Following U.S. President Donald Trump's late August attempt to rename Lake Ontario as "Lake America," Canadian entrepreneurs have seen a massive spike in sales for regional merchandise. From specialty chocolates to leather goods, local brands are using the controversy to showcase national identity.
The 92-gram chocolate bar fueling Canadian defiance
Peace by Chocolate, a company founded by Syrian refugee Tareq Hadhad, has seen a massive spike in sales for its "Lake Ontario bar" following political tensions with the United States.. The product was created as a direct response to U.S.. President Donald Trump's attempt to rename the Great Lake .
The 92-gram milk chocolate and maple cream bar features a Canadian flag wrapper and highlights the Indigenous origins of the waterbody,according to the report. This specific treat has quickly ascended to become one of the five best-selling products for the Antigonish, N.S.-based company.
From Ontario leather purses to Indspire-supported sweatshirts
Leather goods manufacturer Hides in Hand, owned by Teresa Paul in Rockwood,Ontario, is also experiencing a surge in demand for Lake Ontario-themed merchandise. The Lake Ontario coin purses produced by Hides in Hand feature red or blue leather with embroidered outlines of the lake and are sold at craft fairs and local stores in Erin, Ontario.
The clothing brand Province of Canada has also entered the fray by releasing grey fleece sweatshirts emblazoned with "Lake Ontario" in navy lettering. Province of Canada is donating 15 percent of the proceeds from each sweatshirt purchase to Indspire, a charity dedicated to Indigenous education.
How U.S. tariffs are stalling Peace by Chocolate's American sales
While domestic interest in Lake Ontario products is high, Peace by Chocolate has been forced to pause its sales to the United States due to existing export tariffs. This creates a complex situation where the company's surge in popularity is largely confined to the Canadian market.
The wave of patriotic consumerism follows Donald Trump's late August decision to refer to Lake Ontario as "Lake America." As reported by the source, this name change attempt has served as a catalyst for various Canadian businesses to lean into regional branding.
Will the "Lake America" controversy outlast the holiday shopping season?
It remains unclear if the current demand for Lake Ontario merchandise will sustain itself through the December holiday season or if the trend is limited to an immediate political reaction. while Province of Canada is preparing a fourth batch of sweatshirts to reach buyers before Christmas, the long-term consumer interest is unverified.
Additionally, the source does not indicate whether other Canadian companies are planning to launch similar product lines in response to the name change. For now, the movement remains driven by a handful of specific brands like Peace by Chocolate and Hides in Hand.
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