Amidst the backdrop of Lake Ontario, Blue Rodeo’s performance of “Hasn’t Hit Me Yet” at the RBC Amphitheatre in downtown Toronto turned into a symbol of unity for Canadians in response to President Donald Trump’s decision to rename the lake “Lake America.”
During the concert, the crowd passionately sang along to the iconic 1993 song, with a particularly resonant moment occurring when the lyrics mentioned Lake Ontario. The enthusiastic response, captured in widely shared videos, was described as a “glorious” moment by lead singer Jim Cuddy in an interview with CBC Radio’s Metro Morning.
The recent attention on Lake Ontario stemmed from President Trump’s executive order to rename it “Lake America” following trade disputes with Canada. Jim Cuddy, a vocal advocate for Canadian solidarity, urged fans to embrace their national identity during the performance.
As the band reached the pivotal lyric in the song, Greg Keelor encouraged the audience of approximately 16,000 individuals to assert their connection to “Lake Ontario” with pride, emphasizing the lake’s significance against the venue’s backdrop.
Cuddy highlighted the importance of providing an outlet for Canadians amidst the strained relations between the two countries, emphasizing the role of music in giving voice to shared frustrations. He expressed the band’s firm stance on supporting Canada during these challenging times, emphasizing the significance of unity.
In response to Google’s decision to display “Lake America” on its Maps platform, both Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated their rejection of the name change. Carney emphasized the historical and cultural significance of the name “Lake Ontario,” while Ford unveiled a new sign reaffirming the lake’s enduring identity as “Lake Ontario Now and Always.”
Despite external pressures to alter the lake’s name, Canadian officials and artists like Blue Rodeo remain steadfast in their commitment to preserving the heritage and identity of Lake Ontario.