U.S. President Donald Trump recently issued an executive order to change the name of Lake Ontario to “Lake America,” triggering mixed reactions among Americans, including dissent from some members of the House of Representatives.
Democratic representatives Tim Kennedy, Joe Morelle, and Debbie Dingell introduced the “Hands Off Our Great Lakes Act” to reverse the renaming of Lake Ontario and prevent future alterations to the names of any of the Great Lakes.
The controversy arose when Google renamed Lake Ontario to “Lake America” on its Maps app for U.S. users, following reports that Trump urged Apple to do the same on Apple Maps. In contrast, MapQuest announced that it would retain the original name.
Kennedy, representing a district bordering Canada, discussed the bill with guest host Paul Hunter on The Current, emphasizing the need to overturn the name change as a response to what he deemed a diversion from more critical issues such as economic policies and international relationships.
Acknowledging the historic ties between the U.S. and Canada, Kennedy highlighted the strong bond between the two countries, emphasizing their shared history, economic interdependence, and cultural connections. He expressed determination to protect this relationship from any potential disruptions caused by the executive order.
Despite facing a Republican majority in the House, Kennedy remains optimistic about garnering bipartisan support for the bill, citing previous instances where bipartisan efforts led to successful outcomes. He expressed confidence in the upcoming elections, believing that American voters will respond decisively to current political challenges and advocate for change.
The proposed legislation reflects a broader concern for maintaining the integrity of the Great Lakes’ names and preserving the longstanding relationship between the U.S. and Canada.
