A city councillor's push to rename Paul Haggis Park after accusations of sexual misconduct against its namesake surfaced has gained the support of a London abused women's shelter.
In a letter going to the community and protective services committee next week, Anova states it is backing Councillor Mo Salih's motion to strip the south-end park of its name.
"The renaming of the park is a symbolic gesture seeking to ensure that those that we hold in high esteem do not themselves uphold rape culture and the condoning of sexual violence. Nevertheless, it is symbolic and should be a part of the larger effort that this City Council has undertaken to ensure London is a ‘Safe City’, as part of the United Nations Safe Cities Initiative," Anova wrote in the letter.
Salih was quick to suggest the green space be renamed after accusations against Haggis, an Oscar-winning filmmaker and London native, came to light on January 5.
In a lawsuit filed December 15, 2017, Haggis is accused of sexually assaulting a woman, an accusation the 64-year-old has denied in a pending countersuit. The original lawsuit was later amended to include complaints from three other women.
No criminal charges have been laid against Haggis and none of the accusations against him have been proven in court.
Nevertheless, Salih has submitted a letter to the committee asking staff replace the Paul Haggis Park sign with one listing the park's address until a new name for the space can be selected.
The area at 2875 Bateman Trail was constructed and dubbed Paul Haggis Park in 2011 after the Million Dollar Baby screenwriter was given a lifetime recognition by the city in 2006.
Haggis was born in London and graduated from Fanshawe College's cinematography program before moving to California. He won Academy Awards for the films "Crash" and "Million Dollar Baby."