Muhammad Aman Ullah | August 29, 2026
The True Post (Web News) — Hours after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the renaming of Lake Ontario as “Lake America,” a Canadian company quickly responded by putting baseball caps featuring the lake’s original name, “Lake Ontario,” up for sale.
Ottawa-based company Jack Pine began selling the caps online shortly after Trump signed the executive order. Company founder Liam Mooney said the design had actually been prepared the night before because the company anticipated that Trump could move ahead with the controversial name change.
Mooney said the company decided to respond immediately and turn the development into an opportunity to promote Canadian-made products and support domestic workers and supply chains.
‘I’m Doing My Part for Canada’
Mooney said he feels as though he is playing the role of a kind of “chief propagandist” for Canada by using his company to promote Canadian products and national identity.
According to Mooney, the company wants to strengthen Canadian manufacturing and supply chains while ensuring that increased demand for patriotic products benefits Canadian businesses and workers.
Jack Pine has previously produced hats carrying the slogan “Canada Is Not For Sale.” The caps gained considerable attention after Ontario Premier Doug Ford was seen wearing them at public events.
Strong Demand for Lake Ontario Hats
Mooney said orders began pouring in shortly after the new Lake Ontario caps were made available online.
He said Canadians are looking for simple ways to express their patriotic feelings amid rising tensions between Canada and the United States.
The company has reportedly received orders not only from across Canada but also from international cities including Paris, Tokyo, London and Berlin.
Mooney said the international orders demonstrate that people in different parts of the world are showing solidarity with Canada.
Trump’s Decision Sparks Backlash in Canada
Trump’s decision to change the name of Lake Ontario has faced strong opposition in Canada.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has pointed to the Indigenous origins of the name Ontario, saying it comes from the Wendat term Ontari’io, which refers to the lake’s beauty and vastness.
Carney also noted that the name predates both Canadian Confederation and the American Declaration of Independence.
Wendat Nation Grand Chief Pierre Picard also criticized Trump’s decision, arguing that changing the name risks erasing part of the Wendat people’s history and cultural heritage.
Trade War Creates a ‘Patriotic Market’
While the ongoing trade tensions between Canada and the United States have created difficulties for many Canadian businesses, they have also generated a growing market for products based on Canadian patriotism.
Last year, clothing and other merchandise carrying the slogan “Elbows Up” became increasingly popular across Canada. The phrase emerged as a symbol of Canadian resistance and unity after Trump repeatedly raised the idea of making Canada the 51st U.S. state.
The latest Lake Ontario merchandise represents another example of how political tensions and trade disputes are influencing consumer behaviour and creating demand for products that emphasize Canadian identity.
Canadian-Made Products at the Centre of the Campaign
Mooney said the purpose behind the Lake Ontario hats is not simply to generate profits but also to provide Canadians with a simple symbol through which they can express their feelings about the current situation.
He said Jack Pine has invested millions of dollars in Canada’s textile industry and domestic workers and intends to continue supporting Canadian manufacturing.
The sudden popularity of the Lake Ontario caps highlights how a controversial political decision can quickly become a cultural and commercial phenomenon. For some Canadians, keeping the name “Lake Ontario” on their hats has become a simple way of expressing national identity and opposition to the proposed name change.
