{
  "id": 4515068,
  "title": "Some Ontario government, business websites show ‘Lake America’ on maps",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/some-ontario-government-business-websites-show-lake-america-on-maps-4515068",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-30T22:19:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Global News",
    "slug": "global-news-globalnews",
    "url": "https://globalnews.ca/news/12041171/google-maps-lake-america-ontario-government-websites/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "After Ontario Premier Doug Ford unveiled a sign declaring Lake Ontario to be \"now and forever\" Lake America, the province launched an investigation after some government websites displayed the incorrect name on their mapping applications. Stephen Crawford, minister of public and business service delivery and procurement, revealed on X that certain websites obtain map data directly from Google Maps. When social media users noticed maps on sites such as Hydro One, Metrolinx, Infrastructure Ontario, and the LCBO all displayed \"Lake America,\" the Premier's office confirmed the issue.\n\nThe name change occurred following U.S. President Donald Trump's executive order this week, which claimed the U.S. possesses the majority of the \"volume\" of Lake Ontario. This executive order also asserted U.S. responsibility for the body's security, economic activity, and environmental stewardship. In response, Google Maps updated its maps to reflect the name change from official government sources, including the U.S. Geographic Names Information Service (GNIS), which formally altered Lake Ontario to \"Lake America\" recently.\n\nAs a result, users in the U.S. will now see \"Lake America\" on Google Maps, while those in Canada will see Lake Ontario. Individuals from other countries will see a combination, with \"Lake Ontario\" listed but \"Lake America\" in parentheses. Several provincial government websites, including Hydro One's outage map, Infrastructure Ontario's list of properties, and Loblaws' store locator, have displayed the incorrect name, Global News confirmed.\n\nHydro One stated they are aware of the incorrect labeling on their outage map and are working with their vendor to correct the issue as soon as possible. Loblaws also apologized for any confusion caused. Global News reached out to the LCBO for comment. Google Maps, being the copyright holder and data provider for the maps on these websites, is listed as the source for the incorrect labeling.",
  "summary": "Google previously said people in Canada would see Lake Ontario displayed on its Maps application, while it would say Lake America for people in the U.S.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "PBS NewsHour",
        "title": "Ontario premier answers Trump's 'Lake America' with giant 'Lake Ontario' sign",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/ontario-premier-answers-trumps-lake-america-with-giant-lake-ontario",
        "published": "2026-08-30T15:37:07.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Google Maps renames Lake Ontario after Trump’s decree on ‘Lake America’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/google-maps-renames-lake-ontario-after-trumps-decree-on-lake-america",
        "published": "2026-08-30T16:57:21.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "National Post",
        "title": "Trump renaming Lake Ontario ‘like something out of Saturday Night Live,’ says Ford",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/trump-renaming-lake-ontario-like-something-out-of-saturday-night-live",
        "published": "2026-08-30T17:29:45.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Lake Ontario now called Lake America on Google Maps for US users after Trump ordered name change",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/lake-ontario-now-called-lake-america-on-google-maps-for-us-users",
        "published": "2026-08-30T22:01:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Global News",
        "title": "Some Ontario government, business websites show ‘Lake America’ on maps",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/some-ontario-government-business-websites-show-lake-america-on-maps",
        "published": "2026-08-30T22:19:49.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Associated Press",
        "title": "Lake Ontario now called Lake America on Google Maps for US users after Trump ordered name change",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/lake-ontario-now-called-lake-america-on-google-maps-for-us-users-4517789",
        "published": "2026-08-30T22:23:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Lake Ontario now called ‘Lake America’ on Google Maps for US users after Trump order",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/lake-ontario-now-called-lake-america-on-google-maps-for-us-users-4516274",
        "published": "2026-08-30T22:34:36.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Mainichi",
        "title": "Lake Ontario now called Lake America on Google Maps for US users after Trump ordered name change",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/lake-ontario-now-called-lake-america-on-google-maps-for-us-users-4523955",
        "published": "2026-08-30T23:30:06.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}