At a Blue Rodeo concert in downtown Toronto, fans passionately sang along to the lyrics of “Hasn’t Hit Me Yet,” turning it into a message of unity after U.S. President Donald Trump proposed changing Lake Ontario’s name to “Lake America.” The crowd erupted in applause when the line “Out in the middle of Lake Ontario” was sung during the 1993 classic. Frontman Jim Cuddy described the moment as “glorious” during an interview on CBC Radio’s Metro Morning.

The attention on Lake Ontario escalated following Trump’s executive order to rename it due to trade disagreements with Canada. Cuddy, a vocal advocate for Canadian solidarity, urged the audience to embrace the song with pride as a symbol of ownership and defiance against the proposed name change.

In response to the ongoing tensions between Canada and the U.S., Cuddy acknowledged the frustration felt by many Canadians and emphasized the importance of providing an outlet for expression. He expressed the band’s commitment to standing with their Canadian roots and supporting their community during challenging times.

Google announced adjustments to Google Maps for U.S. users, featuring the new name “Lake America” instead of Lake Ontario. Trump’s directive also extended to tech giant Apple, requesting a similar change on their mapping services. Despite these actions, Canadian officials, including Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford, rejected the renaming of Lake Ontario. Carney highlighted the lake’s historical significance and its enduring name rooted in indigenous culture, emphasizing that it has been and will always be known as Lake Ontario. Ford reinforced this sentiment by unveiling a new sign in Hamilton affirming the lake’s traditional name, stating that despite Trump’s decree, it will forever be recognized as Lake Ontario across the globe.