British News Agency

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the name Lake Ontario has a history of more than 400 years.

Carney said the name Lake Ontario comes from the Wendat word “Ontari’io,” stating, “The name Lake Ontario comes from the Wendat word Ontari’io. Fittingly, it means ‘the lake is beautiful, the lake is great.’”

Emphasizing that the name predates both Canadian Confederation and the US Declaration of Independence, Carney said, “This name is more than 400 years old; it predates both Canadian Confederation and the United States Declaration of Independence.”

Noting that changes are taking place in various areas in the US, Carney said, “We know America is changing. Its trade relationships, foreign policies, national monuments and geographic names are changing.”

Carney said Canada would continue to use the name Lake Ontario, adding, “Canadians also know that naming reality means saying Lake Ontario; yesterday, today and always.”