On Wednesday, September 23, 2026, the Ottawa City Council unanimously approved a motion to begin the formal public process of renaming Trump Avenue, located in the Central Park neighbourhood off Merivale Road. The motion was moved by River Ward Councillor Riley Brockington, who emphasized the need for a name that aligns with current municipal commemorative naming guidelines.
The notice of motion to rename the street was initially introduced on September 9, 2026. Councillor Brockington stated that the name Trump Avenue is no longer appropriate due to ongoing trade disputes, tariffs, and aggressive rhetoric directed at Canada by U.S. President Donald Trump. He noted, “Time for a new beginning for the street’s residents,” highlighting the need for a name that better reflects the community’s values.
Community Consultation Planned
As part of the renaming process, Councillor Brockington will lead a community-driven public consultation. This will involve forming a working group of three to five residents from the street to develop potential replacement names. The new name may continue to reflect the New York-inspired theme of the neighbourhood, which includes other streets named after locations in New York City, such as Bloomingdale Street, Staten Way, and Madison Park.
The timeline for the renaming process anticipates that a final recommendation for a new name will be presented to the Ottawa City Council for a vote in 2027. This follows a previous attempt to rename the street in 2021, which resulted in a tie among surveyed residents, leaving the name unchanged at that time.
Neighbourhood Context and History
Trump Avenue has been part of the Central Park subdivision for over 20 years, a development characterized by its New York City-themed street names. The decision to rename the avenue reflects a broader consideration of how commemorative names resonate with current societal values and community sentiment.
The council’s decision marks a significant step in addressing the appropriateness of commemorative names in the context of evolving political and social landscapes. As the public consultation process unfolds, residents will have the opportunity to engage in discussions about the future identity of their street.