Historians Urge Toronto Board to Reconsider Renaming Macdonald, Dundas, Ryerson Schools

Toronto School Board Makes Final Decision to Remove Names of Macdonald, Ryerson, and Dundas from Schools

February 21, 2025 TruthUSA

The Toronto school board has decided to rename schools that are named after historical Canadian figures as a part of efforts to distance themselves from “namesakes associated with oppressive systems.”

On Feb. 19, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) trustees voted 11–7 in favor of renaming Sir John A. Macdonald Collegiate Institute, Dundas Junior Public School, and Ryerson Community School.

This decision follows an October 2024 update to the board’s renaming procedure, which emphasizes names with indigenous elements or those that represent the diversity of Toronto. In January, associate directors of education conducted a thorough review and recommended the renaming of the schools due to the potential negative impact of these names on students and staff, given their ties to colonial history and oppression.

However, the renaming process has met resistance from a group of historians. In a Feb. 6 letter to the TDSB, the Canadian Institute for Historical Education (CIHE) defended the contributions of these historical figures to Canada and the abolition of slavery. They argued that accusations of colonialism and racism are influenced more by popular opinion and bias rather than historical evidence.

“Activists are pushing for the removal of these figures and others without a proper evaluation of their historical context, values of their time, circumstances, and core achievements. These efforts are driven by ideology rather than evidence,” CIHE stated, advocating for an evidence-based approach in naming or renaming public spaces.

‘Not Based on Historic Expertise’

Several trustees who opposed the renaming expressed concerns about the lack of historian input in the decision-making process.

“We face challenges every day on the correctness of our policies, and we owe it to our stakeholders to provide justifications based on the best possible sources for our decisions,” Trustee James Li of Ward 13 remarked.

In response, Audley Salmon, TDSB associate director of learning transformation and equity, clarified that the decision aims to create a feeling of belonging for students and staff.

“This is not solely about history; it’s about how history affects our students and staff in terms of belonging, and the names play a role in that,” he explained, mentioning that the consulting academics focused on marginalized students within the system.

Trustee Pei Weidong of Ward 12 questioned the TDSB’s choice to consult academics specializing in sociology rather than history.

Three researchers from York University, including Carl James, Susan Dion, and Vidya Shah from the Faculty of Education, provided historical context to the TDSB. “The three researchers hold Ph.Ds in sociology and have expertise in anti-oppression, anti-racist education, and indigenous education,” Jeffrey Caton, centrally assigned principal at TDSB, informed the trustees on Feb. 19.

In a Feb. 21 interview with The Epoch Times, James highlighted that the renaming of buildings and institutions is not exclusive to Toronto but is also happening outside Canada. This trend reflects a reassessment of the “historical narrative” associated with historical figures, he noted.

“Schools play a vital role in shaping the message that we want students to receive,” James commented, emphasizing that schools are adapting education to address Canada’s colonial past and promote reconciliation.

The Epoch Times reached out to Dion and Shah for comments but had not received a response at the time of publication.

Contributions

During the Feb. 19 board meeting, Salmon reiterated that TDSB schools would continue to educate students about the contributions of Macdonald, Ryerson, and Dundas through various courses.

“We’re not erasing history. This is about how individuals have influenced our staff and students based on where we are now. History needs to be viewed from various perspectives, just like the renaming process,” Salmon affirmed at the meeting.

Salmon acknowledged Sir John A. Macdonald’s role in building Canada and its parliamentary democracy, although his government was involved in displacing indigenous people during the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The CIHE points out that some criticisms against Canada’s founding prime minister appear rushed and lacking attention to detail, noting that he signed treaties with indigenous groups in the prairies.

The CIHE also praised Henry Dundas for his abolitionist work and support for British politician William Wilberforce in the fight against slavery. While recognizing Dundas’s abolitionist efforts, Salmon criticized his proposal for a gradual abolition plan during the war with France in the 1790s.

On the other hand, Salmon mentioned that Egerton Ryerson, a Methodist minister in the 19th century, contributed to the establishment of the residential school system in Canada, despite not being directly involved. The CIHE argued that Ryerson has been wrongly accused of being the “architect” of the residential school system, pointing out that these schools existed before his birth and the system was implemented long after his time.

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