Councillor Kirton provided the following Notice of Motion in accordance with section 129(1)(b) of Bylaw No. 9170, The Procedures and Committees Bylaw, 2014:
'Whereas John A. Macdonald played a significant role in the design, development and the implementation of Canada’s Indian residential school system (IRSS);
Whereas the IRSS was a systematic, government-sponsored attempt to destroy Indigenous cultures and languages and to assimilate Indigenous peoples so they no longer existed as distinct peoples;
Whereas the IRSS was responsible for the hunger, neglect, abuse and deaths of thousands of Indigenous children;
Whereas Indigenous families today are still struggling with pain, grief, loss and inter-generational trauma the IRSS has caused;
Whereas a street located in the Confederation Park neighbourhood is named John A. Macdonald Road;
Therefore, be it resolved that the Administration begin the process for the renaming of John A. Macdonald Road as a way to acknowledge the on-going harm in the community experienced by the IRSS and the role that John A. Macdonald played in this part of history;
Be it further resolved that the renaming process will include public education and public engagement including:
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- Consultation with Indigenous community leaders, residential school survivors and Elders and Knowledge Keepers;
- Direct communication with John A. Macdonald Road residents;
- Informing Confederation Park neighbourhood residents;
- A wider community public education campaign; and
- A look at options to manage any costs of changing names and what tools could be used to facilitate a change
Finally, be it resolved that the Administration report back not later than Quarter 4 of 2021 and include information related to the proposed Legacy Review currently being developed.'
Emails from the following regarding this matter are attached:
- Nicole Boschman, dated June 8, 2021;
- Ari Avivi, dated June 11, 2021;
- George Leggott, dated June 11, 2021; and
- Connie Hill, dated June 15, 2021