In the ongoing trade dispute between Donald Trump and Canada, an Ottawa city council member is advocating for the renaming of a street that currently bears the U.S. president’s name. Previous attempts in 2021 to rename Trump Avenue in the Central Park neighborhood faced opposition from residents, leading to the proposal being dropped.
City councillor Riley Brockington has now expressed his determination to initiate the renaming process post the upcoming election, citing the negative impact of Trump’s policies on Canada’s sovereignty and economy as reasons for the change. Brockington emphasized the need to disassociate the nation’s capital from honoring Donald Trump, stating that the time for debate on the matter has passed.
The Central Park area in Ottawa features streets with New York City-inspired names like Staten Way and Grammercy Park. During a recent discussion led by Mayor Mark Sutcliffe to assist local businesses affected by tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on Canadian exports, the topic of renaming Trump Avenue arose. Sutcliffe acknowledged potential inconveniences for residents in updating their personal documents but expressed his personal stance against any association with Trump in Ottawa.
Residents of Trump Avenue echoed support for the name change, highlighting Trump’s strained relationship with Canada as a reason for the alteration. Some residents voiced agreement with the renaming, emphasizing that Trump does not hold any special significance in Canada and should not be commemorated in Ottawa. However, not all residents interviewed by CBC shared this sentiment, with some arguing that the street name aligns with the New York theme of the neighborhood and suggesting that council efforts could be directed towards other priorities.
The discussion surrounding the renaming of Trump Avenue reflects the broader sentiment in Ottawa to distance the city from any association with Donald Trump.