Blue Rodeo’s iconic song “Hasn’t Hit Me Yet” sparked a powerful moment at RBC Amphitheatre in Toronto, as thousands of fans joined in singing along with full force in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s attempt to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America.” The crowd’s rendition of the line “Out in the middle of Lake Ontario” resonated with fervor, igniting a wave of applause that echoed for minutes.
Frontman Jim Cuddy described the experience as “glorious,” emphasizing the significance of the moment amidst the heightened focus on Lake Ontario following Trump’s executive order to rename it in the midst of trade disputes with Canada.
As tensions simmered, Blue Rodeo’s Cuddy emphasized the need for Canadians to find an outlet for their frustrations, highlighting the band’s role in providing a voice through their music. Refusing any notion of performing in the U.S., Cuddy stressed the importance of solidarity and standing by one’s own team during challenging times.
In response to Google Maps displaying “Lake America” instead of Lake Ontario in the U.S., both Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford have adamantly opposed the name change, reaffirming the lake’s historical significance and its enduring identity as Lake Ontario. Ford even unveiled a new sign in Hamilton proclaiming “Lake Ontario Now and Always,” asserting that despite Trump’s decree, the world will continue to recognize it as Lake Ontario.