Canada installs large Lake Ontario sign in latest jab at US

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has retaliated against Donald Trump by erecting a prominent sign on Canada's Lake Ontario shoreline bearing the inscription: "Lake Ontario. Now and Always." The US president initiated the controversy by signing an executive order on Thursday aimed at renaming the lake to "Lake America." Trump has also circulated a series of AI-generated videos depicting himself interacting with a renamed Lake Ontario, which has sparked a verbal exchange between the nations.

In response to trade talks falling apart and the US levying new 50% tariffs on $20bn (C$28bn) of Canadian goods, Canada announced it would impose equal dollar-for-dollar counter-tariffs starting next month. Trump declared the name change order immediately upon signing it. While he possesses considerable authority over the recognition of US landmarks, other countries are not obligated to comply. Canadian authorities have dismissed Trump's actions.

On Saturday, Trump posted several AI-generated videos on social media, including one showing him knocking over a Lake Ontario sign and replacing it with a sign proclaiming: "Welcome to Lake America." Another video featured Canada geese with Trump's hair and rifles patrolling the shore of a newly named Lake America. Ford emphasized Trump's motive as retaliation for Ontario and Canada defending themselves.

Standing before the newly installed Lake Ontario sign, Ford reiterated that this lake will remain Lake Ontario "now and forever," echoing a previous statement by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

The names of the Great Lakes, including Ontario, Huron, Michigan, and Erie, have indigenous origins. Lake Superior was named after a French adaptation of an indigenous word. Lake Ontario, the smallest of the Great Lakes, straddles both Canada and the US state of New York. Trump's executive order grants the US Department of the Interior 30 days to officially update the lake's name in the Geographic Names Information Service, the federal repository for domestic geographic names in the US.

When Trump introduced a similar order in 2025 renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, Mexico rejected the change, alleging a sole nation cannot alter a shared international water body. This decision resulted in a legal dispute between Mexico and Google, with Google Maps displaying "Gulf of America" for US users and "Gulf of Mexico" for Mexican users. Other countries continue to refer to the Gulf of Mexico.