On June 29th the Toronto and East York Community Council will discuss the potential renaming of Lower Coxwell Avenue, running from Queen to Coxwell, to Emdaabiimok Avenue.
This stretch of road, running between Queen and Lakeshore only, did not have a formal name until 2019, when a name was needed to allow for a Green P lot. At that time there was community interest in having an Indigenous name and the consultation process got underway. Lower Coxwell was provided as the name so that the Green P construction could proceed.
The area was traditionally used by Indigenous people to travel down to the lake. The name, Emdaabiimok [Em-dah-bee-muck] Avenue, was derived from its literal translation, “where the road goes to the water” and was recommended by the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation after extensive consultation.
However City staff have recommended against this renaming on a technicality, specifically that the street has been renamed within the last 10 years.
Additional correspondence from Toronto Police Services and Toronto Fire Services raises a concern that the proposed name may be difficult to spell or pronounce. I do not believe this assertion is correct. We have many street names that are difficult to spell or pronounce (Roxborough, Gloucester, Wroxeter) not to mention names that exist on two totally separate streets. I am confident that people will quickly learn to pronounce the new name.
You can send me letter and make your voice heard.
Though naming streets, parks, buildings and assets is a small gesture and it does not fulfill the deeper need for reconciliation as outlined in the City's Reconciliation Action Plan. This proposal is a recognition of the rich Indigenous history in Toronto Danforth and beyond.
If you'd like to send a letter directly to the Committee you can include [email protected] on your email.
