During a performance by Blue Rodeo at RBC Amphitheatre in downtown Toronto, the lyrics of their song “Hasn’t Hit Me Yet” resonated with the audience as a symbol of unity in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s attempt to rename Lake Ontario to “Lake America.”
The crowd enthusiastically sang along to the 1993 hit, particularly emphasizing the line “Out in the middle of Lake Ontario,” a moment that was captured in widely shared online videos and met with thunderous applause lasting minutes.
Describing the experience as “glorious,” lead singer Jim Cuddy reflected on the significance of the event during an interview on CBC Radio’s Metro Morning.
The spotlight on Lake Ontario was sparked by President Trump’s recent executive order seeking to change its name to “Lake America” following trade disagreements with Canada.
Jim Cuddy, the frontman of Blue Rodeo, has been vocal about fostering Canadian solidarity amidst the ongoing trade tensions with the U.S. Notably, he previously participated in the “Elbows Up, Canada!” event in Toronto in 2025.
When the band reached the part of the song referencing Lake Ontario, singer Greg Keelor urged the massive audience to sing the name with a sense of ownership, with the actual lake visible in the background.
The crowd passionately joined in, leading to an emotional moment as described by Cuddy.
Cuddy Highlights the Importance of Providing an Outlet for Canadians
Cuddy expressed bewilderment at the debate surrounding the lake’s name change, noting the rising frustrations among Canadians amid the trade disputes with the U.S.
He emphasized the need for people to have a platform to express their feelings, stating, “We were happy to be able to lend our song to give people a voice.”
Regarding the potential of performing in the U.S., Cuddy indicated that Blue Rodeo is currently uninterested, emphasizing the importance of solidarity during such times.
He stressed the significance of artists reflecting their true sentiments rather than solely waving flags, stating, “I just think they have to reflect how they feel and this is how we feel.”
In response to Trump’s directive, Google has updated its maps to show “Lake America” instead of Lake Ontario for users in the U.S. Additionally, Trump has urged Apple to make the same alteration on its maps.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford have both denounced the proposed name change, affirming the historical significance of the name “Lake Ontario.”
In a social media statement, Carney highlighted the lake’s centuries-old legacy and its origin from the Wendat word “Ontari’io,” meaning “the lake is beautiful, the lake is big,” asserting that it will remain Lake Ontario “then, now, and always.”
Ford unveiled a new sign for Lake Ontario in Hamilton, bearing the inscription “Lake Ontario Now and Always,” reinforcing the enduring identity of the lake.
Dismissing Trump’s renaming efforts, Ford stated, “President Trump can call it whatever he wants, but I can tell you that the rest of the world will always call it Lake Ontario.”
