Amherst, N.S., not changing its name

The mayor of Amherst, N.S., says council's decision not to change the town's name at this time may be different in the future if enough citizens demand it.

David Kogonsaid he has had one complaint about that decision and is meeting with the person who made it later this week.

• P.E.I. Mi'kmaq elder applauds Montreal decision to remove Amherst name from street sign

• Mi'kmaq Confederacy chiefs say historical statues should reflect bad with the good

But Kogon also said unless there was considerable pressure from constituents, a change isn't likely.

"We'd obviously listen to that and look further into things," he said.

"There would have to be a very, very large movement, I think, to make things happen."

A practical matter

Kogonsaid the decision, which was discussed after Montreal's mayor announced the city was removing Amherst's name from astreet,can't be taken lightly by council.

The costs associated with the change are a factor that must be considered, Kogon said.

We learn from history so we don't repeat it. I'm always for education.- David Kogon

"To take a street name in Montreal and change it is,you know, a couple hundred bucks to put new signs up.

"But to change the name of a town would cost both the public sector and the private sector millions of dollars."

'Learn from history'

Kogon said most people in Amherst don't associate the name of their town withJeffrey Amherst, the18thcentury generalthatadvocated for the eradication of Indigenous peoples.

The mayor added that he is open to the idea of raising awareness about the town's namesake.

"We learn from history so we don't repeat it. I'm always for education," he said.

"If people understand something, they're not going to let it happen again."

On P.E.I., Keptin John JoeSark of theMi'kmaqGrand Council has been lobbying Parks Canada to have Amherst's name removed from the Port-la-Joye-Fort Amherst national historic site.

• MORE P.E.I. NEWS |Lucy Maud Montgomery and P.E.I. to be featured in Heritage Minute
• MORE P.E.I. NEWS |'Where are our families?' Refugee sponsor groups frustrated by delays