Jane/Dundas Branch Renaming

The proposed new name for the Jane/Dundas branch is the Daniel G. Hill III branch, which recognizes and celebrates the significant legacy of a prominent Black Torontonian and pioneer in human rights in Ontario.

As part of the larger Dundas Street Renaming Project to rename City of Toronto assets bearing the Dundas name, City Council has requested that Toronto Public Library (TPL) rename the Jane/Dundas branch to remove the Dundas name by the third quarter of 2024.

The library as a culturally safe and relevant space

This proposed new name is aligned with the City’s Commemorative Framework, which is intended to encourage greater equity and inclusion in placemaking, and promote a broader understanding of history and its legacy on communities.

Renaming the branch to honour Daniel G. Hill III also supports TPL’s commitment to creating culturally safe and relevant spaces that reflect the diversity of Toronto’s population, confront anti-Black racism, increase awareness and amplify the voices of the Black community in Toronto.

We want to hear from you

Share your feedback by taking this short survey. The survey takes approximately 3 to 5 minutes to complete and will close on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

At its meeting on February 26, 2024, the Toronto Public Library Naming Committee directed staff to explore naming the branch after Daniel G. Hill III, a naming opportunity that was first identified in 2016, and to conduct public engagement that includes an educational component to inform the community about the rationale for the renaming.

A summary of community feedback will be shared with the Naming Committee for consideration and the Naming Committee’s recommended name will be considered for approval by the TPL Board at its June meeting.

About Daniel G. Hill III

Daniel G. Hill III (1923-2003) is a recipient of the Order of Canada (OC), the Order of Ontario (OOnt), and a pioneer and champion of human rights in Canada. He was also a distinguished writer and historian on the history of Black people in Canada.

Originally from the U.S.A. and the great-grandson of American slaves, Daniel G. Hill III moved to Canada in 1950 to study at the University of Toronto and, after completing his PhD in sociology, was appointed the first director and later the Chair of the Ontario Human Rights Commission.

Daniel G. Hill III worked tirelessly to establish the Human Rights Commission and transformed it from a tiny office with a small staff into a major public agency in the Province of Ontario with statutory powers. As Director of the OHRC, Daniel G. Hill III diligently fought discrimination for Ontarians from all social, racial and religious backgrounds

Daniel G. Hill III resigned from the Commission in 1973, to establish the first human rights consulting firm in Canada, and advised a number of high profile clients including the Government of Ontario, the City of Toronto, the Toronto Star, and the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission.

In 1978, Daniel G. Hill III co-founded the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS). This was the first public organization in the nation focused on the history of Black people in Canada. Daniel G. Hill III was its President for the first six years.

Daniel G. Hill III published his seminal book, “The Freedom Seekers: Blacks in Early Canada”, in 1981, which was the first popular history on the topic. The book had a wide readership, and remains available in Canadian libraries. He also wrote “A Brief Pictorial History of Blacks in Nineteenth Century Ontario” that was published by the Ontario Human Rights Commission.

Daniel G. Hill III was appointed Ombudsman for the Province of Ontario in 1984, a position he held until his retirement in 1989. As Ombudsman, he advocated on behalf of citizens who felt they had been mistreated by the government.

Daniel G. Hill III received the “Outstanding Service to Humanity” award presented in May 1984 by the Canadian Labour Congress. Daniel G. Hill III was awarded the Order of Ontario in 1993 and was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1999.

With his wife Donna Bender Hill, Daniel G. Hill III raised three children - Dan, Lawrence and Karen.

More information about the life of Daniel G. Hill III is available through the Archives of Ontario online exhibit.