Toronto backtracks on removing businessman's name from historic house after racism controversy (msn.com)
City officials in Toronto have reversed course on a controversial decision to remove the name of a prominent early 20th century Toronto businessman from a historic home, in light of new information brought forward by his descendants.
City council voted in April to remove Robert Stapleton Caldecott's name from his former home's heritage designation on the grounds that he held restrictive — some said racist — views on immigration.
But earlier this week, council voted to restore his name after Caldecott's descendants complained that he was being unfairly condemned and produced research in his defence.
"No way was [Caldecott] interested in dividing people by their physical appearance," Lucelle Schmitz told CBC Toronto, from her home in Saskatchewan.
"He was more concerned with how we can make Canada as a whole a prosperous nation."
*More in the link
City officials in Toronto have reversed course on a controversial decision to remove the name of a prominent early 20th century Toronto businessman from a historic home, in light of new information brought forward by his descendants.
City council voted in April to remove Robert Stapleton Caldecott's name from his former home's heritage designation on the grounds that he held restrictive — some said racist — views on immigration.
But earlier this week, council voted to restore his name after Caldecott's descendants complained that he was being unfairly condemned and produced research in his defence.
"No way was [Caldecott] interested in dividing people by their physical appearance," Lucelle Schmitz told CBC Toronto, from her home in Saskatchewan.
"He was more concerned with how we can make Canada as a whole a prosperous nation."
*More in the link