A Saskatchewan community known as the Land of Rape and Honey is getting a new, more politically sensitive slogan.
Town councilors in Tisdale, Sask., decided last week to ditch the town’s old slogan and rebrand the community using a new, more appropriate phrase.
The Land of Rape and Honey was adopted as the town’s slogan nearly 60 years ago.
Since then, it has been displayed on signs that welcome visitors to the community, which is known for its productive farmland.
When Tisdale adopted its controversial slogan back in the late 1950s, the word “rape” referred to rapeseed, an industrial oilseed crop with bright yellow flowers that was widely grown by farmers in the area.
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Over the past few decades, rapeseed production around Tisdale has largely been replaced by canola, a closely related oilseed crop that produces high-quality cooking oil, used primarily for baking and frying.
Sean Wallace, director of economic development in Tisdale, said the old slogan, despite its initial intentions, was unpopular among some business owners and residents in the town of 3,200.
Those who opposed the slogan felt the word “rape” should not be included in a phrase intended to promote the community.
Farmers and residents who live in rural, agricultural areas understand that the word “rape” refers to an agricultural crop.
However, a significant number of Canadians equate rape with unlawful or violent sexual activity.
“A number of businesspeople and a number of residents approached town council about the slogan,” said Wallace.
“Our economic development committee recommended that we do a survey … and we found that 61 percent were in favour of updating the brand, and 39 percent were not in favour.”
Wallace said more than 300 people responded to the survey out of 2,660 eligible participants.
Signs containing the old slogan will be removed over the next few months, and a new slogan will be adopted by June.
Devan Tasa, editor of the Tisdale Recorder community newspaper, said the decision to get rid of the old slogan was a divisive issue for the community, and the vote by town councillors was not unanimous.
Tasa said some community members openly voiced their displeasure with council’s decision, while others supported it.
“I don’t think it’s so much negative connotation as it is confusion,” he said.
“The further you get outside of Tisdale … the more confused people become about the slogan. Ninety-nine percent of the population of Canada probably has no idea what rapeseed is … so when you’re trying to attract visitors, tourists and business … it’s all a matter of perception.”
