Canada Rejects Trump's 'Lake America' Name Change, Installs Billboard Defending Lake Ontario

Canada has rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's executive order to rename Lake Ontario as "Lake America," reaffirming that the historic name will remain unchanged. To reinforce its position, Canadian authorities have installed a large billboard along the lake's shoreline declaring, "Lake Ontario. Now and Always."

According to a BBC report published on Sunday, the billboard was erected on the Canadian side of the lake as a public response to the U.S. decision.

Speaking on Thursday, President Trump said all necessary formalities for the name change had been completed and relevant authorities had been notified.

"We've done everything that needed to be done," Trump said.

Trump's executive order argues that the deepest part of the lake lies within U.S. territory and that the United States therefore has jurisdiction over the majority of its waters.

Canada, however, has firmly rejected that claim.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford dismissed the move, saying, "It was called Lake Ontario long before President Trump was born, and it will still be called Lake Ontario long after he is gone."

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney echoed that position, stating that the lake's name is "now and forever" Lake Ontario.

The dispute comes amid escalating trade tensions between the two countries. After trade negotiations broke down, the United States imposed a 50 percent tariff on $20 billion worth of Canadian goods. In response, Canada announced plans to impose matching tariffs on an equivalent value of U.S. imports beginning next month.

Trump signed the executive order renaming the jointly shared lake "Lake America" on Thursday. Canada, however, has made its position clear: for Canadians, the lake's name has been, remains, and will continue to be Lake Ontario.