OTTAWA As geopolitical and trade tensions between Canada and the United States continue to boil over, a local city councillor is renewing efforts to wipe a surprising piece of American branding off the map in Canada's capital: Trump Avenue.
River Ward Councillor Riley Brockington stated during a city council meeting that he intends to lead a renewed, community-backed process to strip U.S. President Donald Trump's name from the residential street.
Where is "Trump Avenue"?
Many residents and visitors to Ottawa are unaware that the street even exists. Trump Avenue is a small residential pocket featuring 62 homes located in the Central Park neighbourhood, just off Merivale Road.
Developed decades ago, the neighbourhood features a New York City-themed motif, sitting alongside other nearby geographic nods such as Madison Park, Manhattan Crescent, and Staten Street.
A Renewed Push After Past Failure
This is not the first time the street's moniker has faced scrutiny. In early 2021, following intense polarization surrounding U.S. politics, Councillor Brockington surveyed the neighbourhood's residents regarding a potential name change.
That informal poll ended in a dead heat, resulting in a 21-21 tie among responding households, with 20 others abstaining. Because City of Ottawa bylaws require a threshold of at least 50 percent plus one of total residents to initiate a municipal street renaming, the motion stalled and the name remained.
However, speaking to council, Brockington argued that the current climate, compounded by aggressive trade actions, threats of steep U.S. tariffs, and inflammatory remarks from Washington, has pushed the situation past the point of debate.
"I'm embarrassed that there is a street in River Ward called Trump Avenue, and I'm embarrassed that, in the nation's capital, we have Donald Trump honoured in this respect," Brockington told council. "We're past the point of debating whether or not the street name should remain Trump Avenue. It should not."
The councillor indicated he will work directly with local homeowners to navigate a formal community led renaming process in the upcoming council term.