A recent video from a Canadian podcast is making rounds online for its comments regarding the renaming of Toronto’s Dundas Street.
Last Friday, the “Full Send” podcast posted its latest video titled “Bradley Martyn Crashes the Pod and Talks the NELK Reunion!” During the episode, photographer Jason Pagaduan, otherwise known as 905shooter, brings up the costs of changing the street name.
“Dundas Street is a very well known street in Toronto,” he begins. “They’re spending $5.2 billion to change a street name.”
Pagaduan goes on to say, “$5.2 billion could be used for so many other resources…whatever the amount is, keep the f*****g name.”
@6ixbuzztv Nelk Boys talk about the costs of changing Dundas Street 🚧💸 #6ixbuzz #6ixbuzztv #nelkboys #nelk #bradleymartyn #toronto #dundas ♬ Epic uplifting music – Makoto Hiramatsu
READ MORE:Yonge-Dundas Square is getting a new name, here’s how Torontonians feel about it
However, the estimated cost to rename Dundas Street is actually $12.7 million, according to city documents.
Toronto’s city council approved the renaming of Yonge-Dundas Square as well as the renaming of Dundas Station and Dundas West Station back in December, 2023.
The name change would see Yonge-Dundas Square changed to Sankofa Square, which refers to “the act of reflecting on and reclaiming teachings from the past, which enables people to move forward together.”
The move comes following an online petition in 2020 that called for Dundas Street to be renamed in light of ongoing activism by Black, Indigenous and other racialized communities.
The petition asked to re-examine the controversial legacy of Henry Dundas, the 1st Viscount Melvile, who is known for playing a role in delaying the abolition of slavery.
According to the city clerk’s office, the $12.7 million budget includes preliminary estimates for costs to City divisions, agencies, corporations, residents, and businesses.
The city says estimates have increased since 2021 projections due to inflation, installation contract costs, and additional resources for the project.
Last month, a poll from Liaison Strategies found that 71 per cent of Torontonians strongly oppose the move.
