Google renamed Lake Ontario Lake America on its map service in line with a directive from the U.S. government. In a statement Saturday, the company said users in the United States would see the lake’s new name.
Google said names on its maps are updated to reflect changes in official government sources. Users in Canada will continue to see the name Lake Ontario. In countries outside the United States and Canada, the lake will be displayed as Lake Ontario (Lake America).
Change followed executive order
The naming update came after an official change by the U.S. Geographic Names Information System, which is responsible for standardizing geographic names.
An executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump requires American institutions to use the new name in all official databases. Trump had announced that the change would take effect immediately in response to recent trade tensions.
Objection from Canada
Ontario Premier Doug Ford objected to the change and unveiled a new Lake Ontario sign Saturday to emphasize the lake’s historic name.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also condemned the executive order. Carney said the name Ontario derives from the name used by the Wendat, one of the Indigenous peoples of North America.
Trade tensions continue
The naming dispute took place as the trade war between the United States and Canada intensified. Starting September 8, Canada will impose retaliatory tariffs ranging from 15% to 50% on U.S. goods worth 27.6 billion Canadian dollars, or 20 billion dollars.
The decision followed the failure of trade negotiations between Canada and the United States and the U.S. imposition, on August 22, of a 50% tariff on Canadian goods worth 27.6 billion Canadian dollars.
