Apple has updated the name of Lake Ontario to “Lake America” on its Maps service for users in the United States, following an executive order issued by President Donald Trump. However, the lake continues to appear as Lake Ontario for users in Csanada.
The decision adds a new dimension to the growing dispute between Washington and Ottawa, which has already involved trade tensions and retaliatory tariffs.
Apple Follows Google’s Lead
Apple’s move comes after Google made a similar adjustment to its Maps service for US users. Google said its mapping platform reflects changes recorded by official US government sources, resulting in different names being displayed depending on the user's location.
Apple has also previously adopted the US name “Gulf of America” for the Gulf of Mexico on its Maps platform following a similar Trump administration directive.
Trump’s latest order instructed the US Department of the Interior to update the lake’s name in the country’s official geographic names database within 30 days. US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said Apple had been specifically encouraged to make the corresponding change on its mapping platform.
Canada Rejects the New Name
The change has received a very different response in Canada. Ontario Premier Doug Ford has defended the traditional name and announced a sign at the lake carrying the message “Lake Ontario. Now and Always.”
Canada’s government has also taken a tougher position in its trade dispute with Washington, warning that it will respond to US tariffs with equivalent countermeasures.
The disagreement over the lake’s name comes as trade negotiations between the two countries remain strained.
Not Every Map Service Has Changed It
While Apple and Google have adopted “Lake America” for their US audiences, some mapping services have refused to follow the change. MapQuest, for example, has said it will continue using Lake Ontario.
The lake is the smallest of North America’s five Great Lakes and lies between Ontario and New York State.