New Merchandise to Counter Trump’s Lake Ontario Rename

After U. S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to rename Lake Ontario, the Ontario-based company that created the popular “Canada is not for sale” hat is encouraging Canadians to take a stand.

Liam Mooney, founder and president of Jackpine Dynamic Branding and co-founder of Canada is Not For Sale, has introduced a new line of merchandise themed around Lake Ontario as a response to what he sees as imperialistic actions from the U. S. president.

In an interview with Metroland, Mooney described Trump’s decision to rename the lake as “the rhetoric of annexation made real.”

Trump signs executive order to rename Lake Ontario as ‘Lake America’

Following Trump’s suggestion on social media that he might rename Lake Ontario to “Lake America” on Tuesday, Mooney quickly moved to produce the new merchandise related to Lake Ontario.

By the time Trump signed his executive order on Thursday instructing the U. S. government to change the name “effective immediately,” Mooney had already put the Lake Ontario merchandise up for sale on his website at strongandfree. ca.

Some people thought Trump was joking when he said his administration was “considering” renaming Lake Ontario on Tuesday, but Mooney felt compelled to react.

“The antagonistic, belligerent, bellicose betrayal from our American counterparts – it’s basically made me realize that more was coming,” Mooney stated.

Mooney runs Jackpine Dynamic Branding with his business partner, Emma Cochrane. He mentioned that just like the “Canada is not for sale” items released in January 2025, all Lake Ontario products are made in Canada, with production taking place in Montreal, Sherbrooke and Ottawa.

The matching T-shirts for Lake Ontario are produced in Toronto.

As of Friday, Mooney shared that they have sold hundreds of hats featuring Lake Ontario and part of his Ottawa home has become a makeshift warehouse filled with ready-to-ship products stacked up in hallways and staircases.

Lake Ontario hats go global

Mooney noted that Jackpine has shipped orders throughout Canada and even internationally.

The hats are available in blue and green and feature the phrase “Canada is not for sale” on the back.

The prices are set at $51 for hats and $45 for T-shirts.

The company also plans to introduce more products such as stickers soon.

A portion of sales will support Swim Drink Fish – previously known as the Lake Ontario Waterkeepers – which works towards ensuring swimmable, drinkable and fishable water.

Mooney added that these hats are crafted from biodegradable materials that help reduce plastic waste.

Ontario Premier Doug appeared before reporters wearing a “Canada is not for sale” hat in January 2025 shortly after President Donald Trump announced his intention to make Canada the 51st state.

Kate Mc Kenna X photo

How Canada can respond to Trump’s lake renaming

While Trump’s push to rename Lake Ontario occurs amid ongoing trade tensions between Canada and the U. S., Mooney believes Canadians should concentrate their efforts on strengthening their own nation.

“We need to respond by doing exactly what we have. Coming together, sticking together, loving our country, investing in our country making it in our country and believing in our country,” he said.

P<Mooney's "Canada is not for sale" hat gained attention when Premier Doug Ford wore it at a news conference back in January 2025. At that time, Trump expressed intentions of using economic pressure aimed at turning Canada into America’s 51st state.

Mooey mentioned that over 50 thousand of those hats have been sold through Jackpine so far.

What can we expect after Trump’s executive order?

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The changes resulting from Trump’s move may affect maps used by various U. S. agencies; however Canadian political leaders have pointed out that he does not possess any authority over changing its name within Canada or elsewhere globally.

The name Lake Ontario originates from a Wendat word Ontari’io which fittingly means “the lake is beautiful; it’s big”.

This name has existed for over four hundred years predating both Canada’s Confederation and America’s Declaration of Independence…– Mark Carney (@Mark JCarney) August 27 , 2026

Prime Minister Mark Carney reacted Thursday afternoon via X by highlighting how Ontari’io derives from Wendat meaning “the lake is beautiful; it’s big.”

“This name holds significance being more than four centuries old surpassing both Canada’s Confederation & America’s Declaration,” Carney commented further emphasizing trade conflicts highlighted through new tariffs imposed by US onto Canadian products & subsequent counter-tariffs planned effective Sept.8.

“We know change exists within America-from their trading relationships down through foreign policies national monuments hydronyms , Canadians also understand true naming means calling this ‘Lake Ontari o’-then now & always.”

To us Canadians worldwide this remains ‘Lake Ontari o.’ Now forevermore!– Doug Ford (@fordnation) August 27 , 2026

Doug Ford responds regarding renaming title:

Premier Doug Ford added commentary via X declaring: “For us Canadians globally-it will always be ‘Lake Ontari o!’ Now forevermore.”

What led us here?

On Tuesday , Trump posted across Truth Social claiming potential consideration towards altering names since anticipated business relations expected less cooperation moving forward with Ontari o.

Later during Tuesday , another post showed an edited map showcasing crossed-out label replaced instead by ‘lake america’.

Taking things further yet again later ; Trumps release video through truth social declared : ”So here lies lake ontario found within canada yet resides alongside united states too-but let’s make adjustments! Henceforth shall we call it something different than just plain old lake ontario? Let us dub It henceforward simply ‘LAKE AMERICA’. All that’s required involves good penmanship coupled intelligence!”

Further along; he reminisced past attempts aiming renaming gulf mexico now termed gulf america reflected upon current versions circulated among certain maps/mobiles apps.

“Thus we’ve named one body-of-water alongside another creating synergy between respective elements.” trump enthused while sharing excitement surrounding gulf/ lakes collectively rebranded under singular unified identity.# “

<p class=How can we truly implement changes ?”# ““

/ e</ t & gt;”>U. s governing board overseeing geographic nomenclature assigns standardized terms federally.” This establishment initially came about circa eighteen ninety establishing present-day format aligning itself throughout governments usage uniformly across defined jurisdictions mandates adherence ensuring consistency applied consistently irrespective origins specifying international agreements encompassing two-nations share bodies/water. “/& lt;”& gt; “P"” Also noteworthy mention concerns regulations implemented overseen Geographical Names Board collaborating provincial territories determining place names recognized formally accepted globally recognized under dual-language framework “.<“> A ruling presented during UN conference held year nineteen seventy-two stated discrepancies arise whereby nations failing agree upon common terminology must defer ultimately relying respective language preferences thus enabling accurate representation maintaining respect accompanying diverse communities involved multiple languages respectively included contexts concerning cultural heritage beyond mere politics ramifications stemming economic disputes thereof.” Through these points acknowledged limitations exist such as unilateral maneuvers determined solely propelled financial motivations rather encompassing broader considerations leading discussions much earlier relative mutual interests fostering cooperation returning strength obtained relationships must stay resilient honorably reflecting cherished traditions defining surroundings uniquely fundamental connected humanity overall.

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