A new initiative is leveraging Prime Minister Mark Carney’s mention of the term “hydronym” to raise awareness and support for Lake Ontario’s environmental conservation. Branded By Collins, an apparel company based in London, Ontario, has launched a line of T-shirts featuring the slogan, “My hydronyms are Lake & Ontario,” with a portion of sales benefiting Swim Drink Fish Canada. This national charity, headquartered in Toronto, aims to foster a connection between individuals and the lake while working to preserve its cleanliness and safety.
The concept for the T-shirts emerged following U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America amid trade disputes between the two nations. In response, Carney emphasized the historical significance of the name “Lake Ontario” in a social media post, asserting its longevity and relevance predating the establishment of both Canada and the United States.
The term “hydronym,” denoting a body of water, gained widespread attention following Carney’s use of it, prompting curiosity and exploration among the public. Gregary Ford, the vice-president and waterkeeper of Swim Drink Fish Canada, acknowledged looking up the term himself despite his professional involvement with water-related matters, highlighting its captivating nature in sparking interest in the significance of names and their representations.
Lake Ontario, one of the Great Lakes situated between Ontario and New York, derives its name from the Huron-Wendat term “oniatarÃ:io,” meaning “lake of shining waters.” The province of Ontario, established in 1867, draws its name from this majestic body of water.
Various political figures in Canada and the U.S. have criticized Trump’s executive order to rename Lake Ontario, with Ontario Premier Doug Ford unveiling a sign in Winona affirming the lake’s enduring identity. Branded By Collins, prompted by the public relations firm Curious Public, introduced the T-shirt campaign to support the preservation of Lake Ontario and promote Canadian pride among consumers.
The apparel company’s initiative, originally featuring hats and now expanded to include T-shirts, sweaters, and hoodies in black, red, and white, allocates ten dollars from each sale to Swim Drink Fish Canada. The nonprofit organization focuses on disseminating real-time water quality data and advocating for the protection of the lake, collaborating with U.S. environmental agencies despite the renaming controversy.
Amidst the trade tensions and geopolitical discourse, Ford emphasized that the campaign has rekindled Canadian pride and stimulated a growing interest in exploring the lake’s Indigenous heritage, ecological interconnections with other Great Lakes, and strategies for enhancing Lake Ontario’s sustainability. With the lake facing challenges from climate change, invasive species, and pollution, the campaign aims to inspire collective action to safeguard this vital natural resource.