Commentaire 35 – commentaires et rétroaction

Catherine Marrion

I strongly object to the renaming of Parkdale-High Park without including "Parkdale" as part of the new name. I have lived in Parkdale since 1989. Parkdale has been identified as a federal district since 1914 (later to include High Park). It is a distinctive and unique community with a strong civic and community spirit.

We fight for our identity as Parkdalians. A few years ago, a U.S. based company that supports veganism bought up a number of Queen Street properties west of Dufferin, opened several vegan businesses (restaurants, a brewery, a bakery, etc.) and started putting up signs announcing that this area was now "Vegandale." No-one had any issues with vegans as such, but renaming our corner of Toronto was like waving a red flag at a bull. There was a huge uproar in Parkdale (which made the press) and the Vegandale signs came down. I offer that as an example of how strongly we defend our identity.

A second issue about the suggested new name is the inclusion of an indigenous word which has been offered with no explanation of its meaning or origin. According to Bhutila Karpoche, her consultation with indigenous organizations and leaders has turned up nothing to shed light on this question. In theory the inclusion of an indigenous place-name is a great idea, but has no-one on the Commission heard of "Nothing about us without us"?

"Nothing about us without us" (Latin: Nihil de nobis, sine nobis) is a slogan used to communicate the idea that no policy should be decided by any representative without the full and direct participation of members of the group(s) affected by that policy.
https://www.google.com/search?q=nothing+about+us+without+us&oq=nothing+about&aqs=chrome.0.0i512j69i57j0i512j46i512l2j0i512l2j46i512l2j0i512.5197j1j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

That phrase applies equally to the indigenous community and to Parkdalians in this high-handed and offensive proposal.

Sincerely,

Catherine Marrion