Ford defends $25,000 Lake Ontario sign as worthwhile
Lake Ontario sign cost justified by Ford as it sparked wide attention See why the province calls it free advertising amid trade tensions
Ontario Premier Doug Ford defended the cost of a Lake Ontario sign, saying the public money was justified by the attention it received.
Ford unveiled the large bilingual sign in Winona, Ontario, last week after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an order renaming the body of water “Lake America” during the trade dispute with Canada. The premier’s office said the sign cost about $25,000 to produce.
Speaking at a closed event on Thursday, Ford said the sign drew widespread reaction and international coverage, turning it into what he described as valuable free advertising. Critics, including interim Liberal Leader John Fraser, argued the province should focus more on a clear plan for protecting Ontarians during the trade conflict.