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Rep. Debbie Dingell of Michigan announced plans to introduce legislation that would reverse President Donald Trump’s executive order renaming Lake Ontario as Lake America. Dingell stated on social media Thursday that the Great Lakes represent shared natural resources that Americans and Canadians have jointly preserved for generations and should maintain their original name.
Trump’s executive order directed the U.S. Geological Survey and the Board on Geographic Names to update all federal records, maps, contracts and communications to reflect the renamed waterway. U.S. Geological Survey Director Dr. Ned Mamula confirmed Thursday that as of 4:30 p.m., the agency had officially designated the former Lake Ontario as Lake America in all electronic documents, with printed materials to follow in the coming days.
Dingell’s proposed “Hands Off Our Great Lakes Act” would nullify the August 27 executive order and declare any actions taken under it void. The Michigan representative indicated she planned to introduce the measure on Monday in response to what she characterized as an ill-considered presidential action.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney rejected the renaming on Thursday, noting that the name Lake Ontario derives from the Wendat language and has been in use for more than 400 years, predating both Canadian Confederation and American independence. Carney emphasized that the historic designation remains appropriate regardless of shifting American policies and priorities.
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