- Ottawa City Council unanimously voted on August 26 to begin the process of renaming Trump Avenue, a street that has carried the US president's name for about 25 years.
- This decision comes shortly after Trump signed an executive order to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America.
- The council is considering 'Taco Avenue' and 'Obama Avenue' as potential new names for Trump Avenue.
- Riley Brockington, an Ottawa councillor, plans to work with residents on the renaming process after the city's October election.
- In 2021, a survey of 62 households on Trump Avenue revealed that 21 voted yes for a name change, 21 voted no, and 20 did not vote.
- Trump's executive order to rename Lake Ontario has drawn criticism and added to tensions between Canada and the US.
Ottawa City Council has initiated the process to rename Trump Avenue, a street named after the former U.S. president for 25 years, amid rising tensions following Trump's controversial renaming of Lake Ontario to 'Lake America'. The council is considering names like 'Taco Avenue' and 'Obama Avenue'.123
The name 'Taco' is a Wall Street nickname for Trump, meaning 'Trump Always Chickens Out', reflecting his unpredictable policy changes. Ottawa Councillor Riley Brockington described the current name as an embarrassment and plans to engage residents post-October elections for the renaming process.4
In a previous attempt to change the name in 2021, a survey of 62 households resulted in a tie, with 21 in favor, 21 against, and 20 abstaining. Tim Tierney, another Ottawa councillor, noted that while many Canadian geographical features bear Trump's name, Trump Avenue is the only one directly named after him.5
Trump's recent executive order to rename Lake Ontario has drawn criticism, with the former president stating, “The Canadian officials have treated us very badly. They're nasty people,” further straining relations between Canada and the U.S.
The council's decision reflects a growing sentiment among residents who feel the name does not represent their community's values, as they seek a more fitting identity for their neighborhood.
“The renaming process requires support from more than half of the street's 62 households, and a 2021 vote was split 21-21 with 20 not voting. Councillor Riley Brockington plans to work with residents after the October election, calling the current name an embarrassment.”
