Social justice agency will help Mississauga develop street naming policy

Mississauga has partnered with a social justice agency to help ensure the names of streets, parks and buildings reflect the city’s diversity.

Quakelab Incorporated has been brought in to create an “equitable, diverse and inclusive approach” to the City’s review of its naming practices.

The City says it is looking to Quakelab’s expertise to guide the process of asset naming.

On its website, Quakelab says it takes a radical new approach to inclusion and assists organizations through the process of identifying equity challenges and helps create a plan of action to begin addressing those challenges.

An official familiar with the asset naming process said Quakelab was hired to provide a unique perspective in the decision-making process.

“Mississauga is a diverse city with residents representing several different cultures and customs,” said the official who asked that their name not be used. “Often we don’t hear from these residents because they may not be familiar with the process but their input reflects the thinking of our community and they should be heard.”

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There are more than 4,000 assets in the City’s current inventory including streets, buildings, parks and monuments, among others. The City also has a reserve list of 162 street names. Mississauga has paused all name and renamings until next year when the asset review process is complete and new procedures are in place.

An upcoming meeting to get feedback on the naming practice reflects the new approach as the City is actively encouraging South Asian, Black, Indigenous and other racialized community members to attend.

The meeting takes place on Nov. 2 at Mississauga Valley Community Centre starting at 6 p.m.

You can register for either an in-person and online option before the event. If you choose to join online, the City will send a link to you before the event.