Shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order to rename Lake Ontario to “Lake America,” a Canadian company swiftly introduced baseball caps featuring the original name of the Great Lake.
Ottawa-based Jackpine put up the hats for sale online right after Trump’s order was signed to change the body of water that separates Canada and New York.
Liam Mooney, the founder of Jackpine, revealed that the concept for the design was conceived the night before the launch.
“It was evident that this change was imminent, so we took immediate action,” Mooney informed guest host Paul Hunter on As It Happens. “The timing worked in our favor.”
Mooney, who co-owns Jackpine with his wife Emma Cochrane, is also behind the “Canada Is Not For Sale” hats, which gained popularity last year after Ontario Premier Doug Ford sported one at public events.
Expressing his dedication to promoting Canada, Mooney stated, “I feel a sense of responsibility, like I’m a chief advocate for Canada.”
“I’m doing my part to utilize our domestic supply chains, potentially onshoring manufacturing if there’s demand, and leveraging this project to stimulate our country’s industrial base,” he added.
Trump’s executive order, altering the name of the Great Lake on U.S. maps, follows failed trade talks between Canada and the U.S. over the weekend.
The Trump administration imposed 50% tariffs on various Canadian goods, prompting Canada to retaliate.
Canadians have strongly opposed the executive order, with Kingston Mayor criticizing the renaming as absurd.
Prime Minister Mark Carney highlighted on social media that the name “Ontario” originated from the Wendat term Ontari’io, meaning “‘the lake is beautiful, the lake is big,” predating both the establishment of Canada and the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
Wendat Nation Grand Chief Pierre Picard condemned Trump’s attempt to “erase” their history in a statement.
