President Donald Trump has pressed Apple to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America on its Maps platform, following a newly signed executive order. The order, signed on Thursday, directs Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to update the Geographic Names Information System and other mapping services to reflect the change for US users.
Apple received the request directly, according to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who told Fox News that the president’s request was underway and the change would likely appear on Apple maps soon.
Google already updated its US‑based maps over the weekend to show Lake America for US residents, while users in Canada continue to see Lake Ontario, as the service distinguishes between territories.
Canadian utilities and agencies faced backlash after third‑party mapping services displayed the new name accidentally. Hydro One, a Toronto‑based power company, apologized on X, stating it worked with its vendor to correct the error and restore the name Lake Ontario. Hydro Ottawa and the Liquor Board of Ontario also briefly showed the name Lake America.
MapQuest, a pet‑friendly free web mapping service, opted not to change the name but introduced a feature that lets users rename the lake themselves. The platform gained popularity in Canada after its announcement, topping the free‑app download charts on the Apple App Store.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford erected a large sign at the lakeshore reading “Lake Ontario Now and Always” in English and French, underscoring opposition to the name change. Ford stated to American TV host George Stephanopoulos that the lake will remain Lake Ontario for “hundreds of years.”
Many of the Great Lakes—Ontario, Huron, Michigan, and Erie—originate from indigenous words, adding cultural weight to the dispute. The renaming move coincides with the collapse of US‑Canada trade negotiations, fueling further tension.
