Ottawa moves to rename Trump Avenue amid tensions with Washington

Friday 25 September 2026 - 11:11

By: Azzat Manal

Ottawa moves to rename Trump Avenue amid tensions with Washington

Ottawa city council has unanimously voted to begin the process of renaming Trump Avenue, a residential street in the Canadian capital, as tensions between Canada and the United States continue to affect relations between the two neighboring countries.

The street is located in Ottawa's Central Park neighbourhood, an area developed around a New York-themed naming concept. Several streets in the community bear names associated with New York, reflecting the city's influence on the design of the neighbourhood when it was developed more than two decades ago. Trump Avenue was named after Donald Trump, who was then widely known as a New York real estate developer.

The motion to start the renaming process was introduced by River Ward Councillor Riley Brockington. He said the change could represent a new beginning for residents and proposed that the community participate in selecting a replacement name. The final name has not yet been decided.

Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe also expressed support for removing Trump's name from the street. He said he was uncomfortable with the idea of having something in the city named after the U.S. president, citing what he described as Trump's hostile approach toward Canada.

The decision comes against the backdrop of strained Canada–U.S. relations, particularly over trade. The two countries have been engaged in disputes over tariffs and negotiations, while Trump's broader comments about Canada's relationship with the United States have added political sensitivity to bilateral ties.

The street's name had already attracted debate before the latest decision. A previous attempt to change it in 2021 did not succeed, in part because of concerns about the administrative work involved, including updating addresses and notifying postal, emergency and other services.

Under the new process, residents will be consulted before a replacement name is selected and formally adopted. The change will also require municipal records, signage and other services connected to the address system to be updated.

The decision is taking place at a time when symbolic disputes have increasingly accompanied broader disagreements between Ottawa and Washington. The relationship between the two countries remains closely connected through trade, security, energy and extensive cross-border economic ties, making developments at both the federal and local levels a subject of wider public attention.

For now, Trump Avenue will continue to carry its existing name while the consultation and renaming process moves forward. Ottawa has not yet announced the street's future name.