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Google Maps was the first to jump headfirst into Lake America.
After some prodding from U.S. President Donald Trump, Apple Maps also dove in, updating its labelling for users in the U.S. to comply with his executive order to rename Lake Ontario.
Fortunately for Canadians and common sense, MapQuest is defying Trump’s order and steadfastly ensuring its users can enjoy what has always been Lake Ontario.
A search for “Lake Ontario” on Google Maps shows up as “Lake America,” on a device in Bellemont, Ariz., on Sunday. (Felicia Fonseca / The Associated Press files)
Despite this name shame, there remains a longstanding bi-national body of co-operation overseeing that body of water that’s beyond the reach of not only Google and Apple, but even Trump.
Since 1909, the International Joint Commission has served to help manage the lakes and waterways along the border of Canada and the United States. It has done so, as its name suggests, jointly, by “building on the long-standing friendship between the U.S. and Canada” in order to promote “co-operation between governments for the common good of our shared waters.”
And as for those waters, the IJC is still defining the Great Lakes as the waters of Superior, Huron, Michigan, Erie — and Ontario.
While tech giants have no problem bowing to pressure from the president whose inauguration they witnessed from the front row, the IJC might be a different story; it is designed to operate both independently and impartially.
“The Commissioners are appointed by the highest level of government in each country — the Cabinet in Canada and the U.S. President once confirmed by the Senate,” is how the IJC introduces itself online. “Commissioners do not take direction from their governments, but traditionally work by consensus to find solutions that are in the best interest of both countries.”
A person takes a picture of a newly unveiled sign for Lake Ontario at Fifty Point Conservation Area in Grimsby, Ont., on Saturday. (Keito Newman / The Canadian Press files)
In the age of Trump, consensus and co-operation have long since sunk to the bottom of what he now refers to as Lake America.
But maybe, just maybe, the IJC can help navigate a way through Trump’s turbulence in the Great Lakes.
Or at least ensure Lake Ontario remains afloat on its website on both sides of the border.
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