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Globe and Mail
5 days ago
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
A party to celebrate a mistake
This week a breathless announcement arrived in my inbox. 'Toronto is set to celebrate a historic cultural milestone,' it said. On Aug. 23, the city would hold its very first official 'Sankofa Day.' What's that, you say? You may well ask. Sankofa Square is the obscure new name for Yonge-Dundas Square, the one-acre public space at the corner of Yonge and Dundas streets, right across from the Eaton Centre. Sankofa Day, its organizers tell us, is another name for the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. In 2021, the city government decided to erase the name Dundas from the square bearing his name. It was a time when statues were being toppled and historical figures cancelled in the name of social justice. Henry Dundas was a leading British statesman of the Georgian era. His critics say he was responsible for delaying the end of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. His defenders say he was a sincere opponent of slavery who orchestrated a tactical delay in parliament to pave the way for eventual abolition. City councillors brushed aside these complexities and voted to rename the square, though not the street (which would be too expensive). Various new names were kicked around. One suggestion was Lightfoot Square, after the iconic singer who played many times at Massey Hall around the corner. But, no, that would have been too easy. Instead, the city struck a committee: the Recognition Review Community Advisory Committee, in fact. After what the group that runs the square calls 'two years of careful work,' it announced its choice. Yonge-Dundas Square would become Sankofa Square. Toronto's shameful renaming debacles Torontonians were understandably bewildered. They still are. What or who is Sankofa? The square's website explains that 'Sankofa (SAHN-koh-fah) is a Twi word from the Akan Tribe of Ghana that loosely translates to, 'go back and get it.'' The phrase 'encourages learning from the past to inform the future.' A-ha. Not surprisingly, the name has failed to catch on. Does anybody ever say, 'Meet you at Sankofa Square?' The name has no connection to Toronto or its history. Worse, after the name came out, critics pointed out that the Akan people themselves once kept and traded slaves. Awkward. Unembarrassed and undeterred, the folks who run the square are throwing a big party to get Torontonians onside. If you don't like (or for that matter even know) the name, well, they are going to make you like it. The website invites visitors to come 'experience Canada's first major public Sankofa Day celebration!' – a free, all-day event featuring Caribbean film screenings, music performances, public-art installations, Indigenous and African ancestral ceremonies, DJ sets and a community run. The event will also include a 'brand reveal' of the square's new visual identity. If all this is a bit too much for you, sorry, there is more. Toronto is not finished with its renaming follies. Dundas subway station, just below the square, is to be renamed TMU station. Nearby Toronto Metropolitan University is paying the Toronto Transit Commission for the rights, shelling out a reported $1.6-million. So now the downtown stations on the Yonge Street line will be called Bloor, Wellesley, College, TMU, Queen and King – all but one named after the corresponding cross street. What is 'downtown,' anyway TMU itself has been part of the rename game. It used to be Ryerson University, after the 19th-century Methodist minister who helped establish a system of free, mandatory schooling in what is now the province of Ontario. It dropped his name after campaigners claimed his writings helped pave the way for the establishment of the residential schools where many Indigenous children suffered and died. But there is another side of his story, as there was with that of Henry Dundas. Ryerson's defenders say he was a liberal educator who lived among the Ojibwa people and learned to speak their language. None of that counted for much in the feverish atmosphere of recent times. Ryerson's statue was decapitated and his name expunged. TMU, at least, has the merit of being a logical name. It is, in fact, a Toronto metropolitan university, with its campus in the heart of downtown. Sankofa? Well, that is something else. Inviting the whole city to a party won't persuade anyone this was a good idea.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Canada Day 2025: Are schools, banks, grocery stores open on July 1? Check full list here
Canada Day 2025: What's open and what's closed? Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Canada Day falls on Tuesday, July 1, and Canadians are gearing up for fireworks, backyard barbecues, and community celebrations. According to an official government website, Canada Day is a day to reflect on what it means to be Canadian, to share what makes us proud and to celebrate in our own way. "Canada Day highlights the richness of our land, our diversity, our culture, our contributions, but above all, our people. Since 1868, July 1 is an opportunity for Canadians from all communities to come together," it is important for Canadians to know which services and establishments will be open or closed on the Canada Day holiday.: On Canada Day, federal and provincial government offices will be close for the day. That includes all Service Canada locations, passport offices and provincial ministries across the country. Canadians looking to access any public services or support programs will need to wait until after the holiday, as per CTV News.: No mail delivery will take place on Canada Day, and all post office locations will be closed nationwide.: On Canada Day, major shopping centres like the GTA's Eaton Centre, Square One, Vaughan Mills, and Pacific Mall are expected to remain open with holiday hours. Though retail and mall operations vary by region for shoppers. Others such as Yorkdale, Sherway Gardens and Scarborough Town Centre will be Winnipeg, the Grant Park Shopping Centre and St. Vital Centre will be closed while CF Polo Park, Garden City Shopping Centre among others will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 Ottawa, certain retailers will be open including the Rideau Centre and Tanger Outlets. Bayshore, Billings Bridge, Carlingwood among others will remain Montreal, places like Ikea, Winners, Home Sense, Canadian Tire and shopping malls are Greater Toronto area, Eaton Centre, Square One, Vaughan Mills, Pacific Mall will be open and Yorkdale, Sherway Gardens, Scarborough Town Centre will be check store hours in advance as they may differ by location or city regulations.: Public transit services such as the TTC, GO Transit and other regional systems will run on holiday schedules, typically offering fewer or reduced service Winnipeg, local transit system will run on an extended Sunday schedule with additional blue line trips. For Ottawa's transit system, OC Transpo, it will offer free transit on the O-Train, buses and Para Transpo all Cineplex and Landmark movie theatres will remain open on Canada Day, offering a full slate of screenings for those looking to beat the heat for schools, public and private institutions will be closed for the statutory holiday. While it's summer break in most provinces, school offices will also observe the across the country, including branches of TD, RBC, CIBC and others will be closed on July 1. Online banking services will remain accessible, but in-person banking will resume the following stores will operate on a location-specific basis. Some smaller grocers and chains like Rabba Fine Foods, T&T Supermarket, Whole Foods and Farm Boy may remain open. Most major chains like Loblaws, Metro and No Frills, will be closed or open with limited services are a mixed bag. Libraries will be closed across most municipalities, but outdoor public amenities such as splash pads, pools, parks and trails are expected to remain open, often operating on modified or holiday hours. Please check your municipality's website to confirm their hours.
Hamilton Spectator
30-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Hamilton Spectator
Are any Ontario malls and shopping outlets open on Canada Day?
Canada Day is on Tuesday, July 1. While many stores are closed that day, a number of major malls around southern Ontario are open. See below for where you can do your shopping. Individual store hours may differ from mall hours. The Eaton Centre is in the heart of downtown Toronto and a major tourist draw. Ontario's largest shopping mall, located in Mississauga's City Centre area, is home to more than 300 stores. The Bramalea City Centre in Brampton is among Canada's largest malls with more than 300 outlets. Vaughan's largest mall is located just south of Canada's Wonderland and features more than 200 stores and services. Upper Canada Mall is located in Newmarket in northern York Region. This Markham mall, also known as Markville Shopping Centre, is home to more than 140 stores. This Richmond Hill mall has more than 100 stores, services and restaurants. This outlet mall in Halton Hills is just off Highway 401 and is marketed as a place where you can shop more for less on brand-name fashion. Tanger Outlets Cookstown is a shopping mall in Cookstown, a community in Innisfil, just south of Barrie. This shopping centre just outside Niagara Falls features more than 100 brands. Tanger Outlets Ottawa is a mall in suburban Ottawa Rideau Centre is a multi-level mall in central Ottawa. Devonshire Mall is a go-to spot for retail, dining, services and more. The mall in west-end Kingston is home to more than 100 stores. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Time of India
Canada Day 2025 checklist: Banks, schools, malls and more — what's open, what's closed on July 1
AI-generated image As Canadians gear up for fireworks, backyard barbecues, and community celebrations this Tuesday, July 1, it's important to know which services and establishments will be open or closed on the Canada Day holiday. Here's a detailed guide to help you plan your day: Government services Federal and provincial government offices will be closed for the day. This includes Service Canada centres, passport offices, and all provincial ministry branches across the country. Public services and support programs will resume after the holiday. Canada Post No mail delivery will take place on Canada Day, and all post office locations will be closed nationwide. Shopping Centres and Retail Holiday retail hours vary significantly by region: Greater Toronto Area : Open : Eaton Centre, Square One, Vaughan Mills, Pacific Mall (with holiday hours) Closed : Yorkdale, Sherway Gardens, Scarborough Town Centre Winnipeg : Closed : Grant Park Shopping Centre, St. Vital Centre Open : CF Polo Park, Garden City Shopping Centre (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.) Ottawa : Open : Rideau Centre, Tanger Outlets Closed : Bayshore, Billings Bridge, Carlingwood Montreal : Most major retailers, including IKEA, Winners, HomeSense, and Canadian Tire, will be closed, along with many shopping centres. Grocery Stores Grocery store hours will vary by location and brand. Likely Open : Rabba Fine Foods, T&T Supermarket, Whole Foods, Farm Boy Mostly Closed or Limited Hours : Loblaws, Metro, No Frills Public Transit Toronto (TTC) and GO Transit : Holiday schedules with reduced service Winnipeg Transit : Operating on an extended Sunday schedule with extra Blue Line buses Ottawa (OC Transpo) : Free service all day on O-Train, buses, and Para Transpo Cinemas Cineplex and Landmark Cinemas will remain open with regular showtimes. Schools and Banks All schools, school boards, and administrative offices will be closed. Banks across the country will also be shut for the day, though online and mobile banking services remain accessible. Municipal Services and Outdoor Facilities Libraries : Closed in most cities Parks, pools, splash pads, and trails : Generally open with modified holiday hours. Check local listings for exact timings. (With help of inputs from CTV News) Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
CTV News
28-06-2025
- CTV News
Here's what's open and closed on Canada Day
Canadian flags are seen flying behind the National Archives building in Ottawa Friday, Feb 14, 2025 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld Canada Day falls on Tuesday, July 1 and as Canadians prepare for backyard barbecues, fireworks and community events, it's important to know which services and businesses are operating and which aren't. Here's what's open and closed during the federal statutory holiday. Federal and provincial government offices Federal and provincial government offices will be close for the day. That includes all Service Canada locations, passport offices and provincial ministries across the country. Canadians looking to access any public services or support programs will need to wait until after the holiday. Canada Post Canada Post will also be observing the holiday, meaning there will be no mail delivery and post offices across the country will be closed for the day Retailers and malls For shoppers, retail and mall operations vary by region. While major shopping centres like the GTA's Eaton Centre, Square One, Vaughan Mills, and Pacific Mall are expected to remain open with holiday hours, others such as Yorkdale, Sherway Gardens and Scarborough Town Centre will be closed. In Winnipeg, the Grant Park Shopping Centre and St. Vital Centre will be closed while CF Polo Park, Garden City Shopping Centre among others will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. In Ottawa, certain retailers will be open including the Rideau Centre and Tanger Outlets. Bayshore, Billings Bridge, Carlingwood among others will remain closed. In Montreal, places like Ikea, Winners, Home Sense, Canadian Tire and shopping malls are closed. Always check store hours in advance as they may differ by location or city regulations. Public transit Public transit services such as the TTC, GO Transit and other regional systems will run on holiday schedules, typically offering fewer or reduced service routes. In Winnipeg, local transit system will run on an extended Sunday schedule with additional blue line trips. For Ottawa's transit system, OC Transpo, it will offer free transit on the O-Train, buses and Para Transpo all day. Riders are encouraged to plan ahead and consult their local transit authority's website before heading out. Movie theatres When it comes to entertainment, both Cineplex and Landmark movie theatres will remain open, offering a full slate of screenings for those looking to beat the heat indoors. Schools As for schools, public and private institutions will be closed for the statutory holiday. While it's summer break in most provinces, school offices will also observe the holiday. Banks Banks across the country, including branches of TD, RBC, CIBC and others will be closed on July 1. Online banking services will remain accessible, but in-person banking will resume the following day. Grocery stores Grocery stores will operate on a location-specific basis. Some smaller grocers and chains like Rabba Fine Foods, T&T Supermarket, Whole Foods and Farm Boy may remain open. Most major chains like Loblaws, Metro and No Frills, will be closed or open with limited hours. City-run services City-run services are a mixed bag. Libraries will be closed across most municipalities, but outdoor public amenities such as splash pads, pools, parks and trails are expected to remain open, often operating on modified or holiday hours. Please check your municipality's website to confirm their hours. Whether you're staying local or heading out of town, confirm businesses hours or transit schedules before heading out. You can find additional details on Canada Post and your municipality's official website.
