Current surveys

Map of Ontario with locations of name proposals highlighted.

 

The Ontario Geographic Names Board has received 5 name proposals and wants to hear from residents who know any local name(s) for the features highlighted on the map.

Based on your feedback, the Board may make a recommendation to the Ministry of Natural Resources to officially adopt the proposed name.

Official names appear on government maps and publications.

If you are familiar with these features and would like to comment, please complete a short survey by October 14, 2024.

Current open surveys

Cordukes Bay

Bay on the southern shores of Basswood Lake, approximately 2 kilometres east of Day Mills and 10 kilometres west of Iron Bridge in the Municipality of Huron Shores, District of Algoma and Geographic Township of Day.

Long Point Lake

Located in the Township of Muskoka Lakes, District Municipality of Muskoka and the Geographic Township of Wood.

Secret Lake

Located northwest of McFarlane Lake in the City of Greater Sudbury, District of Sudbury and the Geographic Township of Broder.

Smyk Lake

Located approximately 4 kilometres north-northwest of Ignace, in the Geographic Township of Gour, District of Kenora.

Stowe Island

Located on Lake Joseph approximately 2 kilometres northwest of the community of Glen Orchard in the Township of Muskoka Lakes within the District Municipality of Muskoka and the Geographic Township of Medora.

About geographic names

Geographic names help us describe our surroundings and identify historic, cultural and natural features on the landscape.

They are essential for:

  • mapping
  • emergency response
  • resource management
  • conservation
  • travel and tourism
  • law enforcement
  • environmental planning

How it works

In Ontario, we have the Ontario Geographic Names Board.

The Board:

  • reviews applications for new names for unincorporated places (e.g., villages, hamlets) and geographic features (e.g., lakes, rivers, hills, valleys)
  • submits recommended geographic feature names to the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry for approval in accordance with the Ontario Geographic Names Board Act

When recommending names, the Board:

  • follows the principles and procedures it has put in place
  • confirms that names are used and supported by the community

A spatial database of official geographic feature and unincorporated place names (in English, French and First Nation languages) is maintained by the ministry.

View recent naming decisions

How to request a name

Step 1: Read our naming principles.

Applicants should note:

  • requests that do not comply with the principles will not be considered
  • the Board primarily considers the local usage of a name
  • commemorative names are reserved for those who made an outstanding contribution to a local area, Ontario or Canada
  • land ownership on its own does not warrant changing a well-established name
  • the Board does not support commemorative names for living persons
  • the Board does not endorse naming contests or competitions and will not accept the results of these activities

Step 2: Send an email to geographicnames@ontario.ca to request a submission form.

Don’t forget to attach relevant documentation that will support your name request. Your submission will be reviewed by the Board for potential approval. This process can take up to 12 months.