Quebec Community Debates Renaming of Alma’s Pointe‑des‑Américains Park

When former U.S. President Donald Trump whimsically rebranded Lake Ontario as “Lake of the Great American Eagle,” the move sparked a wave of online jokes and, surprisingly, a few earnest conversations north of the border.

In the small town of Alma, nestled on the south shore of Lac Saint‑Jean, the chatter has taken a concrete form: an online petition asking the municipal council to rename Pointe‑des‑Américains Park. The green space, once a favourite fishing spot for American tourists in the 1970s, was later turned into a public park and kept its cross‑border nickname.

“It’s a lovely place for families, but the name feels like a relic of a very specific era,” says Marie‑Claude Bouchard, a lifelong Alma resident who helped launch the petition. “We love our neighbours to the south, but we also want a name that celebrates our own history and the indigenous roots of this land.”

The petition, which has gathered a few hundred signatures in just a week, proposes alternatives such as “Parc du Lac des Étoiles” or “Parc Anishinaabe.” It also includes a brief survey asking locals which themes they feel most connected to – nature, local industry, or First Nations heritage.

Mayor Luc Tremblay acknowledges the community’s enthusiasm, noting that “a name is more than a label; it’s a story we tell about ourselves.” He says the council will hold a public hearing next month, giving residents a chance to voice support or opposition before any formal motion is tabled.

Some critics argue the push is over‑reacting to a distant political stunt, pointing out that the park’s name has been part of Alma’s identity for decades. “It’s a funny coincidence, but I don’t think it warrants a costly rebrand,” comments Jacques Pelletier, owner of a nearby bait shop.

Regardless of where the debate lands, the episode illustrates how a far‑flung political gesture can ripple into the everyday lives of Canadians, prompting them to reflect on place‑names, memory, and community pride.