Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Ford Counters Trump's Lake America Order With Lake Ontario Sign
Donald Trump ordered United States federal agencies to call Lake Ontario “Lake America.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford disagreed and put up a very large sign saying “Lake Ontario.
Now and Always.”
The sign was placed near Grimsby, Ontario, and included French.
Ford joked that Trump’s action looked like a Saturday Night Live skit.
He also said Canada and the United States should solve their trade disagreement and work together.
The two countries have been arguing about tariffs and other trade demands.
Some Canadian leaders made fun of Trump’s renaming decision.
Indigenous representatives said the original name comes from the Huron word for “lake of shining waters.”
Canada’s prime minister said Trump cannot force Canada to use the new name.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford unveiled a bilingual “Lake Ontario. Now and Always” sign near Grimsby, Ontario.
The sign responded to Donald Trump’s order directing United States federal agencies to use “Lake America.”
Ford mocked the renaming as something from Saturday Night Live and said the lake would remain Lake Ontario.
The dispute unfolded as Canada and the United States faced failed trade talks, tariffs and escalating political criticism.
Canadian officials and Indigenous representatives said the lake’s long-established name has Huron origins and should not be erased.
- Who
- Ontario Premier Doug Ford, United States President Donald Trump, Canadian leaders, Indigenous representatives and Prime Minister Mark Carney.
- What
- Ford unveiled a large sign reaffirming the name Lake Ontario after Trump directed United States federal agencies to use “Lake America.”
- When
- The sign was unveiled Saturday, and Ford discussed the dispute on ABC’s This Week on Sunday, amid ongoing trade tensions.
- Where
- Near Grimsby, Ontario, on the Canadian shoreline of Lake Ontario.
- Why
- Ford said the existing name would remain and urged Canada and the United States to resolve their trade and tariff dispute.
Canadian Position
Trump Administration Position
The lake’s name
Canadian Position
Ford, Carney and other Canadian voices reaffirmed “Lake Ontario” and said the established name would outlast Trump’s presidency.
Trump Administration Position
Trump ordered United States federal agencies to use “Lake America” and continued promoting the name publicly.
Meaning of the dispute
Canadian Position
Canadian leaders and commentators characterized the renaming as ridicule, pressure on Canada or an effort to make it subordinate to the United States.
Trump Administration Position
Trump dismissed Ford’s criticism as “bluster” and continued using the renaming as part of his political messaging.
Trade relationship
Canadian Position
Ford said cooperation would create jobs and opportunities, while arguing that Trump’s tariff policies and threats were damaging the United States economy.
Trump Administration Position
Trump threatened further consequences if Canada did not “get in line,” as trade negotiations remained stalled and tariffs increased on both sides.
Indigenous history
Canadian Position
Pierre Picard and Carney said changing the name could erase Indigenous history, culture and identity because the name has Huron origins.
Trump Administration Position
The order directs United States federal agencies, while Canada maintains that it is not required to adopt the new name.
- Sign message
- “Lake Ontario. Now and Always,” displayed in English and French.
- Sign dimensions
- The sign measures 24 by 12 feet and stands on six-foot legs, with its top about 18 feet above the ground.
- United States order
- Donald Trump directed United States federal agencies to refer to Lake Ontario as “Lake America.”
- Ford’s response
- Ford compared the renaming to a Saturday Night Live skit and said the lake would continue to be called Lake Ontario.
- Trade dispute
- Canada and the United States saw negotiations collapse, while tariffs and Canadian retaliatory tariffs remained part of the dispute.
- Indigenous origin
- Lake Ontario comes from the Huron word “oniatarí:io,” meaning “lake of shining waters.”
- Canadian position
- Prime Minister Mark Carney said Trump cannot require Canada to adopt the new name.
