Canadians have recently expressed outrage over Google Maps mislabeling several provincial parks across the country as "state parks". This labeling issue emerged prominently over the weekend when social media users shared screenshots illustrating the misclassification of parks, which has ignited discussions about national identity amid worsening U.S.-Canadian relations.
Prominent among the misidentified parks are Cypress Provincial Park and Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, both located in British Columbia. Users scanning Google Maps for these destinations were greeted with the label "state park," drawing ire from Canadians who see it as an inaccurate representation of their national identity. Alberta and Quebec parks were also included among the misidentified locations, highlighting the issue's broader reach.
Concerns heightened following controversial statements from U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested Canada should become the 51st state. The fear of mislabeling only intensifies under the backdrop of such rhetoric, and many Canadians took to platforms like Facebook and Reddit to voice their worries. One commenter on Reddit expressed disbelief, stating, "Our parks are Provincial Parks, NOT 'state parks'—Canada is not the U.S. and never will be!"
The situation prompted B.C. Environment and Parks Minister Tamara Davidson to address the issue directly. She confirmed to Daily Hive on February 24, 2025, acknowledging the backlash: "Some users have reported ‘provincial park’ is no longer an option and has been removed. We cannot validate this, but we are contacting Google to request the reinstatement of ‘provincial park’ as the unique label for our parks."
Responding to the outcry, Google clarified through its spokespersons their position on the matter, stating, "We have not made any recent changes to the way we label parks in Canada—the vast majority of these parks have had their existing labels for several years." They also reassured worried Canadians by emphasizing they were "actively working to update labels for parks in Canada to avoid confusion.”
This problem is not entirely new, having persisted for years without substantial public awareness. A report from Google Developers indicated the designation of "state park" has been categorized as such since at least late last year, implying the tech giant had historically used this designation interchangeably due to similarities between state and provincial parks.
While some Canadians expressed intense frustration and concern over the mislabeling, others pointed to the possibility of simple technical oversights rather than deliberate intentions. Reuben Rose-Redwood, a geography professor at the University of Victoria, suggested it could be intercategorical confusion rather than overt bias, stressing, "Google is using the term 'state park' as a catch-all category...this may indicate a form of cartographic bias toward U.S. terminology on their part."
Despite the attempt to alleviate concerns with technical explanations, many Canadians remain unconvinced. Some view the term "state park" as emblematic of American encroachment on sovereignty, especially against the backdrop of Trump’s controversial policies and remarks. Rachel Deren, another Google Maps user, commented, "I would like to draw attention to this disgusting display of American oppression of Canadian culture and autonomy."
The mislabeling issue was part of a broader dissatisfaction with American influence, particularly as Canadians have increasingly felt the effects of Trump's tariffs and stances toward Canada. Following the label change to “Gulf of America” versus its traditional name, “Gulf of Mexico,” many see the park mislabeling as another example of this perceived erosion of Canadian identity.
Google’s commitment to reviewing these labels is being watched closely by Canadians, as many await a swift resolution. Until changes are made, screenshots of misclassified parks continue to circulate, fueling the narrative of national pride versus perceived Americanization. The B.C. ministry's request to Google for more accurate labels has put pressure on the tech giant to respond swiftly to user concerns. Davidson concluded emphatically, "Let's be clear, we will never be the 51st state."
With this pronounced commitment from government officials and growing public outcry, the mislabeling of Canadian provincial parks has transformed from mere technical error to complex discussions about national identity, sovereignty, and the intricacies of international relations.