Google Maps users in the United States will now see Lake Ontario under the name Lake America. The company announced on Saturday that the update was implemented in line with a directive from the U.S. government.
Google said it updates geographical names on its maps based on changes made in official government sources. The name Lake Ontario will remain unchanged for users in Canada, while the lake will be displayed as Lake Ontario (Lake America) in countries other than the United States and Canada.
An executive order launched the change
The update followed an official name change by the U.S. Geographic Names Information System, which is responsible for standardizing geographical names.
An executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump requires American institutions to use the name Lake America in all official databases. Trump had announced that the change would take effect immediately in response to recent trade tensions.
Canada reacts
Ontario Premier Doug Ford objected to the decision and unveiled a new Lake Ontario sign on Saturday to highlight 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.
Tariff tensions continue
The dispute over the name came as the trade war between the United States and Canada intensified. Canada will impose counter-tariffs ranging from 15% to 50% on U.S. products starting September 8. The products are worth a total of 27.6 billion Canadian dollars, or 20 billion dollars.
Canada’s decision followed the failure of trade negotiations between the two countries to produce an agreement. On August 22, the United States had imposed a 50% tariff on Canadian-origin goods worth 27.6 billion Canadian dollars.
