Ottawa City Council has unanimously taken the first step toward renaming Trump Avenue, a residential street in the Canadian capital that has carried U.S. President Donald Trump’s name for roughly 25 years.
The move comes amid rapidly deteriorating relations between Canada and the United States, with the two countries locked in a bitter trade dispute and exchanging sharp political criticism. Among the proposed replacement names are “Taco Avenue,” “Obama Avenue,” “Ontario Avenue,” “Canada Avenue” and “Rosie O’Donnell Avenue.”
“TACO AVENUE” BECOMES THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL OPTION
One of the most eye-catching suggestions is Taco Avenue, which is being used as a political jab at Trump. “TACO” is a Wall Street acronym for “Trump Always Chickens Out,” a phrase used by critics to describe what they characterize as Trump’s tendency to announce aggressive trade policies before subsequently delaying or reducing them. The phrase previously drew an irritated response from Trump when a reporter raised it with him.
Other proposed names include Obama Avenue, Ontario Avenue, Canada Avenue, Beaver Avenue, Gulf of Mexico Avenue, Canada Goose Avenue, Pelosi Avenue and Rosie O’Donnell Avenue, reflecting the highly political nature of the current debate.
TRUMP AVENUE HAS CARRIED HIS NAME FOR ABOUT 25 YEARS
Trump Avenue is located in Ottawa’s Central Park neighbourhood and forms part of a group of streets with New York-themed names, including Staten Way, Madison Park and Gotham Private. The street was named around the year 2000, and the current effort is not Ottawa’s first attempt to change it. A consultation held in 2021 produced an almost perfectly divided result among the 62 households: 21 supported changing the name, 21 opposed it and 20 did not vote.
The latest process therefore does not mean that the street will immediately become Taco Avenue or any other proposed name.
RESIDENTS WILL HAVE THE FINAL SAY
Ottawa officials have indicated that more than half of the residents living on Trump Avenue would need to support the change before the proposal can proceed. A subsequent public-engagement process would also be required. The issue is not expected to move substantially forward until after Ottawa’s municipal elections, scheduled for October. Councillor Tim Tierney and other officials have emphasized that the residents of the street must be involved in determining its future name.
Councillor Riley Brockington has been particularly outspoken, describing the continued presence of Trump’s name on a street in Canada’s capital as an embarrassment given the current state of Canada-U.S. relations.
LAKE ONTARIO RENAMING ADDS FUEL TO THE FIRE
The street-name controversy has intensified following Trump’s recent executive order directing the U.S. government to refer to Lake Ontario as “Lake America.” The move, which applies to U.S. federal usage and does not compel Canada to adopt the new name, has triggered criticism from Canadian officials and others who argue that the historic name predates both modern nations. Approximately 52% of Lake Ontario’s surface lies in Canada.
The timing has therefore turned the Ottawa street debate into another symbolic battleground in the broader Canada-U.S. dispute. While Trump Avenue may eventually disappear from Ottawa’s street map, the decision is far from final. Residents must support the change, and the city must complete the required public and administrative processes before a new name can officially be adopted.
For now, “Taco Avenue” has emerged as the most provocative contender, transforming what might ordinarily be a routine municipal naming issue into another highly visible chapter in the increasingly heated relationship between Ottawa and Washington. OGM News will continue to monitor any development on this news.
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