Ontario Now and Forever… Canada Challenges Trump with a Huge Sign
In a symbolic message to U.S. President Donald Trump, Ontario Premier Doug Ford installed a huge sign on the shores of the lake separating Canada from the state of New York.
The sign bears the words “Lake Ontario – Now and Forever” in both English and French, reaffirming the province’s commitment to the lake’s historic name and its rejection of Washington’s decision to rename it.
Ontario’s premier criticized Trump’s decision after the U.S. president signed an executive order seeking to rename the body of water “Lake America.”
Doug Ford, the premier of Ontario, said in a short video message posted on social media: “I’m here on the shores of beautiful Lake Ontario, the crown jewel of our province and our country.”
He added: “You may have heard that President Trump is trying to rename this lake because he doesn’t like Ontario and Canada standing up for themselves.”
He continued: “But let’s be serious. Long before President Trump came along, this lake was called Lake Ontario, and long after President Trump is gone, it will still be called Lake Ontario.”
He emphasized that the province had put up the huge blue sign to remind Trump and everyone else that it is “Lake Ontario, now and forever.”
The renaming of the lake follows Trump’s decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America” in January 2025.
Trade negotiations between the United States and Canada collapsed last week, with each side blaming the other for the failure of intensive talks that lasted three days.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney commented that the lake’s name predates the establishment of both Canada and the United States as countries.
Carney added on social media: “We know that America is changing its trading relationships, its foreign policy, its national landmarks, and even the names of its tributaries.”
Approximately 52% of the lake’s area lies in Canada, while the remaining portion is located in New York State under a treaty dating back to 1909.
Since the beginning of 2025, Trump has repeatedly hinted that Canada could become the 51st U.S. state, an idea Canadian leaders have rejected as absurd.
