Historic Dundas Street across Toronto will soon have a new name.

By a vote of 17-7, Toronto city councillors have decided to begin the process to rename Dundas Street because of it’s connection to 18th century Scottish politician Henry Dundas who played a role in delaying the abolition of the slave trade.

Before the vote, Mayor John Tory, who supports the renaming, told council stripping the name Dundas from city properties, including parks, TTC stations and Yonge Dundas Square will reaffirm Toronto’s values and today’s sensibilities.

The mayor added that Henry Dundas had no direct connection to the city, saying the politician never visited nor did anything for Toronto.

City staff are expected to put forward a selection of new names to the mayor’s executive committee next year, at the start of a public consultation process.

The estimated cost to change signage across Toronto is $5-million.