When Blue Rodeo performed their song “Hasn’t Hit Me Yet” at the RBC Amphitheatre in Toronto on Saturday, the lyrics resonated deeply with the crowd in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order to rename Lake Ontario to “Lake America.” Thousands of fans sang along passionately, particularly during the line referencing Lake Ontario, which resulted in prolonged applause. Frontman Jim Cuddy described the moment as “glorious” and emphasized the need for Canadians to express their frustrations amid ongoing trade tensions with the U.S. Cuddy noted that the band is currently uninterested in performing in the U.S., feeling it is important to “stick with your team.” Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford have both publicly rejected Trump’s proposed name change, with Ford unveiling a new sign in Hamilton to affirm the lake’s original name.
Why It Matters
This situation highlights the growing tensions between Canada and the United States, particularly regarding trade relations. Trump’s executive order to rename a significant landmark like Lake Ontario underscores the impact of political decisions on cultural and geographical identity. The lake’s name has historical significance, derived from the Wendat word “Ontari’io,” meaning “the lake is beautiful, the lake is big.” The backlash against the name change reflects broader sentiments among Canadians regarding national pride and solidarity in the face of external pressures.
