Google Maps has made a controversial change for the second time in 18 months, sparking anger across Canada. Users in the United States accessing Google Maps will no longer see the Lake Ontario name for the 193-mile-long body of water just north of Rochester, New York.
The change follows an executive order signed last week by President Donald Trump that renames Lake Ontario to Lake America. Both the Google Maps apps and website have adopted the new title. The northern, western, and southwestern shores form part of the Canadian province of Ontario, while the southern and eastern sections belong to New York state.
Canada and New York reject the new name
Officials in both Canada and New York, including Governor Kathy Hochul, have confirmed they will continue to refer to the body of water as Lake Ontario. This could create confusion depending on which mapping and navigation app is used. As of Sunday afternoon, Apple Maps was still displaying the Lake Ontario name, though that may change quickly.
A similar situation unfolded in February 2025, when an executive order signed by President Trump changed the title of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America on 20 January 2025. Once the US Geographic Names Information System officially updated the name, Google Maps followed suit on 10 February 2025, with Apple Maps making the change the next day.
Lake America, or Lake Ontario, forms a natural border between the United States and Canada. The international boundary runs directly through the middle of the lake, separating New York state to the south and east from the Canadian province of Ontario to the north and west.
What users outside North America will see
Google confirmed on Saturday that while the Lake America name appears for users in the United States, those accessing the app or website in Canada will still see the Lake Ontario name. Users outside both the United States and Canada will see the body of water referred to as “Lake Ontario”, with “Lake America” appearing in parentheses.
President Trump has the authority to determine how the US government refers to the lake and other geographic landmarks. However, he cannot compel other countries to adopt the Lake America name.
Canadian officials stand firm
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, already at odds with Trump over the recently imposed 50% tariffs on Canada, said his country will “forever” call the body of water Lake Ontario. Ontario Premier Doug Ford subsequently unveiled a sign on the Canadian side reaffirming the Lake Ontario name.
Source
Image: phonearena.com
