Historic Saskatchewan town of Duck Lake sees pushback over corporate renaming plan

DUCK LAKE – The Saskatchewan town of Duck Lake is older than the province and situated near a historic battle site. It got its name from the birds that migrate through the area. 

But now, the town’s mayor says its name could be up for grabs to the highest bidder – to the tune of at least $10 million.

Jason Anderson said he’s received an earful from residents angry about the plan that would see Duck Lake named after a company.

“Pretty much the entire town’s ready to lynch me right now,” he said in an interview. 

“I can’t say most people are for this, but most people aren’t thinking about what this could actually mean for us.”

The town northwest of Saskatoon was settled by French-speaking Métis people in the 1860s and 1870s, before Saskatchewan became a province in 1905.

In 1885, the area was the site of the first battle of the Northwest Rebellion, an uprising led by Louis Riel over land rights.

The town’s website says First Nations people called the small body of water near the community “See Seep SaKayegan,” named after the many migratory ducks that use the lake. 

Last week, town council approved selling the naming rights in a narrow 3-2 vote.

Anderson said he got the idea after reading an article about the naming rights of stadiums being sold to companies for tens of millions of dollars. 

The town of about 580 people could use a cash injection like that, he said. It’s in need of major funding for new infrastructure, housing, economic development and cultural programs, he said. 

“I thought, why not let’s just give this a try?” Anderson said. 

The plan was met with immediate blowback. At last week’s council meeting, some residents reportedly walked out.

“People are up in arms right now. There was no consultation,” Denis Poirier, Duck Lake’s former mayor, said in an interview. 

“Duck Lake is a historical town. The first shot of the uprising was just outside the town. We’re in the history books.”

Poirier said he’s also concerned changing the name could be costly for the town, as residents would be required to update their addresses. 

“What’s the long-range plan?” he asked. 

“(The mayor) says he wants at least $10 million. It won’t go that far. What do you do after that? This is just a whim.” 

Anderson said if a company comes forward with a name, residents would have the final say in a plebiscite. 

There would also be another meeting in April to discuss any bids that come forward, he added.

“All this is, it’s just a conversation,” Anderson said. “If nothing ever comes about it, oh well.” 

The mayor said he still stands behind the renaming plan and that any future names could still contain Duck Lake.

“It’s not for me to decide. This is for the entire town to decide,” he said.

Poirier said the idea should be scrapped. There’s also an online petition with more than 470 signatures calling on the town to reconsider. 

“I haven’t encountered one Duck Lake member, especially if their roots are here, that has actually been in favour,” he said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 27, 2025.

— By Jeremy Simes in Regina