Mayoral candidate Bradford wants to rename Sankofa Square back to Toronto Square
Coun. Brad Bradford calls the downtown area a 'bit of a wasteland' and proposes a cleanup, police substation, and year-round programming.
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Mayoral candidate Coun. Brad Bradford proposed Monday to rename Sankofa Square to Toronto Square, calling the downtown public space a "bit of a wasteland" that needs restoration.
Bradford's plan includes establishing a police substation at the square to ensure steady safety presence and expanding mental health and housing outreach for people in the area. He also pitches a year-round programming calendar and displaying prominent Canadians on digital screens.
Bradford voted in favour of the 2023 renaming from Yonge-Dundas Square to Sankofa Square, citing concerns about Henry Dundas's historical role in debates over slavery abolition. Asked why he now wants to rename it again, Bradford said he was "misled" by Mayor Olivia Chow and alleged the city did not work with the board or community on the original change.
Bradford said his proposal would not cost taxpayers a dollar, instead relying on partnerships with an iconic Canadian brand and support from local businesses and advertisers.
