Ontario premier unveils Lake Ontario sign in response to renaming controversy

WINONA, ONTARIO, Canada (NBC, KYMA) - There's a big new sign on the shores of the Great Lake at the center of a renaming controversy.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford unveiling a giant Lake Ontario sign Saturday morning at a lakefront park in Winona following President Trump's executive order changing its name to "Lake America."

Premier Ford telling reporters the lake's name, which is more than 400 years old, will remain unchanged.

One of the five Great Lakes of North America, Lake Ontario borders both the Canadian province of Ontario and the state of New York.

On Thursday, President Trump signed an executive order renaming the body of water "Lake America," which comes amid escalating tensions with Canada over tariffs.

Ford echoed the wording on the sign, saying it will be, Lake Ontario now and always.

The executive order applies to U.S. Federal usage about the lake, and does not govern what Canada, international bodies or other organizations call the lake.