A Mississauga, Ont., councillor has pushed forward a motion to change the name of Duke of York Boulevard following sexual abuse allegations against its namesake. The downtown Mississauga street is named after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Duke of York, who’s facing sexual assault allegations and scrutiny over his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. City council will consider the motion to change the name of the street at a meeting on Wednesday following a motion presented by Coun. Alvin Tedjo, in which he wrote that the City of Mississauga must stand in solidarity with victims of sex trafficking and abuse. “I think its appropriate to review his honors and recognitions to support people who visit Mississauga, the people who live in the city and the people who are traumatized by people like Prince Andrew,” Tedjo told CTV News Toronto on Tuesday. “We’ve received a few letters from survivor groups and from women’s shelters. They’re very supportive of this. We know it’s symbolic, but symbols matter.” The former Duke of York has been stripped of all his titles, including the princeship bestowed at birth after he was royally demoted two weeks ago by his brother, King Charles III. The street was named after Mountbatten-Windsor following his visit to Mississauga in July 1987 to officially open the city’s new civic centre. The motion states that recent allegations and controversies against the street’s namesake are inconsistent with the City of Mississauga’s values, and that it “undermines the city’s reputation and may cause distress or offense to survivors, residents and visitors.” “I think it is entirely appropriate that we review whether we should continue honoring his name on the street that city hall sits on,” Tedjo said. “What are we doing if we don’t change it? What are we telling people who are survivors, if we say, ‘well, you know what, this is just too expensive. It’s not worth it.’” If approved, the motion directs city staff to remove Duke of York Boulevard and immediately begin the renaming process by consulting with Indigenous representatives, community organizations, residents and the broader public. After which, the motion states that staff will be expected to report back to council with recommendations, including the preferred new name, an implementation plan, estimated costs, and communication strategy before Feb. 22 next year. Staff would also be asked to permanently remove plaques at the Mississauga Civic Centre marking the former prince’s involvement in its opening, and any other honours across Mississauga’s public spaces. RELATED STORIES:
