The process to change the name of John A. Macdonald Road in Saskatoon, has begun.

City Administration was instructed by city council Monday after the motion, originally introduced by Councilor Kirton, was passed unanimously.

Kirton says he is once again asking residents in the area to open their hearts to their Indigenous neighbours while taking heed of something Chief Delorme said. “We all all inherited this, let’s do something about it.”

Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand addressed City Council Monday and said it’s the right thing to do. He says the name change is a step in the right direction. For Residential School survivors, Arcand says, “it’s hard to accept and celebrate a man by the name of John A Macdonald, that’s done this to people.”

City Administration will report back no later than Quarter 4 of 2021 with information regarding consultations with Indigenous community leaders, residential school survivors, Elders and Knowledge Keepers.

Residents of the area will receive communication on the proposed name change, the renaming process itself is expected to include public education and engagement.