Apple has changed the name of Lake Ontario to “Lake America” on its Maps app for users in the United States. The change follows an order from US President Donald Trump. His administration has directed federal agencies to use the new name as tensions between the US and Canada continue.
People using Apple Maps in Canada will still see the lake listed as Lake Ontario. Apple has not yet publicly explained its decision.
The move comes after trade discussions between Washington and Ottawa broke down. The US has since introduced new tariffs on Canadian products. The latest measures include 50% tariffs on about $20bn (£14.8bn; C$28bn) worth of goods.
Canada has promised to respond with matching tariffs. Prime Minister Mark Carney‘s government has also criticised the US approach to the negotiations. Carney has called on Washington to take the talks seriously. He said negotiations cannot move forward if the US continues to make what Canada considers unreasonable demands.
Trump’s executive order gives the US Department of the Interior 30 days to record the new name in the Geographic Names Information Service. The database is the official US government system for geographical names. US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has said Trump specifically encouraged Apple to make the change on its Maps service.
Google has also changed the name for users in the United States. Its Maps service now displays “Lake America” in the US, while Canadian users continue to see Lake Ontario. Google said its maps are updated based on official government sources. The company made a similar change last year when the Gulf of Mexico was renamed the Gulf of America for US users.
The latest decision has sparked criticism online. Some people in Canada have strongly rejected the new name. Canadian officials have also made their position clear. Ontario has placed a sign near the lake reading, “Lake Ontario. Now and Always.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the sign was meant to remind people that the lake’s name remains Lake Ontario. Lake Ontario is the smallest of North America’s five Great Lakes. It lies between Ontario and New York State.
Four Great Lakes have names linked to Indigenous languages. Lake Superior has a name derived from French. Apple and Google are not the only map services involved. MapQuest has said it will not change the name. The issue has become another point of tension between the US and Canada during an already difficult period in their relationship.
