Kingston's Indian Road could get new name

Indian Road in Kingston, Ont., could soon get a new name.

Kingston's city council voted 7-3 Tuesday evening to rename the 800-metre residential street northwest of the downtown core, as well as two parkettes that share its name.

According to Coun. Gregory Ridge's motion to change the name, "Indian" is an outdated term that contravenes a city bylaw forbidding names that are "discriminatory, offensive, or derogatory."

The term is still used in federal legislation to identify some Indigenous peoples under the Indian Act.

But Daniel Shipp, a resident of the street, told council that doesn't justify its continued use as a street name.

"In my opinion, the street name is not only offensive and derogatory … it's very much out of step with our municipal street naming policy," Shipp said.

Coun. Jeff McLaren, whose district includes the road, said the people who developed the area decades ago chose the name to recognize the contributions of Indigenous people in Canada, and pointed to the nearby Mohawk Place and Algonquin Terrace as other examples.

McLaren argued that the city should take a step back and consult residents, Indigenous organizations and First Nations to determine if the name change should go ahead.

Earlier in the meeting, he read a petition with 40 signatures from residents of Indian Road who are against the name change.

McLaren called the decision to change the name without further consultation "paternalistic," but his motion to reconsider the name change failed 7-3.

He did get two changes passed: one to verify and acknowledge the original intent of the street name, and a second to expand consultation.

City staff will now consult Indigenous groups and others affected by the name change, and will also assess the burden on residents who may have to change their addresses.

The matter is expected to return to council in the first half of 2026.