Canadians have taken to social media wondering why Google Maps is referring to some provincial parks as “state” parks, an incorrect designation that’s ruffling feathers at a time of heightened tension between Canada and the United States.
Social-media users are sharing screenshots showing provincial parks in British Columbia and elsewhere described by the search engine as “state” parks, with some expressing confusion and anger and referencing U.S. President Donald Trump.
Trump has repeatedly asserted in recent months that Canada should become the 51st state.
But Google says it hasn’t made any recent changes to the way it labels parks in Canada, and it is “actively working” to update the labels to “avoid confusion.”
The company says it has many labels for parks, and because state and provincial parks are similar, the terms are sometimes used interchangeably in its backend systems.
B.C. Environment Minister Tamara Davidson says she understands the concerns raised by the incorrect designations in the context of the current tensions.
She says the B.C. government has reached out to Google Canada requesting that “provincial park” be added as an option.
“It is our understanding that the ‘state park’ label has always been the default setting of Google,” Davidson says.
“And let’s be clear, we will never be the 51st state,” she adds.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 24, 2025.
Brenna Owen, The Canadian Press
