President Donald Trump don sign executive order to change name of Lake Ontario to Lake America. The move come as trade talks between US and Canada collapse, with US impose new 50% tariffs on $20bn worth of Canadian goods. Canada say dem go implement counter tariffs next month.
But Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney say the name Lake Ontario don dey for more than 400 years, wey predate Canadian Confederation and US Declaration of Independence. ‘We know say America dey change. But this lake na Lake Ontario – today and forever,’ Carney write for social media.
This one no be first time Trump dey rename water body. E sign similar order for 2025 wey change Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America. Mexico reject am, and Google Maps dey show different names depending on user location. The White House even block Associated Press reporters over the naming, and AP sue the government.
The new order direct US Department of Interior to update the Geographic Names Information Service. But Canada no need to recognise am. Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston say, ‘We dey inside real foolishness now. Na Lake Ontario, buddy.’ Industry Minister Melanie Joly also say, ‘We go always call am Lake Ontario.’
Trump sign the order for Oval Office on Thursday, e say e no be direct message to Canada, but say Canada don dey rip US off for trade. ‘We get gulf and we get lake. Now all we need na ocean. So maybe we go change name of Atlantic or Pacific,’ Trump yarn.
Canadian PM Mark Carney also point out say the name Lake Ontario come from Wendat word Ontari’io, wey mean ‘the lake dey beautiful, the lake big’. E say the name older than both Canada Confederation and US Declaration of Independence.
Some US politicians no happy. Democratic lawmaker Debbie Dingell plan to introduce bill to nullify the change, pipo call am ‘idiotic’. New York Governor Kathy Hochul say her state no go call am Lake America. Wisconsin governor even joke say e rename Lake Michigan to Lake Wisconsin.
Democrats also joke say the rename go spoil acronym for Great Lakes – HOMES (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior). Now e go become SHAME. New York Governor Kathy Hochul post say, ‘Thanks to Donald Trump, e don become SHAME.’ Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer share audio of children singing HOMES song.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum praise the move, say ‘We dey on am, Mr. President!’ E say the name suppose reflect America greatness.
