Lake Ontario merchandise turns Trump order into fundraiser to protect the lake

CANADA Lake Ontario merchandise turns Trump order into fundraiser to protect the lake By Prisha Dev & Germain Ma Global News Posted September 11, 2026 5:22 pm Updated September 11, 2026 5:23 pm 2 min read View image in full screen A Lake Ontario-inspired phrase is being turned into merchandise, with part of the proceeds going toward protecting and restoring the lake. Global News LEAVE A COMMENT SHARE THIS ITEM ON FACEBOOK SHARE THIS ITEM ON X SEND THIS PAGE TO SOMEONE VIA EMAIL SEE MORE SHARING OPTIONS DESCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE INCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE A lighthearted quip sparked by U.S. President Donald Trump’s labelling of Lake Ontario as “Lake America” has turned into a fundraiser aimed at protecting the lake itself. Lloyd Rang, who lives in the municipality of Clarington, Ont., a short walk from Lake Ontario, describes it as peaceful and an important part of his community. So when Trump first floated a new name for the lake amid trade tensions with Canada, Rang had a response. “I thought about it, ‘Aw come on, like really? This again?’” he said in an interview Global News. “Oh, my hydronyms are Lake and Ontario.” A hydronym is the proper name for any body water. Prime Minister Mark Carney brought the term into the national conversation in an Aug. 27 statement responding to Trump’s executive order seeking to rename Lake Ontario to “Lake America.” STORY CONTINUES BELOW ADVERTISEMENT Rang, a municipal councillor of Clarington who is not seeking re-election, thought the phrase could work on sweatshirts, T-shirts and hats. Get breaking Montreal news Get breaking Montreal news delivered to your inbox as it happens so you won't miss a trending story. SIGN UP FOR BREAKING MONTREAL NEWSLETTER GET STARTED BY PROVIDING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS, YOU HAVE READ AND AGREE TO GLOBAL NEWS' TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY. “I’ve only ever gotten laughs,” Rang said. However, he also saw an opportunity to turn the attention surrounding Lake Ontario into something more meaningful. “And I thought, how can I take this idea which I think might take off, and put it to some good use that might actually protect the lake?” he said. Rang reached out to Swim Drink Fish, a Canadian non-profit focused on protecting water, and put forward a plan to donate $10 from the sale of each item. The organization said the attention comes as Lake Ontario faces environmental pressures that extend far beyond the political debate surrounding its name. “Aquatic invasive…