New Delhi, August 28: U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the federal government to rename Lake Ontario, prompting a sharp reaction from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. He emphasized that the lake has a history spanning over 400 years and that its rightful name, Lake Ontario, will remain unchanged.
In a post on the social media platform X, Carney stated, “The name Lake Ontario derives from the Wendat word ‘ontario,’ which means ‘beautiful lake’ or ‘great lake.’ This name is over 400 years old, predating both the formation of Canada’s Confederation and the Declaration of Independence of the United States.”
Carney remarked that while the U.S. is undergoing changes—its trade relations, foreign policies, national monuments, and even the names of its bodies of water are evolving—Canadians understand that accurately naming reality means calling it Lake Ontario. This name has always been Lake Ontario, is still Lake Ontario, and will always be Lake Ontario.
Trump’s directive aims to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America, citing the lake’s economic significance and the United States’ crucial role in the protection of the Great Lakes.
Lake Ontario is a shared body of water between the U.S. and Canada, with the border running through the lake itself.
In his order, Trump stated, “The United States is the largest steward of the Great Lakes, including the water body currently referred to as Lake Ontario.”
He added, “Without U.S. investment and security, this freshwater system would not be as accessible for shipping, recreation, and responsible use as it is today.”
Trump claimed that nine out of the eleven ice-breaking vessels operating in the Great Lakes are run by the U.S. Coast Guard, which keeps shipping routes open without charge.
He concluded, “This lake will continue to play a vital role in shaping America’s future and the global economy.”
Trump directed that all government departments and federal agencies must use the name Lake America in maps, contracts, documents, and official communications.
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