- Trump justified the move by saying, The Canadian officials have treated us very badly, and They are nasty people.
- Critics noted the name 'Lake Ontario' is more than 400 years old, predating both the Confederation of Canada and the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America.
- A Canadian official hinted at the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, also a move made by Trump, and said, Canadians also know that naming reality means calling it Lake Ontario – then, now and always.
- Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew mocked the move, saying, He thought he had a real golden oldie with the 'Gulf of Mexico', but everybody here thinks it's a little sad and not his best work.
- Vermont’s Governor Phil Scott said the news is pretty disappointing, adding that America and Canada should be at the negotiating table finding a path forward, and that this escalation does nothing to help American or Canadian families and businesses.
- Sen. Bernie Sanders simply wrote, No, President Trump, and added that The American people don’t want to rename Lake Ontario Lake America, but want affordable healthcare, childcare, housing and education.
President Donald Trump's recent executive order to rename Lake Ontario as 'Lake America' has ignited a wave of criticism from both Canadian officials and U.S. politicians.
The announcement, made on Thursday, was described as 'some real foolishness' by Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, who emphasized, 'It’s Lake Ontario, buddy.'
Vermont Governor Phil Scott expressed disappointment, stating that the move does 'nothing to help American or Canadian families and businesses.'67
Trump justified the name change by claiming, 'The Canadian officials have treated us very badly.' He also hinted at further renaming efforts, suggesting the 'Gulf of Mexico' could become the 'Gulf of America.'1
Critics have pointed out that the name 'Ontario' has historical significance, being over 400 years old and predating both the Canadian Confederation and the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
Senator Bernie Sanders succinctly responded to the proposal with a firm 'No, President Trump.' He argued that the American public is more concerned with issues like affordable healthcare, childcare, housing, and education than with renaming lakes.89
As trade tensions escalate between the U.S. and Canada, this controversial move may further strain relations between the neighboring countries.
“Critics note the name 'Lake Ontario' is more than 400 years old, predating both the Confederation of Canada and the Declaration of Independence. Vermont's Governor Phil Scott called the move 'pretty disappointing,' saying it does 'nothing to help American or Canadian families and businesses.'”
