was mostly supported by downtown residents, with 17 per cent approval. However, this still means 69 per cent disapprove of the name.
The name change would see Yonge-Dundas changed to Sankofa, which originates in Ghana and refers “to the act of reflecting on and reclaiming teachings from the past, which enables people to move forward together.”
Meanwhile, Now Toronto conducted its own poll on X asking its readers if they agree with the name change.
Our poll found that 81 per cent are against the change, 8 per cent are for it and 11 per cent couldn’t care less.
