Daryl Gonsalves, Columnist –
If you live in the Canary District area, you know that the fastest way to drive to the Don Valley Parkway is to use Eastern Avenue, which turns into …another Eastern Avenue? Easternception.
South of Eastern Avenue, between Cherry Street and Lawren Harris Square, is a street that is formally named Eastern Avenue Diversion. However, many local residents know it as Eastern Avenue, as shown on street signs and mapping software. When I bike or drive on this street, it is common for confused visitors to ask for directions.
Gabriele Mabrucco, a Canary District resident, has mounted a campaign to rename Eastern Avenue Diversion, both to strengthen wayfinding and to pay respect to the neighbourhood’s history. According to a comment online by David Crawford, renaming was discussed more than a decade ago, in anticipation of future development in the neighbourhood.
How does the city approach street naming? According to the Street Naming Policy, the city considers “commemorative naming proposals…[that] would enhance equity and inclusion in peacemaking and promote a broader understanding of history and its legacy on communities. Toronto street names should follow six guiding principles:
1. Be informed by historical research, traditional knowledge, and community insights;
2. Be supported by communities through meaningful engagement;
3. Honour Indigenous ways of knowing and being (if applicable);
4. Prioritize commemorations significant to Indigenous Peoples, Black communities and equity-deserving groups;
5. Connect to Toronto, Ontario or Canada’s histories and cultures; and
6. Share knowledge and stories behind commemorations.
Gabriele Mabrucco is a civil engineer who moved to the Canary District six years ago. They describe themself as an infrastructure and urban planning junkie that nerds out about most civil projects in the City. From the day Mabrucco moved to the Canary District, the Eastern Street Diversion street name was confusing and slowly became a pet peeve. After more than half a decade, Mabrucco launched a campaign on the Toronto Centre Projects website, an online voting platform operated by Ward 13 Councillor Chris Moise (Toronto Centre).
Gabriele Mabrucco wants to rename the Eastern Avenue Diversion.
Photo: Daryl Gonsalves
With the Dominion Wheel and Foundries site nearby, Mabrucco proposed renaming the avenue as Foundry Road. When the Ontario government started demolishing foundry buildings in early 2021, their balcony overlooking the building and street sported “Save the Foundry” signage.
Mabrucco’s proposal has already reached the minimum 60 votes required for Councillor Moise to move the idea forward. Everyone Mabrucco spoke to supported the idea. Councillor Moise agrees that it could be very confusing to have 2 streets with similar names running beside each other. As of July 29, the proposal to have Eastern Avenue Diversion Street renamed has been sent to City of Toronto Staff for review along with the suggestion of Foundry Street.
Are there any other Downtown East streets that are confusing or worth renaming? Submit suggestions to the bridge at [email protected]
