Political leaders in Canada are strongly opposing a recent decision made by U.S. President Donald Trump to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America, labeling the move as offensive and unacceptable across the border.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford took to social media platform X to emphasize that the name of Lake Ontario remains unchanged and will continue to be recognized as such by Canadians and the global community.
Similarly, Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles echoed Ford’s sentiment, affirming that the lake will always be referred to as Lake Ontario. Trump’s executive order to rename the lake, one of the Great Lakes situated between Ontario and New York, was signed on Thursday. The province of Ontario, established in 1867, derived its name from Lake Ontario.
During a speech near a map displaying “Lake America,” Trump criticized Canada, mentioning that the country desires state-like treatment despite not being a state, and accused Canada of unfair practices towards the U.S.
The Wendat Nation strongly condemned Trump’s executive order, expressing outrage and shock at the attempt to erase the historical significance attached to the name “Lake Ontario.” Grand Chief Pierre Picard, speaking on behalf of the Wendat Nation, asserted that the name holds deep cultural and identity roots for their community, denouncing any efforts to alter it.
Picard revealed plans for a meeting between the U.S. Consul General in Quebec City and the U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra, in response to the controversy surrounding the lake’s renaming. He highlighted that the word “Ontario” originates from the Wendat term “Ontarïio’, meaning ‘the lake is beautiful, great.'”
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, representing the largest city along Lake Ontario’s shores, emphasized that Trump’s actions will not diminish Canadians’ unity and determination. Chow had previously criticized the idea of renaming the lake as unneighborly. Prime Minister Mark Carney also affirmed that the lake’s name will not change, emphasizing its longstanding historical significance predating both Confederation and the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
Trump’s immediate renaming of Lake Ontario draws parallels to his previous decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.”