Renaming Streets and Landmarks With Indigenous Names Creates Division, Not Reconciliation

Confederation Bridge in Borden-Carleton, Prince Edward Island, on Jul 23, 2025. The P.E.I. legislature voted in favour of renaming the bridge to "Epekwitk Crossing” in 2022, but the change still needs to be approved by the federal government as the bridge is part of the TransCanada Highway. The Canadian Press/Giordano Ciampini

Commentary

In Vancouver, the Pattullo Bridge has been renamed the “stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge” and Trutch Street is now “šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmasəm Street.” On Vancouver Island, Mount Douglas is now “PKOLS.” On Prince Edward Island, there is a push to rename Confederation Bridge “Epekwitk Crossing.” In Ottawa, the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway is now “Kichi Zībī Mīkan.” And in Saskatoon, John A. Macdonald Road has been replaced with “miyo-wâhkôhtowin Road.”