May 11, 2015 

 

Mayor John Tory, alongside the Nelson Mandela Legacy Committee, today officially recognized that University Avenue, which extends from Front Street to College Street, has been named Nelson Mandela Boulevard.

 

"Nelson Mandela is a hero to millions around the world for his lifelong commitment to freedom and democracy," said Mayor John Tory. "It is an honour for the City of Toronto to designate University Avenue to recognize and celebrate his legacy of courage, determination and hope he has left behind for all of us."

 

Mayor Tory was joined by representatives of Toronto City Council, the Consul General of South Africa, the Nelson Mandela Legacy Committee and students from Nelson Mandela Park Public School for the official sign unveiling ceremony. The ceremonial unveiling of the street signs was held to mark the anniversary of President Mandela’s installation as president of South Africa on May 10, 1994.  

 

A Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Mandela was jailed for his protests against South Africa's apartheid policies and spent 27 years in prison. After being released, he became the country's first black president and his government focused on dismantling apartheid by tackling institutionalized racism, poverty and inequality, as well as fostering racial reconciliation.

 

During Mandela's first visit to Toronto in 1990, he participated in a march along University Avenue from Toronto City Hall to Queen's Park, where he gave a speech to a crowd of several thousand people.

 

The ceremonial street naming includes signage along the road honouring Nelson Mandela. The official street name remains University Avenue and building addresses do not change.

 

This news release is also available on the City's website: http://bit.ly/1KB5BSS

 

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

 

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Media contact: Steve Johnston, Strategic Communications, 416-392-4391, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.