I normally avoid discussing politics in this blog. Today, I’m waiving that restriction as the topic is relevant to sailing.
In his latest temper tantrum, the so-called US president ordered Lake Ontario to be renamed Lake America. While the federal government can adopt geographical names for its own use, it has no legal authority to rename international bodies of water. To those of us Americans who love Canada and its people, who recognize Canada’s many sacrifices, standing by us for two centuries, and who sail the shared waters of the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean, Lake Ontario will always be Lake Ontario.
Dear Canadians, know that millions of Americans are fighting hard to end this reign of corruption, terror, and disregard for the rule of law, and to restore democracy, alliances, and the shared values that traditionally characterized our two countries. This is a steep hill to climb because, in our limited two-party system, with neither party focusing on what’s right for Americans and its (once) allies, there’s no easy solution. With our cowardly Congress, our politicized judicial system, and our obsolete electoral system, vulnerable to manipulation and fake news, who knows if the vox populi will even count?
Just know that your millions of friends south of the border are dismayed, embarrassed and angry at all the nonsense that’s been introduced between our two countries since January 2025, and we will continue to fight for our two countries.
You are fortunate to have a prime minister and provincial premiers who, in these matters, know right from wrong.
We’ve often written about our experiences in Canada and with Canadians. Total strangers offering the keys to their car when they saw us walking to the grocery store for provisions. Fishing ports rearranging trawlers to allow us to dock. The mayor of Summerside, PEI, also the local bakery owner, leaving a tray of pastries in our cockpit.
To close, a few images to honor Canada and our many friends there…
