
September 1st, 2026
Google has updated its mapping application to label Lake Ontario as "Lake America" for users in the United States, a change that follows a recent executive order by President Donald Trump renaming the lake, the global technology company has stated.
The Google Maps update comes days after Trump's order, amid an escalating trade war with Canada that has led both countries to impose billions of dollars in extra tariffs on each other's goods.
It mirrors Google's move in 2025, when Trump ordered the Gulf of Mexico to be renamed the Gulf of America.
In a blog post on Saturday, Google said its decision was based on its practice of using names assigned by the U.S. Geographic Names Information System, also known as GNIS.
Google stated in a brief announcement that users in the U.S. will see 'Lake America' on Maps, while those in Canada will continue to see 'Lake Ontario,' and individuals outside both countries will see both names.
These updates, which are now being rolled out, follow the company's long-standing policy for bodies of water whose names differ from country to country.
Trump’s decision on Thursday to rename the lake drew scorn and apathy on both sides of the border.
By Saturday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford had countered the order with a billboard-sized retort on the Canadian shore: “Lake Ontario. Now and forever.”
The White House, the office of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ford’s office did not immediately comment Sunday on Google’s decision.
The internet company, which is headquartered in Mountain View, California, operates a leading search engine and a major digital advertising network, and its parent company is Alphabet Inc.
September 1st, 2026

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