Ryerson University in Toronto, named for one of the architects of the residential schools, will henceforth be called Toronto Metropolitan University.
Posted at 3:05 p.m.
The university’s Board of Governors unanimously approved the new name on Tuesday, the institution said.
“Names are important. They tell the world who we are and what we stand for. They communicate ideas, values and aspirations. They address the future while acknowledging the past,” reads its website.
Consultations to rename the university began last fall. They responded to one of the recommendations of the action plan to promote inclusion adopted by the management shortly after the discovery of unmarked graves near former Indian residential schools in Canada.
In recent months, pressure has been mounting on the institution to be renamed.
Its former namesake, Egerton Ryerson, is a prominent figure in education in the country. But he is also recognized as one of the thinkers of residential schools. Last June, activists tore down the statue of him on university grounds.
In a press release, the president of the establishment, Mohamed Lachemi, assures that the new name “is not intended to erase our history. »
“Our values are the foundation on which we have built our unique, dynamic, diverse and intentionally inclusive culture. Our new name builds on these values and, with our 73 years of excellence and achievement, it is destined to be a name that unites us all — a place where all members of our community belong.” he declared.