Kingston’s Mayor Bryan Paterson responded with amusement to Donald Trump’s decision to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America,” calling it absurd and laughable. Paterson emphasized the strong historical and cultural significance of the lake’s name, rooted in the Wendat word Ontari’io, meaning “the lake is beautiful, the lake is big.”
The announcement by Trump was met with widespread criticism in Canada, with Prime Minister Mark Carney affirming that the lake’s name, in use for over 400 years, will not change for Canadians. The Wendat Nation, represented by Grand Chief Pierre Picard, expressed outrage at the attempt to erase their heritage through this renaming.
In Kingston, where the lake holds deep significance as a focal point of the city’s identity, residents dismissed the renaming as a joke. Paterson highlighted the community’s attachment to Lake Ontario, reflected in various activities and events around its shores, including the popular Lake Ontario Park.
Meanwhile, across the border in Rochester, New York, the city council reaffirmed its commitment to continue using the original name, Lake Ontario, in all official capacities. The council emphasized the enduring cultural legacy of the Great Lake and rejected any attempt to erase centuries of Indigenous history through a mere nickname change.
Despite the escalating tensions and provocations, Paterson underscored the community’s unity and resilience, stating that the value of relationships and friendship transcends political rhetoric. The mayor emphasized that Kingston will remain steadfast in preserving its heritage and connection to Lake Ontario, regardless of external pressures or whimsical directives.
