Canada erects 'Lake Ontario' sign amid Trump name spat

Key facts

• Google Maps displays 'Lake America' for US users following President Donald Trump's executive order.
• Canada responded by erecting a large sign on its shoreline proclaiming 'Lake Ontario. Now and Always.'
• The renaming is part of an escalating trade dispute between the US and Canada, including reciprocal tariffs.
• The US order affects official US mapping standards but does not alter Canadian or international naming conventions.
• This mirrors a previous instance where Google Maps labeled the Gulf of Mexico as 'Gulf of America' after a similar executive order.

Google Maps has changed the name of Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' for users within the United States, aligning with an executive order from President Donald Trump. This move is part of an escalating trade dispute between the U.S. and Canada, which has seen both nations impose reciprocal tariffs on billions of dollars worth of goods.

President Trump's order directs U.S. government agencies, including the Geographic Names Information System, to adopt the new name. However, it does not affect Canadian naming conventions or how the rest of the world refers to the lake. Google stated that users in Canada will continue to see 'Lake Ontario,' while those outside both countries will see both names.

This action follows a similar decision last year when Google Maps labeled the Gulf of Mexico as 'Gulf of America' after a Trump executive order. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has rejected the renaming, and Ontario Premier Doug Ford unveiled a large billboard on Canada's shoreline stating 'Lake Ontario. Now and Always.'

Wendat Nation grand chief Pierre Picard called Trump's move an unacceptable attempt to erase Indigenous history and culture. The dispute over the lake's name is occurring amidst stalled talks to resolve a broader trade dispute involving a 50% US tariff on Canadian steel and retaliatory tariffs from Ottawa.