Ottawa city council has unanimously voted to begin the process of renaming Trump Avenue, a residential street in the city’s Central Park neighbourhood that has carried the name of U.S. President Donald Trump for more than 25 years. The decision launches a community consultation process that is expected to lead to a new street name being considered by council next year.
The motion was introduced Wednesday by River Ward Coun. Riley Brockington, who said the renaming represents “a new beginning” for residents. Brockington will lead the consultation process and work with residents to develop potential replacement names. The final choice will eventually require approval from Ottawa city council.
Trump Avenue is located in Ottawa’s Central Park neighbourhood, an area developed in the late 1990s and early 2000s with a strong New York City theme. Several nearby streets and public spaces have names connected to New York, including Manhattan Crescent, Bloomingdale Street, Staten Way and Madison Park. When the neighbourhood was developed, Trump was primarily known as a prominent New York real estate developer, and his name was used as part of that broader theme.
The proposal to change the name is not new. Ottawa previously considered renaming the street in 2021, during Trump’s first term as U.S. president. At that time, residents voted on the issue, but the result was tied at 21-21, leaving the existing name unchanged. Concerns about the administrative work involved in changing addresses and notifying organizations also contributed to the earlier decision not to proceed.
Brockington said there has been an ongoing debate about the street name since he took office in 2014, with residents and others periodically raising the issue. He said the current process will give the community an opportunity to determine what the street should be called in the future. Residents may choose to continue with the neighbourhood’s New York theme or propose a name that takes a completely different direction. Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe has also spoken in favour of removing Trump’s name from the street. The mayor said he does not support having something in Ottawa named after Trump, while the discussion has taken place against a backdrop of strained Canada–U.S. relations. The timing of the council decision comes amid continued disagreements between Canada and the United States over trade, tariffs and other issues. Brockington said the current economic and political tensions contributed to his decision to bring the issue forward, although the street itself was originally named for its connection to the New York theme rather than Trump’s presidency.
The renaming process will involve consultation with affected residents and the development of several possible names. Brockington has said he expects a shortlist of options to be prepared, with residents having an opportunity to participate before a final recommendation is brought to council. Changing the street name will also require administrative updates involving municipal records, signage, emergency services, utilities, Canada Post and residents’ personal documents. The city already has established procedures for commemorative street naming, including public consultation and review against municipal naming criteria. No replacement name has been selected yet. The new name is expected to be brought forward for consideration by Ottawa city council in 2027, meaning Trump Avenue will remain the official street name until the renaming process is completed and formally approved.