PLANS to erase the name of pro-slavery politician Henry Dundas from a Canada street have been ditched as the revamp could cost $13million.
Leaders in Toronto have U-turned on the move to rename one of the city’s tourist hotspot’s busiest thoroughfares — despite widespread opposition to honouring the controversial Edinburgh-born figure.
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Campaigners demanded the makeover for 24-mile Dundas Street in the wake of Black Lives Matter protests and councillors gave the green light in 2021. But the cost of replacing more than 730 street signs, renaming metro stations and libraries has forced a rethink.
Instead, the former Home Secretary’s surname is being stripped from one of the city’s biggest squares plus other landmarks and subway hubs at a reduced cost of $2.7million.
Mayor Olivia Chow insisted she remained dedicated to “confronting racism and building a more inclusive city”.
She added: “The city is committed to acknowledging the impact of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and slavery.”
Last night Toronto councillor Chris Moise said: “Conversations on racial justice and equality are at the forefront.”
Dundas, Scotland’s most powerful man at the end of the 18th century, had called for a gradual winding-up of slavery rather than an immediate stop.
Critics have claimed his delay caused 500,000 more Africans into forced labour.
Also known as Lord Melville, his record sparked protests in his home city in 2020.
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We told how campaigners including Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh demanded the 1826 Melville Monument statue in Edinburgh’s St Andrew Square be torn down.
Instead a plaque dedicated to people enslaved due to his actions was added. Last year it was removed by a campaign group, sparking a police probe.
But Bobby Dundas, the politician’s seven-times great-grandson, maintained his Melville Monument Committee acted within the law.
Campaigners have also called for the capital’s Dundas Street, Melville Street and Melville Crescent to be renamed.
Dundas Street in Glasgow was also named after the former Lord of Trade, who died in 1811 at 69.
