Toronto, Ontario – A new bilingual sign reading “Lake Ontario now and always” was placed on the shoreline of Lake Ontario on Tuesday. The structure, funded at a cost of $25,000, was installed by the Ontario Premier’s Office as a visible affirmation of the lake’s official name.
Premier Doug Ford announced the installation through his office, noting that the sign serves as a direct response to a recent declaration made by U.S. President Donald Trump. The sign, presented in both English and French, underscores the province’s commitment to preserving the traditional name of the waterway.
President Trump had earlier issued an order that referred to the lake as “Lake America,” a designation that prompted criticism from Canadian officials. In reaction, the Ontario government moved to reaffirm the lake’s identity by commissioning the bilingual marker.
The $25,000 investment covers the design, production, and placement of the sign at a prominent location along the Toronto waterfront. Its bilingual format reflects Ontario’s official language policy, offering equal visibility to both English and French speakers.
By installing the sign, the provincial government aims to reinforce the historical and geographical name of the lake, countering the alternative label introduced by the U.S. president. The initiative also highlights the province’s willingness to allocate resources for symbolic gestures that address cross‑border naming disputes.
The sign now stands as a permanent feature on the lake’s edge, intended to remind visitors and residents alike of the officially recognized name, “Lake Ontario,” and to signal the province’s stance on the matter.