#LakeOntario

en.killbait.com

Trump's Proposed Renaming of Lake Ontario Faces Strong Local Opposition

President Donald Trump's initiative to rename Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' has encountered significant resistance in communities that strongly supported him, including areas where he won over 60% of the vote in the 2024 election. The renaming, part of a broader effort to rebrand geographical features as a response to escalating trade disputes with Canada, was implemented for U.S. federal agencies. While Google and Apple Maps quickly updated to reflect the new name for U.S. users, the reaction along Lake Ontario has been overwhelmingly negative, even among Trump supporters. At a recent county legislature meeting in Oswego County, residents wearing Lake Ontario merchandise and holding handmade signs defended the original name, leading the Republican-controlled body to unanimously denounce 'Lake America.' Majority Leader John Martino, a Trump supporter, declared, 'It's Lake Ontario. It's going to be Lake Ontario. That's it.' Despite being a Trump supporter, 23-year-old bridge maintenance worker Ivan Justice admitted he only uses 'Lake America' to annoy people, preferring 'Lake Ontario' to avoid confusion. Local resident John Hagner, a longtime Trump backer, recounted an incident where he was 'screamed at' by two elderly women after using the new name. Business owners in the area have capitalized on the controversy, with Lake Ontario-themed merchandise selling out rapidly. A national August Reuters/Ipsos poll revealed that 63% of Americans oppose the renaming, compared to just 14% in favor, with more Republicans opposing the change than supporting it. Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY), whose district includes much of the lake's shoreline, has avoided taking a stance, suggesting Trump's move is merely a 'troll' tactic. White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers defended the renaming, claiming Canada has been a 'bad neighbor' by 'ripping off our country for years.' The controversy has transformed casual conversations into a form of provocation, with local Facebook page operator Bob Ruggio noting, 'It's more like who can trigger who.' The renaming effort, which echoes Trump's 2025 rebranding of the Gulf of Mexico as the 'Gulf of America,' has failed to gain traction in the Great Lakes region, highlighting the disconnect between federal policy and local sentiment.

buff.ly

Guided Walks

I am now offering private guided walks in the Greater Toronto Area. I am available to lead walks for individuals and groups throughout Toronto’s ravines, parks and trail systems. The walks ca…