‘Lake America’ in the U.S., ‘Lake Ontario’ in Canada: Google Maps Name Change Sparks Controversy

Amid the ongoing trade tensions between Canada and the United States, Google has renamed Lake Ontario as “Lake America” for users in the U.S.

The move comes after U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing the lake’s name to be changed in U.S. government databases.

Google has clarified that it updates its maps in accordance with government directives. As a result, users located in the United States will now see the body of water listed as Lake America, while it will continue to appear as Lake Ontario for users in Canada. In other parts of the world, Google Maps will display both names.

The decision has drawn strong reactions from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Ford also put up a large “Lake Ontario” sign on the Canadian side of the lake on Saturday, making it clear that the name will remain unchanged in Canada.

Ford said the lake will always be known as Lake Ontario.

Lake Ontario is one of North America’s five Great Lakes and is located between the province of Ontario and New York State. The province of Ontario itself was named after the lake.