Canada mocks Trump over lake name change

Summary Canada has responded with sarcasm to US President Donald Trump's decision to rename Lake Ontario as 'Lake America,' making it clear that Canadians have no intention of adopting the new name. The billboard follows Trump's directive instructing US federal agencies to use the name 'Lake America' when referring to Lake Ontario. The decision has triggered criticism and amusement in Canada, where the lake has carried the name 'Ontario' for generations and forms part of the international border between Canada and the United States. AI Generated Summary Canada has responded with sarcasm to US President Donald Trump's decision to rename Lake Ontario as 'Lake America,' making it clear that Canadians have no intention of adopting the new name. Ontario Premier Doug Ford put up a large billboard along the Canadian shore of the lake near Grimsby Bay. The sign carries a simple but pointed message: 'Lake Ontario. Now and forever.' The same statement also appears in French, Canada's other official language. Ford also posed for photographs beside the billboard, turning the display into a public response to Trump's naming decision. He said the lake would continue to be known as Lake Ontario long after Trump leaves office. The billboard follows Trump's directive instructing US federal agencies to use the name 'Lake America' when referring to Lake Ontario. The decision has triggered criticism and amusement in Canada, where the lake has carried the name 'Ontario' for generations and forms part of the international border between Canada and the United States. Rather than issuing an aggressive response, several Canadian leaders have chosen humor and sarcasm to push back against the move. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew mocked Trump's decision by comparing him to an aging rock band trying to revive a song that became popular decades ago. His remarks reflected the broader Canadian reaction, with political leaders treating the renaming effort as more symbolic than practical. The dispute comes at a particularly tense time in relations between Canada and the United States. The two neighboring countries have been engaged in growing trade tensions, with negotiations between Ottawa and Washington breaking down last week. Canada has also announced plans to introduce retaliatory tariffs next month in response to US trade measures. The escalating economic dispute has added another layer of friction to an already strained relationship. Despite the political tensions, Lake Ontario itself remains geographically unchanged. The lake stretches across the US-Canada border and serves as an important waterway for both countries. For Canadian officials, the billboard sends a clear message that changing a name on US government documents does not necessarily change what Canadians call the lake.